Throughput
Robots or Cells for a Target Throughput
Divide the cycle time of one robot or cell by takt time, then round up. That is the count if every station does the same job and runs for the whole window.
A time allowance shortens the takt you design to. Plants use one when they want room for faults, changeovers, or small stops. The percentage on this page is an example input, not a published rate. Set it to 0 to ignore it.
Every number in the fields is an example input. Replace it with a figure from your plant. Nothing you type is saved.
Formula
- Takt time = available time ÷ parts required
- Design target = takt time × (1 − allowance)
- Cells = cycle time ÷ design target, rounded up
Worked example
- Example inputs: the same day as the takt example (90 s takt), a robot or cell cycle of 80 seconds, and a 15 percent time allowance.
- Against full takt, 80 ÷ 90 = 0.89, which rounds up to 1 cell.
- The example allowance shortens the design target to 76.5 s. 80 ÷ 76.5 = 1.05, which rounds up to 2 cells.
- The allowance is an example input, not a measured rate. Set it to 0 to use takt on its own.
Calculator
The fields open on the worked example. Change a number and the result updates.
Related calculators
Questions
Why does the allowance change the count?
The allowance shortens the takt you design to, so the same cycle can round up to another cell. Fifteen percent is the example in the field. It is not a measured industry rate. Set it to 0 to divide cycle time by takt alone.
Does this choose the robot?
No. It estimates how many stations you need if each one takes the cycle time you entered. Reach, payload, and uptime are separate checks.
Free Automation Project Review
If the count depends on a cycle time you are still guessing, that is the useful finding. A free project review can separate a measured station cycle from a hoped-for one. It is not a cell quote.