How to Choose the Right Cobot: A Practical Guide for Small Manufacturers
- Blue Sky Robotics
- May 5
- 2 min read
If you’re a small business owner looking to automate manual processes, a cobot — or collaborative robotic arm — is often the most accessible entry point. These systems are designed to work safely alongside people, reduce repetitive strain, and increase consistency in daily operations.
Here’s a streamlined guide to help you select the right solution based on your actual production needs.
1. Define the Application
Start by identifying the task you want to automate:
Material handling
Machine tending
Welding
Inspection
Assembly
Clarify if the task is repetitive, variable, or part of a multi-step workflow. This directly affects what type of cobot and end-of-arm tooling you’ll need.
2. Confirm Payload Requirements
The cobot’s payload must account for the total weight of the part plus the end-effector (gripper, welder, etc.). Always include a safety margin.
Example: If your part weighs 3.5 kg and your gripper is 2 kg, you need a cobot rated for at least 5.5 kg — ideally more, to ensure performance and longevity.
3. Measure the Required Reach
The robot arm must be able to reach all necessary positions within the work area:
Horizontal reach (from the base to the furthest task point)
Vertical reach (if stacking, loading, or reaching over objects)
Include all positions the arm needs to interact with, including pallets, machines, and fixtures.
4. Evaluate Safety Requirements
Cobots are designed with built-in safety features like force limiting and collision detection. However, safety still depends on the application:
Determine if additional safety measures (e.g., area scanners, light curtains) are needed
Evaluate whether your application is classified as collaborative under ISO/TS 15066
Review how close human operators will be to the robot during operation
5. Assess Programming Requirements
Different cobots have different interfaces:
Some offer no-code or low-code drag-and-drop programming
Others require scripting or teach pendant programming
Certain platforms support ROS, Python, or proprietary scripting
Choose based on your team’s technical capabilities and how often the program will need to be updated.
6. Review Integration Needs for your Cobot
Confirm that the cobot is compatible with:
Your end-of-arm tooling
Communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, EtherCAT, Profinet, etc.)
Your production software or machine controllers
Make sure the robot includes the I/O, software support, and mount options needed for integration into your current process.
7. Calculate ROI, Not Just Cost
Beyond upfront costs, consider:
Deployment time
Expected cycle time savings
Impact on labor availability or redeployment
Scrap reduction and product quality improvements
Estimate how many hours or units per month the cobot will impact to build a real ROI timeline.
8. Start with a Pilot, if Possible
Testing the cobot on a single task or station allows you to validate performance before scaling. It also gives your team time to adapt and refine the process.
Summary
Choosing a collaborative robot arm should be a functional decision rooted in your production environment, technical constraints, and business goals. Keep the evaluation focused on task requirements, system compatibility, and measurable impact — not just brand names or specifications on paper.
Need help comparing models or planning a deployment? Let’s talk.
