# Cobot Procurement Guide for Furniture CNC Automation



## Slide 1


COBOT PROCUREMENT
GUIDE FOR FURNITURE
CNC AUTOMATION

A Staff Toolkit for Evaluating Shenzhen Robot
Consultants & Selecting the Right Collaborative Robot

JULY 2026  /  FURNITURE MANUFACTURING


## Slide 2


YOUR EVALUATION ROADMAP

What's Inside

01

Our CNC Tending Challenge

Understanding what we need to automate and why a cobot is the right solution for our furniture plant

02

Robot Selection Guide

How to match the right cobot model to our furniture panels, reach requirements, and budget

03

Evaluating Shenzhen Consultants

How to find, vet, and select the right robot integrator among Shenzhen's 40+ specialists

04

Business Case & ROI

The numbers that justify this investment: costs, payback timelines, and expected production gains


## Slide 3


01

OUR CNC TENDING CHALLENGE

Understanding what we need to automate and why a cobot is the right solution


## Slide 4


What We Are Automating: CNC Loading & Unloading

Our Process Today
Operators manually load raw wood panels into CNC routers, wait for the cutting/drilling cycle, then unload finished parts. This creates several problems:
▶  Operator fatigue from repetitive lifting of 10–40kg panels
▶  Inconsistent loading affects cut quality and increases scrap
▶  Dust exposure during manual handling
▶  Spindle idle time — machines wait for the next panel
The Cobot Solution
A cobot cell sits beside the CNC machine, picks panels from a feeder, loads them precisely, waits for the cycle, then unloads — all without human intervention.

60%

Current Spindle Utilization

90%

With Cobot Tending

+50%

More Output Potential

24/7

Lights-Out Possible

04


## Slide 5


Furniture Panel Weight Determines Robot Size

Required Payload = (Panel Weight + Gripper Weight) x 1.25 Safety Factor

Recommended Robot Payload

Component Type | Panel Wt. | Robot

Small parts | ~3 kg | 5-7 kg

Cabinet sides / shelves | ~9 kg | 10-12 kg

Wardrobe doors / tops | ~20 kg | 20-30 kg

Full sheets / countertops | ~36-50 kg | 40-60 kg

Key Insight: 70-80% of our production falls in the 3-20kg range — perfect for a 10-12kg collaborative robot.

05


## Slide 6


02

ROBOT SELECTION GUIDE

How to match the right cobot model to our furniture panels and budget


## Slide 7


Top 6 Cobot Models for Our Application

Model | Brand | Origin | Payload | Reach | Repeatability | Price (USD) | Best For

CR10 | Dobot | Shenzhen | 10 kg | 1,300 mm | ±0.02 mm | $15K–$25K | Medium panels, ease of use

CS612 | Elite | China | 12 kg | 1,304 mm | ±0.05 mm | $18K–$32K | Heavier panels, IP65 rated

Zu 12 | JAKA | China | 12 kg | 1,327 mm | ±0.03 mm | $12K–$36K | Compact cells, app-based

i10 | AUBO | China | 10 kg | 1,350 mm | ±0.02 mm | $14K–$38K | Open architecture

UR10e | UR | Denmark | 10 kg | 1,300 mm | ±0.03 mm | $35K–$45K | Widest ecosystem

CRX-10iA/L | FANUC | Japan | 10 kg | 1,418 mm | ±0.02 mm | $35K–$50K | Deep CNC integration

Recommendation |  |  |  |  |  | Start with 10-12kg | Chinese cobot first

Our Pick: Dobot CR10 (Shenzhen-based, 55,000+ units shipped, 100+ countries, user-friendly programming, competitive pricing)

07


## Slide 8


Chinese vs. International Brands: What You Get

Factor-by-Factor Comparison

Factor | Chinese Brands | Western Brands

Hardware Cost (10kg) | $12K–$38K | $35K–$50K

Complete Cell Cost | $29K–$58K | $57K–$97K

Safety Fencing | Minimal / None | Minimal / None

Programming | Intuitive, drag-and-drop | Moderate complexity

Integration Time | 1–2 days to weeks | Weeks to months

Spare Parts Availability | Fast from Shenzhen | Slower, higher cost

Best For | First automation, SMEs | High-volume, dedicated

Complete Cell Cost Comparison

Bottom Line: Chinese cobots offer 30–50% cost savings with comparable payload, reach, and repeatability. For our first automation project, they are the lower-risk, higher-ROI choice.

08


## Slide 9


Complete Cell Cost: $29K–$58K for Chinese Cobot Solution

BUDGET

~$30,000

✓  10kg Chinese cobot (Dobot/JAKA)
✓  Single vacuum gripper
✓  Basic tray feeder
✓  Basic I/O interface
✓  Standard safety
✓  Basic integration
✓  1-day training
Good for: First automation, proving ROI, single machine

STANDARD — RECOMMENDED

~$45,000

✓  12kg Chinese cobot (Elite/JAKA)
✓  Dual gripper system
✓  Drawer magazine (160-250 parts)
✓  Ethernet machine interface
✓  Area scanner safety
✓  Full integration + programming
✓  3-day comprehensive training
Good for: Production scale-up, longer unattended runs

PREMIUM

~$58,000

✓  Multi-machine tending
✓  Advanced vision system
✓  Automated conveyor feeder
✓  Full PLC integration
✓  Complete safety enclosure
✓  Turnkey installation
✓  On-site training + support
Good for: High-volume dedicated lines

Additional Costs: Shipping to Philippines ~$500–$1,500  |  Import duty: 0% under RCEP for BOI-registered enterprises  |  On-site commissioning: ~$1,500–$3,000


## Slide 10


03

EVALUATING SHENZHEN CONSULTANTS

How to find, vet, and select the right robot integrator in Shenzhen


## Slide 11


The Shenzhen Robot Ecosystem: 40+ Integrators Ready to Help

The "Shenzhen Army"
Shenzhen has over 40 established system integrators — the largest and most advanced contingent in China. These companies don't just sell robot arms — they analyze your process, match the right robot, design custom end-of-arm tooling, handle PLC programming, and deliver turnkey solutions.
Shenzhen-Based Manufacturers
Dobot — 55,000+ units shipped to 100+ countries. Contact: sales@dobot-robots.com
Han's Robot — Cobots 3-12kg, CE certified
Inovance — Full automation ecosystem (PLC, servo, CNC)
Key Integrators to Contact
Leibo Technology, Lianshuo Automation, Orange Automation, Siprui Robot, Jashi Robot, Rongde Robot, Shengterida

40+

System Integrators

100+

Countries Exported To

55K+

Dobot Units Shipped Globally

First Contact: Dobot — sales@dobot-robots.com  |  Website: dobot-robots.com  |  Listed on HK Stock Exchange (SEHK: 2432)

11


## Slide 12


Evaluation Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask Every Consultant

1. Experience: Have you done CNC tending for furniture or woodworking before? Ask for photos, videos, or references.

2. Robot Recommendation: What models do you recommend for our panel sizes and why? They should explain payload/reach calculations.

3. References: Can you provide references from Southeast Asia or similar furniture manufacturers?

4. Quotation Detail: Is your quote line-itemized? It must include robot, gripper, feeder, interface, safety, integration, and training.

5. Installation Support: Do you provide on-site commissioning at our Philippines facility? What does it cost?

6. Warranty & Parts: What is the warranty period? How quickly can you ship spare parts to the Philippines?

7. Language: Can your team communicate in English? Are manuals and programming interfaces available in English?

8. Lead Time: What is the production and shipping timeline from order to delivery at our facility?

9. Certifications: Do you provide CE certification, export documentation, and HS codes for Philippine customs?

10. Training: What operator training do you provide? Is it included in the price or an extra cost?

Pro Tip: Document all answers in writing. Ask for a video call to see their facility. Request a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report before shipment.

12


## Slide 13


Red Flags: Warning Signs to Walk Away

Cannot explain payload/reach calculations — they don't understand your application

No reference installations or video proof of similar projects

Vague quotation — no line-item breakdown of components and costs

No CE certification or export documentation experience

Requires 100% payment upfront — standard is 30-50% deposit

Cannot provide English documentation or communication

Unrealistic ROI promises — e.g., "payback in 1 month"

No remote technical support capability after installation

How to Verify a Supplier Online

▶  On Alibaba / Made-in-China: Look for Trade Assurance, Verified Manufacturer badges, and video documentation of systems in operation
▶  Request a video call before placing any order — see their facility and team
▶  Start with a small purchase (single robot arm) before committing to a full integrated cell
▶  Check if they have export experience to Southeast Asia — ask for shipping records or customer references

13


## Slide 14


04

BUSINESS CASE & ROI

The numbers that justify this investment to management


## Slide 15


Complete Cell Cost: $29K–$58K for Chinese Cobot Solution

BUDGET

~$30,000

✓  10kg Chinese cobot (Dobot/JAKA)
✓  Single vacuum gripper
✓  Basic tray feeder
✓  Basic I/O interface
✓  Standard safety
✓  Basic integration
✓  1-day training
Good for: First automation, proving ROI, single machine

STANDARD — RECOMMENDED

~$45,000

✓  12kg Chinese cobot (Elite/JAKA)
✓  Dual gripper system
✓  Drawer magazine (160-250 parts)
✓  Ethernet machine interface
✓  Area scanner safety
✓  Full integration + programming
✓  3-day comprehensive training
Good for: Production scale-up, longer unattended runs

PREMIUM

~$58,000

✓  Multi-machine tending
✓  Advanced vision system
✓  Automated conveyor feeder
✓  Full PLC integration
✓  Complete safety enclosure
✓  Turnkey installation
✓  On-site training + support
Good for: High-volume dedicated lines

Additional Costs: Shipping to Philippines ~$500–$1,500  |  Import duty: 0% under RCEP for BOI-registered enterprises  |  On-site commissioning: ~$1,500–$3,000


## Slide 16


ROI: 9-Month Payback with 30–50% More Output

9 Months

Payback Period
(Chinese Cobot Cell)

60% → 90%

Spindle Utilization
(+30–40% more output)

$6K–$10K

Annual Labor Savings
(per machine, 2 shifts)

50–80%

Scrap Reduction
(consistent loading)

Cumulative ROI Over 18 Months

Additional Benefits

▶  Lights-out production — run overnight and weekends with no labor cost
▶  Eliminate repetitive strain injuries from lifting heavy panels
▶  Reduce dust exposure for operators
▶  Free skilled workers for quality inspection and maintenance
▶  Consistent cut quality — precise panel positioning every cycle
▶  Scale easily — replicate the cell across multiple CNC machines

16


## Slide 17


Implementation Roadmap: Decision to Production in 8 Weeks

WEEK 1

Assessment

Document CNC model, panel sizes, cycle times. Share photos/videos of current process with integrator.

WEEKS 1-2

Design & Quote

Integrator proposes robot, gripper, feeder config. Review quotation line-by-line. Negotiate terms.

WEEKS 2-6

Production

15-25 working days. Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) with 72-hour continuous operation validation.

WEEKS 6-8

Shipping

5-10 days ocean freight to Philippines. 3-7 days customs clearance with complete documentation.

WEEK 8

Installation

Position workstation, connect cables, install gripper, load program. 1-2 days with pre-configured system.

WEEKS 8-9

Training

Train 2-3 operators on robot operation, program modification, and troubleshooting procedures.

What to Prepare Before Contacting Suppliers

✓  CNC machine brand and model number
✓  Controller brand (Fanuc, Siemens, etc.)
✓  Typical panel sizes and weights you process
✓  Current cycle times per operation
✓  Number of shifts and operators per machine

✓  Photos of the CNC machine and surrounding area
✓  Available floor space beside the machine
✓  Door opening mechanism (swing/slide/automatic)
✓  Your budget range and target timeline
✓  Power supply specifications (voltage, frequency)

17


## Slide 18


READY TO START?

YOUR NEXT STEPS

1

Document your CNC machine model, panel sizes, and cycle times

2

Contact Dobot at sales@dobot-robots.com for initial assessment

3

Attend ARE Shenzhen Expo, Aug 26-28, 2026 to meet integrators

4

Budget $30K-$50K for first cell, expect 9-month ROI

"The best time to automate was yesterday. The second-best time is now."

Cobot Procurement Guide  /  Furniture Manufacturing  /  July 2026