Preparing the published article.
Payment Milestones in Robotics Contracts
Payment schedules should follow risk, not the supplier cash flow calendar.
A workable milestone pattern
| Milestone | Typical share |
|---|---|
| Contract signature | 20 to 30 per cent |
| Design freeze and long-lead order | 20 to 30 per cent |
| Factory acceptance test | 20 to 30 per cent |
| Installation complete | 10 to 20 per cent |
| Site acceptance and handover | 10 to 20 per cent |
| Retention after warranty | 5 to 10 per cent |
Protect both sides
- Tie each payment to an observable, testable event.
- Define what happens if a milestone slips.
- Agree the retention period and release conditions in advance.
- Keep variation orders inside the same payment structure.
Payment terms vary by market and supplier. Take local legal advice for large contracts.