Takt time is the maximum time allowed to produce a product to meet customer demand. It is calculated by dividing the net available production time by the customer demand over that period. The formula is [latex]T = \frac{T_a}{D}[/latex], where T is the Takt time, Ta is the net available time, and D is the customer demand.
Takt Time Calculation Formula
- German aircraft industry engineers
- Toyota Motor Corporation
The Takt time formula, [latex]T = \frac{T_a}{D}[/latex], is a cornerstone of lean production systems. Its components must be carefully defined for an accurate calculation. ‘Net Available Time’ ([latex]T_a[/latex]) is not simply the total shift time; it is the time that is genuinely available for production. This means subtracting planned stops such as breaks, team meetings, and scheduled maintenance. Unplanned downtime is typically not subtracted from Ta, as its occurrence is a problem to be solved, and including it would artificially inflate the Takt time, masking the underlying issue. ‘Customer Demand’ (D) refers to the number of units the customer requires within the specified time period. This figure should be based on actual sales or orders, not production forecasts, to ensure the system is truly pulled by the customer.
The result of the calculation is a unit of time per piece (e.g., seconds per unit). This value represents the heartbeat of the production system. Every workstation in the production process is then designed and balanced to complete its tasks within this time. If a station’s cycle time exceeds the Takt time, it becomes a bottleneck, unable to keep up with customer demand. Conversely, a cycle time significantly below the Takt time indicates excess capacity, which can lead to overproduction, a primary form of waste in lean philosophy. Therefore, the formula provides a clear, objective target for process design and continuous improvement activities.
Type
Disruption
Usage
Precursors
- principles of scientific management by Frederick Winslow Taylor
- assembly line concepts pioneered by Henry Ford
- early industrial engineering time and motion studies
- the need for synchronized production in the German aircraft industry of the 1930s
Applications
- production line balancing
- lean manufacturing systems
- just-in-time (JIT) inventory management
- workload balancing in cellular manufacturing
- service industry workflow design (e.g., call centers)
Patents:
Potential Innovations Ideas
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Historical Context
Takt Time Calculation Formula
(if date is unknown or not relevant, e.g. "fluid mechanics", a rounded estimation of its notable emergence is provided)
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