# Robot-first factory design workflow

canonical_url: https://factory.bz/for-agents/workflow/
content_updated_at: 2026-09-29
language: en
status: Platform concept · Project enquiries

This page describes the intended design workflow. It is not evidence that every stage is currently available as an automated Factory.bz service. The current status of each capability is listed in [Current scope](https://factory.bz/for-agents/#current-scope).

## Stages

### 01 — Define production requirements

Collect the product description or CAD, annual output target, product variants, quality requirements, location and operating constraints. Record missing information explicitly.

### 02 — Co-design the product and process

Assess geometry, materials, assembly sequence, handling and inspection requirements. Identify product changes that may simplify robotic manufacturing (design for robotic manufacturing) and plan the process sequence.

### 03 — Define the robotic system

Consider robot types, tooling and end effectors, payload and reach requirements, control interfaces, machine vision and inspection, maintenance and replacement. Use standard equipment where suitable and define custom requirements — including robot interfaces and work envelope — where justified.

### 04 — Simulate the production system

Test robot motion, material flow, cycle-time assumptions, bottlenecks and alternative layouts in simulation and, where useful, a factory digital twin. Distinguish measured inputs from assumptions and unvalidated estimates.

### 05 — Coordinate the facility

Connect the production layout with building constraints, utilities, storage, autonomous logistics, charging, maintenance access and safety requirements. Facility requirements can in turn change the choice or design of the robots.

### 06 — Assess economics and delivery

Compare investment and operating assumptions (CAPEX and OPEX), capacity scenarios, implementation stages and dependencies. Record uncertainty instead of presenting unsupported cost precision.

### 07 — Build, integrate and commission

Translate the agreed design into equipment and construction requirements. Plan installation, integration, robot programming, testing, production launch and acceptance. Physical execution and approvals require the relevant responsible specialists.

### 08 — Operate and improve

Use operating data to compare the real system with its models, address bottlenecks and plan changes. Update assumptions when products, equipment or production targets change.

## How the stages relate

These stages are iterative. Safety, economics and maintainability affect decisions throughout the workflow, not only at the end.

A simulated result is not a substitute for physical validation. Industrial robots are usually programmed and commissioned; where learning-based robotics is used, model training and validation of its behaviour are part of the relevant engineering scope.

## Related pages

- [Factory.bz: information for AI agents](https://factory.bz/for-agents/) — scope and limitations.
- [Prepare a factory project brief](https://factory.bz/for-agents/project-brief/) — inputs for a first enquiry.