Robotics & Automation worked example

Robot Cycle Time at 11% cell allowance: a worked example

This worked example runs the robot cycle time numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 11% cell allowance instead of the typical 15%. Estimate seconds per part for a robotic pick, tend, or assembly cycle from motion steps, step rate, and a realistic cell allowance.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Motion and process steps per part: 12 steps (held at the documented default)
  • Step completion rate: 20 steps / min (held at the documented default)
  • Cell allowance (I/O waits, gripper, minor stops): 11 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 15)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Base robot cycle time = motion and process steps per part / step completion rate.
  • Required robot cycle time works out to 0.67 sec at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Base robot cycle time works out to 0.6 sec at these inputs.
  • Cell allowance applied works out to 11 % at these inputs.
  • Step completion rate works out to 20 pieces / min at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where cell allowance sits at 15% and the headline result is 0.69 sec, this scenario comes in 3.48% below the baseline at 0.67 sec.
  • Use it during cell design, robot selection, or takt-time validation when you need a defensible per-part cycle before committing to a layout or quoting a throughput rate. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Required robot cycle time: 0.67 sec (headline result)
  • Base robot cycle time: 0.6 sec
  • Cell allowance applied: 11 %
  • Step completion rate: 20 pieces / min

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Robot Cycle Time calculator, set cell allowance to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.