Free automation investment model
Cobot / Machine Automation ROI Calculator
Separate real cash labor savings from redeployed capacity, monetize only the throughput the plant can actually use, and compare full installed capital cost against maintenance, quality savings, payback and multi-year return.
Simple automation case
Cash vs Redeployed LaborBuild the installed cost and annual benefit
Installed automation investment
Operator impact
Throughput & quality
Annual automation operating cost
Conservative ROI logicCash payback includes only labor savings expected to become actual cash savings, captured throughput value supported by forecast demand, quality-cost savings and annual automation operating cost. Redeployed labor is shown separately as strategic capacity value so the calculator does not pretend every displaced operator instantly disappears from payroll.
Automation Benefit Waterfall
Redeployed labor shown separatelyFrom installed capital to annual cash economics
Labor capture × throughput capture
Cells show steady-state paybackPayback sensitivity if savings are harder to realize
Installed Cost Stack
Where the automation capital is going
Advanced automation case
Cash Flow + NPV + IRRBuild a multi-shift, seven-year investment model
Installed capital stack
Shift labor economics
ShiftOperators beforeOperators afterPaid hours / yrLoaded rateCash captureRedeploy capture
Throughput & quality economics
Recurring cost & cash-flow assumptions
Advanced cash flowYear 0 contains the full installed capital investment. Annual cash benefit includes only cash-captured labor savings, demand-captured throughput value and quality savings, less maintenance/software/utilities. Redeployed labor value stays outside the cash flow. Year 1 and Year 2 benefits are ramped by the entered realization percentages; later years use 100%. Labor, throughput value and operating costs can escalate separately.
7-Year Cash Flow
Years follow entered horizonRamp-up, escalation, refresh capex and residual value
| Year | Cash labor savings | Throughput value | Quality savings | Operating cost | Refresh / residual | Net cash flow | Cumulative cash flow | Discounted cash flow |
|---|
Labor Capture × Throughput Capture
Cells show NPVNPV stress matrix
Shift Labor Ledger
Where cash savings and redeployed capacity come from
| Shift | Operators removed | Gross labor value | Cash savings | Redeployed labor value | Uncaptured redeployment |
|---|
Scope
Automation economics require operational validation
This calculator is a planning model, not a robotics feasibility study or staffing decision engine. Validate cycle time, uptime, changeover, safety, guarding, end-of-arm tooling, process capability, maintenance skills, operator coverage, material presentation and downstream bottlenecks before committing capital. Redeployed labor should not be counted as payroll savings unless it truly becomes an avoided cash expense.