Glossary · Robotics
Reach
Also known as: Maximum reach, Working range
German: Reichweite
In robotics, reach is the maximum distance a robot can extend from its base axis to its mechanical interface or wrist center, as stated by the manufacturer. It characterizes the size of the robot's workspace.
- Robotics
In one sentence
Reach is the maximum distance a robot can extend from its base to the wrist or flange, a key figure for sizing robot cells.
Example
With a reach of 1,850 mm the robot can serve both the press and the rack, but only when the rack is placed within the drawn working envelope.
How it applies
- Engineering: Reach is quoted to the wrist center or flange; the tool adds to it, which matters when checking the cell layout and guard positions.
- Commissioning: Positions near the edge of reach limit tool orientation and speed; layouts should leave margin.
- Documentation: The documentation team should say to which point reach is measured and include the working envelope drawing. Robot reach is a product characteristic and must not be confused with the Reach distance used for guard design.
Reach vs. reach distance
Robot reach describes how far the robot extends. Reach distance in machine safety describes how far a person can reach over, through or around a guard toward a hazard zone. Both translate into German with Reichweite, so qualify the term in the terminology database.