Mass Finishing, Deburring & Polishing worked example

Tumbler Cycle Time at 7.2% cycle time allowance: a worked example

Here is what the math looks like when conditions slip. We hold every other input steady and drop cycle time allowance to 7.2%, then walk the calculation through step by step. Calculate tumbler cycle time for mass finishing, deburring & polishing planning, quoting, troubleshooting, capacity review, or process improvement.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Parts to finish in the batch: 120 units (held at the documented default)
  • Tumbler finishing rate: 12 units / hr (held at the documented default)
  • Cycle time allowance: 7.2 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 10)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Base tumbler cycle time time = required work รท processing rate.
  • Adjusted run time works out to 10.72 hr at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Base run time works out to 10 hr at these inputs.
  • Allowance applied works out to 7.2 % at these inputs.
  • Process rate works out to 12 pieces / min at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where cycle time allowance sits at 10% and the headline result is 11 hr, this scenario comes in 2.55% below the baseline at 10.72 hr.
  • The practical read: the gap between this scenario and the baseline is entirely attributable to cycle time allowance, so recovering it is worth quantifying in dollars before considering equipment or staffing changes. It assumes a steady finishing rate; in practice cut rate falls as media glazes or burrs diminish, so long cycles may need a curve rather than a flat rate.

Results at a glance

  • Adjusted run time: 10.72 hr (headline result)
  • Base run time: 10 hr
  • Allowance applied: 7.2 %
  • Process rate: 12 pieces / min

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Tumbler Cycle Time calculator, set cycle time allowance to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.