BIZOMAT Tools · Manufacturing
Machine Load
How heavily loaded is this machine?
Compares the machine hours needed for demand with the hours available.
Open the calculatorRuns in your browser. No account needed.
How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Demand / period | units | Units required in the period |
| Cycle time | min/unit | Cycle time per unit on this machine |
| Available machine hours | hr | Scheduled machine hours in the period |
| Efficiency | % | Demonstrated machine efficiency |
What each input means
Open an input to see what it is, its units, the worked example and the common mistakes, with a small diagram.
What this means: Demand / period
- What it is
- The number of units this machine must produce in the period, from orders or the production plan.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in units: a count of units. The form accepts 0 units or more.
- Example
- The form opens with 5000 units as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Required hours and utilisation rise in proportion.
- Get it right
- If several part numbers share the machine, run each one and add up the required hours.
What this means: Cycle time
- What it is
- The machine time to produce one unit of this part, measured on the machine or taken from the routing.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in min/unit: min/unit. The form accepts 0 min/unit or more.
- Example
- The form opens with 1.8 min/unit as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Required hours rise in proportion.
- Get it right
- Enter minutes per unit. Include set-up time here or in efficiency, but not both.
What this means: Available machine hours
- What it is
- The scheduled hours the machine is planned to run in the period, from the shift pattern minus planned shutdowns.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in hr: hours. The form accepts 0.1 hr or more.
- Example
- The form opens with 180 hr as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- More hours lower utilisation.
- Get it right
- Use scheduled hours for the same period as the demand.
What this means: Efficiency
- What it is
- The share of machine time that turns into good output after breakdowns, set-ups, slow running and scrap, from recent records.
- Units and format
- Enter a number in %: percent: the number is read as a percentage, so type 8 for 8 %. The form accepts 1% to 100%.
- Example
- The form opens with 85% as a worked example. It is an illustration, not a recommended value: replace it with your own figure.
- Effect on the result
- Lower efficiency raises the required hours.
- Get it right
- Use a demonstrated figure, not the target. Type the percentage (85 for 85 %).
Method and formulas
- Required hours = demand × cycle ÷ 60 ÷ efficiency
- Utilisation = required ÷ available
Limitations
- Set-up time must be in cycle time or efficiency
- One part number at a time
Typical uses
- Monthly loading checks
- Deciding whether to move work between machines
Who it is for
- Planners
- Production managers
What you get
- AVAILABLE, TIGHT or OVERLOADED
- Required hours, utilisation and buffer
Interpreting the result
- Add the load of all parts sharing the machine
BIZOMAT tools are screening and decision-support utilities. Verify important financial, engineering, safety, legal or operational decisions using appropriate professional standards and your organisation’s approved data.