Preparing the published article.
Payload, Reach and Inertia: Matching a Robot to the Job
A robot is chosen by load, geometry and dynamics together, not by payload alone.
Four matching checks
| Check | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Payload | Tool, part, cables and fixtures, with a margin |
| Reach | The whole path, plus the tooling and part envelope |
| Inertia | Moment of inertia around each axis at speed |
| Accuracy | Repeatability and absolute accuracy at the working point |
Common mistakes
- Counting only the part weight and ignoring the gripper.
- Taking reach from a catalogue diagram rather than the real cell.
- Ignoring how far the centre of mass sits from the mounting flange.
- Assuming payload limits apply equally at every speed and reach.
Confirm the final selection against the manufacturer load diagrams for the actual tooling.