Takt Time

[Nirmala]

What is the best way to calculate takt-time for multiple product types? In general definition of takt-time, only one single product type is accounted for.

[Rohit Trivedi]

In pull systems, the customer demand rate is translated into takt time, which is used to control the pace of the production line (Productivity Press Development Team, 2002)
In real world, two things play a vital role in determining takt time:
1. Serial V/S Parallel Flow
2. Product Mix
How should you determine the takt time in such situation? In these conditions, simple mathematical models, process mapping, or calculations do not help. Instead, discrete-event simulation can be used to predict the system behavior, and hence determine the optimal takt time.

[Kiran R Mahajan]

To be precise,

Takt Time = St. Production Time in Seconds Per shift / Products produced per shift.

As an example, 7.8 Hrs in seconds / 310 products = 90.58 Seconds.

Your question does not specify if you have a single line or more than 1 lines to manufacture different product types. If you use a single line to produce more product types, the TT is/can be kept same using the above formula, the only difference being the work is balanced out for products requiring different amounts of work on the same line.

So, i respectfully disagree with Rohit, that simulation can be used to determine takt time for different products (assuming 1 line). In my opinion, Takt Time will remain the same.

With best regards

[Rohit Trivedi]

Good discussion point. When to use simulation? The main goal of using simulation is to study the effect of process variability. When the process gets more complicated with multiple production lines, the variability affects on the system leaps up. Thus for simple deterministic system, you can do either manual calculations or even a spreadsheet model.