Glossary · Manufacturing systems
Cycle time
Also known as: Machine cycle time, Operation cycle time
German: Zykluszeit
In manufacturing, cycle time is the time a machine, station or process needs to complete one cycle, such as producing one part or one batch, from the start of one unit to the start of the next.
- Manufacturing systems
In one sentence
Cycle time is the time a machine, station or process needs to complete one cycle, such as one part, from start to start.
Example
The injection molding machine has a cycle time of 28 seconds per shot with four cavities.
How it applies
- Engineering: Cycle time is designed and measured per station. For a balanced line, every station's cycle time must be at or below the Takt time.
- Operation: Cycle time deviations are an early sign of problems; slower cycles cause Performance loss in OEE.
- Ambiguity: In PLC programming, 'cycle time' also means the scan time of the PLC program, and in lean management some authors use it for the total lead time. Clarify the meaning in each document.
- Documentation: State cycle times with their conditions (product, material, parameter set). Specifications and acceptance tests should define how cycle time is measured.
Cycle time vs. takt time
Cycle time is what a station actually needs. Takt time is what customer demand requires: available time divided by required quantity. If cycle time exceeds takt time, demand can't be met without overtime or more capacity.