I've priced an FR10 and gripper for 104 small enclosures, but my fixture and staff-time figures are vague. My colleague is understandably unconvinced. What small pilot would let us compare the complete tray-loading work instead of defending two different versions of the budget?
Start by agreeing the incoming condition and finished result together, then time the present manual job. For the pilot, include tray preparation, setup, interruptions and the people helping. I'd also agree what would make you stop or narrow the proposal before either of you gets attached to a demonstration.
We have agreed to compare from loose enclosures to completed trays and keep fixture development separate from recurring labour. My colleague also wants my own assistance counted, which is fair. Thanks for making the baseline an actual job rather than just an arm cycle.
Your assistance belongs there, especially if you are the only person who can recover an awkward setup. I'd have a second intended operator involved in the reviewed pilot. Not to prove independence in one session, just to expose support work your familiarity may hide.
That is now in the proposed scope, with training time visible. We have not run the pilot or agreed the fixture cost yet, so I have withdrawn the payback claim from my first estimate.