Cycle Time

The total time required for a process or operation to complete from start to finish, measured using RTLS tracking. RTLS provides objective, automated measurement by tracking items through process stages. Captures data for every item enabling comprehensive analysis of averages, variability, outliers, and trends. Enables lean manufacturing initiatives and process optimization.

Duration required to complete a defined process or operation, measured using RTLS by tracking asset movement through process steps. In manufacturing, cycle time encompasses material movement from work center to work center, processing time at each station, queue time waiting for next operation, and transport time between operations. RTLS enables automated cycle time measurement by defining geofences around process zones and recording timestamps when assets enter/exit each zone.

Key cycle time metrics include: individual step cycle times, total end-to-end cycle time, cycle time distribution (identifying variability and outliers), and cycle time trends over shifts, days, or weeks.

Typical industrial cycle times vary widely: automotive assembly 1-3 minutes per station, discrete manufacturing 10-60 minutes per operation, batch chemical processes hours to days. RTLS-measured cycle times reveal opportunities for improvement: excessive queue times indicate capacity imbalances, high variability suggests inconsistent processes, and increasing trends signal degrading performance. Reducing cycle time 10-30% is common outcome of RTLS-driven process optimization by identifying and eliminating bottlenecks.