Production worked example

Cycle Time with available shift time of 1,200 min: a worked example

This scenario runs the cycle time calculation on the strong side: available shift time of 1,200 min, with every other input held at its documented default. Use when a line needs to prove whether it is on pace.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Available shift time: 1,200 min (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 480)
  • Breaks & meetings: 30 min (unchanged)
  • Planned downtime: 20 min (unchanged)
  • Customer demand: 1,200 units / shift (unchanged)
  • Actual units produced: 1,100 units (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Net available time = Shift − Breaks − Planned downtime) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 62.73 sec / unit for cycle time, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 57.5 sec / unit for takt time.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 57.39 units / hr for throughput.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,150 min / shift for net time.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 91.67 % of takt for utilization.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where available shift time sits at 480 min and the headline result is 23.45 sec / unit, this scenario comes in 167% above the baseline at 62.73 sec / unit.
  • Use it when an assembly, packaging, or conveyor-fed line needs to prove whether actual output is keeping pace with customer demand. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Cycle time: 62.73 sec / unit (headline result)
  • Takt time: 57.5 sec / unit
  • Throughput: 57.39 units / hr
  • Net time: 1,150 min / shift
  • Utilization: 91.67 % of takt

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Cycle Time calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.