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When it comes to optimizing their core production operations, companies in the manufacturing business must be able to gain control over idle and production cycle times. Although onerous and overwhelming without automation, this task becomes significantly easier to fulfill with the help of high-end production planning and scheduling software modules. In order to increase production throughput by lowering cycle times, a company first needs to be able to identify, measure, and track these variables at all levels of its production line. This involves undergoing a thorough process of production tracking, followed by accurate measurements and calculations aimed at eliminating lost time, reducing operating costs and increasing production. State-of-the-art production scheduling and planning software can help a lot in all of these areas, and with minimum financial expense and effort. Understanding Production Cycle Times In the field of manufacturing, there is a cycle time for the finished product, and one for each separate operation in the production line. In essence, cycle times are nothing more than the amounts of time it takes to complete particular work tasks. Despite being an easy concept to understand, many companies tend to overlook cycle time issues because examining each production stage for cycle time-related deficiencies can entail many drawbacks. However, with the right production planning and scheduling software solution, the task of optimizing cycle times can be concentrated in just four simple steps: 1. Logging Initial Cycle Times Before a company can begin calculating cycle times, it first needs to capture their original values as accurately as possible. Logging these initial times and identifying their flaws sets the stage for future cost reductions by eliminating the causes of downtime. 2. Making the Correct Adjustments Once all relevant cycle time values have been gathered, with the aid of dedicated software it is easy to pinpoint the main sources of lost times and eliminate them from the picture. In most situations, lost times are the result of using old, faulty machinery or of issuing unclear production instructions/confusing work orders. Yet, the list with potential reasons for high cycle times is much broader than that. In order to be able to identify any probable cause, you will need to make sure that all the initial data you collect is accurate. 3. Taking a New Set of Cycle Time Values Next, it is necessary to take a new set of times in production while excluding the sources of downtime identified during the initial trial. Although at this step you may still spot some discrepancies and fluctuating data, the flaws that emerge here should be less significant than before. If during this second measurement you still get unusually high lost times, repeat the process from the very beginning and pay attention for any missed sources of downtime. 4. Comparing Values and Determining the Median Cycle Time The final step in production tracking involves comparing previously logged values and determining the median cycle time, which will indicate the ideal time needed for each manufacturing operation in your production line. With the help of dedicated production planning and scheduling software, as well as other similar automated modules, companies can optimize operations and increase their production throughput substantially. However, note that the evaluation described here is not a one-time event. To avoid other potential delays in production and maintain a smooth, optimum chain of operations in your manufacturing process, you will need to undergo these steps on a regular basis and redress any eventual issues before they escalate. For more resources about production tracking or about production planning software or even about production scheduling software, please review these links.
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