Engineering selection guide
A pedestal height should come from the work the robot must perform. Starting with a convenient steel tube length can leave the wrist near a joint limit, the elbow against a guard, or the tool struggling to enter the fixture. Establish the robot base elevation in your cell layout before freezing the pedestal drawing.
Start with the exact robot and tool
Record the complete robot designation, mounting orientation, tool length and mass, workpiece mass, and centre of gravity. “IRB 1600” alone is not a complete selection. The current Techmatix trial catalogue includes an ABB IRB 1600-6/1.45 mounting reference. Do not silently substitute a different payload, reach or robot revision.
Use the applicable ABB IRB 1600/1660ID product specification for the robot envelope, load information and mounting requirements. A mounting-pattern reference identifies an interface; it does not validate the complete pedestal.
Compare base elevations in the cell model
- Set one floor datum. Position the fixtures, conveyor, machine opening and target points at their actual installed elevations.
- Include the real tool. Model its gripping point, approach direction, hoses and clearance envelope. Check loaded and unloaded travel.
- Test each candidate elevation. Run the approach, working stroke, withdrawal, transfer and home position. Inspect the swept volume of the complete arm, not only the tool tip.
- Inspect the difficult positions. Deep reaches into a machine, low picks beside the pedestal and work near maximum extension often determine the choice.
- Check access. Leave room for robot bolts, cable connectors, anchor tightening, inspection and future removal.
A practical first comparison
| Layout finding | What to investigate |
|---|---|
| The arm reaches over a machine edge poorly | Compare a higher base and a different robot-to-machine offset; assess the entire transfer path. |
| Low picks need awkward wrist or elbow positions | Compare a lower base or reposition the work station before adding more height. |
| Several elevations reach every target | Compare joint margins, path clearance, cycle simulation, service access and structural demand. |
A point inside a drawn reach envelope is only an initial screening result. The required tool orientation and continuous motion path still need checking in robot simulation.
Freeze the height definition before requesting a quote
State whether height means pedestal underside to robot seating face or finished floor to robot seating face. Grout, levelling provisions and an adapter can change the installed elevation. Keep these dimensions separate so fabrication and installation do not each add the same allowance.
Increasing height changes the load path and flexibility, so carry the selected elevation into the pedestal and foundation review. ABB distinguishes operating and stopping loads and gives foundation requirements; these are separate from a successful reach study.
Try the layout now: the Techmatix robot pedestal configurator offers trial heights of 600, 800, 1000 and 1200 mm. Download the selected STEP and dimensional PDF after the contact form, then include the chosen reference and robot details in your enquiry. Production models are in development; trial files are for concept review, not manufacturing release.