Preparing the published article.
Total Cost of Ownership in Robot RFQs
Purchase price is the smallest part of most robot project budgets.
Cost lines to request
| Cost line | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Integration and installation | Often 30 to 60 per cent of project cost |
| Tooling and fixtures | Project specific and rarely reusable |
| Training | Needed for operators, maintenance and engineering |
| Spares and consumables | Grinders, grippers, filters and belts |
| Service contract | Response time, coverage hours and exclusions |
| Energy and compressed air | Recurring and easy to underestimate |
| Downtime risk | Cost of an hour of lost production |
How to compare quotes
- Normalise every quote to the same scope and the same service level.
- Ask for the service contract as a separate line, not bundled.
- Request a five-year total rather than a first-year total.
- Put the assumptions in writing so they can be tested later.
Any comparison is only meaningful when the scope of supply matches.