Cycle Time Fundamentals
Where the seconds go
| Element | Typical source of loss |
|---|---|
| Motion | Unnecessary travel and reorientation |
| Gripping | Open, close and confirm time |
| Sensing | Trigger, exposure, processing |
| Communication | PLC handshakes and waits |
| Process | Welding, dispensing or curing |
| Recovery | Purge, clean and reset cycles |
How to improve it
- Remove movement rather than speeding it up.
- Hide robot time behind machine time where possible.
- Measure the real cell, not the simulated model.
Cycle time claims should be verified on the installed cell under production conditions.