CNC Machining calculator
Lights-Out Machining Capacity Calculator
Use this calculator to estimate how many good parts a CNC machine or cell can produce for lights-out machining capacity. It makes the capacity effect of cycles, uptime, and yield explicit for scheduling and quoting.
What this calculator does
- Estimate unattended CNC output from pallet capacity, unattended cycles, uptime, and expected first-pass yield.
- estimating lights-out machining capacity for production planning, quoting, staffing, or automation review
- The result is expected good parts from the unattended machining window.
Formula used
- Gross lights-out machining capacity = unattended parts per cycle × lights-out cycles available
- Good lights-out machining capacity = gross capacity × unattended uptime expectation × lights-out first-pass yield
Inputs explained
- unattended parts per cycle: Use the number of sellable or accepted parts completed each cycle, pallet, bar pull, or fixture load.
- lights-out cycles available: Use the number of cycles available in the shift, batch, unattended window, or planning period.
- unattended uptime expectation: Use expected availability after setups, alarms, tool changes, maintenance, and operator coverage are considered.
- lights-out first-pass yield: Use expected good-part yield after scrap, rework, inspection rejects, and first-article risk.
How to use the result
- Use it when planning overnight production, pallet pools, bar feeders, robotics, or unattended cell capacity.
- Treat the result as a planning estimate until it is verified against the actual CNC program, machine limits, toolholder rigidity, coolant delivery, workholding, material condition, inspection data, and shop-floor trial results.
Common questions
- What is the lights-out machining capacity calculator for? It estimates good-part capacity for lights-out machining capacity after uptime and yield assumptions.
- What information should I enter? Use parts per cycle, available cycles, uptime, and yield from the same machine, fixture, and schedule period.
- What does the result tell me? The result is expected good parts from the unattended machining window.
- When is the result only an estimate? Treat the result as a planning estimate until it is verified against the actual CNC program, machine limits, toolholder rigidity, coolant delivery, workholding, material condition, inspection data, and shop-floor trial results.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.