From welding to painting, here’s when you’ll see your cobot investment turn profitable.
Collaborative robots (cobots) are a big investment—but when deployed strategically, they can deliver fast and measurable returns. Whether you’re automating welding, assembly, packaging, or painting, understanding your break-even timeline is crucial. In this article, we analyze key applications and show you how to calculate your ROI using a simple, proven framework.
What Impacts ROI for Cobots?
Several variables influence ROI:
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Labor cost savings
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Increase in output or yield
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Downtime reduction
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Maintenance savings
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Initial investment (hardware + integration)
When these elements align, many companies see ROI in under 12 months—especially in high-volume environments.
Application Breakdown: How Fast Will You Break Even?
Welding Applications
Cobot welding boosts consistency, lowers defect rates, and reduces labor fatigue.
Average ROI Timeline: 8 months
Bonus: Reduced rework and scrap can improve profit margins by up to 15%.
Painting Applications
Painting tasks benefit from cobot precision but often require complex programming and strict safety.
Average ROI Timeline: 14 months
Note: Regulatory compliance and setup costs may slow payback but improve long-term savings.
Assembly/Packaging Applications
These high-speed, repetitive tasks offer quick deployment and high ROI potential.
Average ROI Timeline: 6–9 months