How to Improve Cycle Time with Computer Vision

Cycle time in manufacturing is often inaccurately measured using traditional methods like stopwatches and averages, leading to inefficiencies and missed targets due to overlooked delays such as waiting, handoffs, and rework. The text advocates for using computer vision as a solution, which continuously monitors the manufacturing process to provide real-time data on cycle time, transforming it from an estimated metric into a live operational signal. By employing computer vision, manufacturers can pinpoint bottlenecks, understand variability, and identify specific conditions affecting cycle time, thus enabling targeted improvements. This approach integrates well with existing manufacturing processes by providing detailed insights that enhance lean principles and industrial engineering through continuous, detailed measurement, rather than relying on periodic studies. Vision pipelines, especially when deployed at the edge, offer a robust and scalable solution, optimizing cycle time management by maintaining real-time processing capabilities even when network connectivity is unreliable.