1. What is Workstation Cycle Time?

Workstation cycle time is the time it takes for a product to move through one workstation in a production line. It's a critical metric in manufacturing and process design that helps balance production lines and identify bottlenecks.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Total Task Time — Sum of all task times in the process (seconds)
• Number of Workstations — Total workstations in the production line

Explanation: This calculation shows the average time each workstation takes to complete its portion of the work.

3. Importance of Cycle Time Calculation

Details: Calculating cycle time helps optimize production flow, balance workloads across stations, and identify opportunities for process improvement.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total sum of all task times in seconds and the number of workstations. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between cycle time and takt time?
A: Cycle time measures actual production speed, while takt time is the required speed to meet customer demand.

Q2: How can I reduce cycle time?
A: Methods include task balancing, eliminating non-value-added steps, improving tools/equipment, and training operators.

Q3: What's a good cycle time?
A: Ideal cycle time depends on your production requirements, but it should be consistent and slightly faster than takt time.

Q4: Should I include wait time in task time?
A: For accurate cycle time calculations, include only value-added time and necessary non-value-added time (like machine processing).

Q5: How does this relate to line balancing?
A: Cycle time helps identify imbalanced workstations - stations with longer cycle times than others become bottlenecks.