Robotics & Automation worked example

Robot Reach Margin with rated robot reach of 36 in: a worked example

This worked example runs the robot reach margin numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: rated robot reach of 36 in instead of the typical 71 in. Estimate inches of reach margin between rated robot reach and the farthest required TCP point in the workcell, with percent reporting.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Rated robot reach (max envelope): 36 in (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 71)
  • Farthest required TCP point: 66 in (held at the documented default)
  • Reference reach for percent basis: 71 in (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Reach margin = rated robot reach - farthest required TCP point.
  • Reach margin works out to -30 in margin at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Reach margin percent works out to -42.25 % at these inputs.
  • Rated robot reach works out to 36 value at these inputs.
  • Farthest required TCP point works out to 66 value at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where rated robot reach sits at 71 in and the headline result is 5 in margin, this scenario comes in 700% below the baseline at -30 in margin.
  • Use it while placing the robot base, fixtures, and infeed in a layout, or when validating that a proposed arm can serve every point in the work envelope. 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

  • Reach margin: -30 in margin (headline result)
  • Reach margin percent: -42.25 %
  • Rated robot reach: 36 value
  • Farthest required TCP point: 66 value

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Robot Reach Margin calculator, set rated robot reach to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.