I have robotics on my system. My 1st system was only 9" throat so I turned my quilt for the sides. Then I got a larger throat machine (18") and still turned my quilt as I just didn't think I was capable of piecing my patterns together correctly. Since then I've acquired a 26" throat machine and have finally decided to learn how to "chunk" my side patterns. What this means is piecing them together as I advance my quilt. If the pattern is too intricate to chunk, then I will turn the quilt. Think only one pattern gave me fits and had to turn it............a baptist fan. I use ProQ Designer program to lay out my quilt patterns so I can see what it will all look like.............or supposed to look like when I'm done. Right now Ellen Munnich is giving lessons online once a week showing us all the little tricks of the program. Some of her videos are for those without robotics so you might want to check out her videos just the same........
http://munnichdesign.com/index.htm
It sure has helped me layout my patterns better if nothing else.