About this calculator
Capacity is the maximum output a machine, cell or line can produce in a given time. It is the basic number behind production planning, quoting delivery dates and deciding whether to add a shift or a machine. Compare it with customer demand: if demand is higher than capacity, you need more time, more machines or a shorter cycle time.
Formula
Capacity per day = (Available time ÷ Cycle time) × Machines × Efficiency
Capacity per hour = Capacity per day ÷ Available hours. Effective time per part = Cycle time ÷ (Machines × Efficiency).
All times must be in the same unit (the calculator converts them for you).
Worked example
A machine has a 45 s cycle time and 7 h of available time per day.
- Theoretical capacity = 25 200 s ÷ 45 s = 560 parts/day (80 parts/hour)
- At 85% OEE = 560 × 0.85 = 476 parts/day
- With 2 identical machines at 85% = 952 parts/day
- Over 6 working days at 85% with 1 machine = 2856 parts/week
Assumptions and limitations
- For a production line, use the cycle time of the slowest station (the bottleneck) — the line cannot run faster than it.
- Machines in parallel are assumed identical and fully staffed.
- Results are averages and are not rounded to whole parts. Changeovers longer than normal, material shortages and absenteeism reduce real output.
References
- Standard production-capacity relation used in operations management texts.