Production efficiency

See where manual time is actually spent.

You cannot optimize what you do not measure. Arkite captures cycle times and step durations from every manual workstation, so lean and process engineering teams work from evidence instead of estimates.

The problem

Manual stations run without a clock

Takt time sets the pace the line must reach to meet customer demand. Cycle time shows what each station actually achieves. At automated stations, the gap between the two is measured continuously. At manual workstations, it is usually estimated from occasional time studies.

Without step-level data, it is unclear where time is lost: searching for the right component, waiting for confirmation, recovering from errors or rework. Bottlenecks are assumed rather than identified, and improvement projects target the wrong steps.

Hidden efficiency losses in manual work

01

Searching

Time spent finding the right part, tool or instruction for the current variant.

02

Interpreting

Time spent reading and filtering paper or static instructions.

03

Rework

Time spent disassembling and correcting errors found later.

04

Imbalance

Steps or stations that exceed takt time without anyone seeing it.

The Arkite approach

Guided execution that measures itself

No time lost searching

  • Every step projected on the workbench
  • The right part highlighted
  • No interpreting of instructions
Learn more
Projected arrows and outlines guide the operator to the right part and location
Operator at an Arkite workstation: the 3D sensor has confirmed the step and a green check mark is projected before the next step starts
Production log in the Arkite software: jobs this shift, average and expected cycle time, and every step per serial number with duration, torque and result (illustrative data)

From workstation data to improvement

  1. 01

    Capture

    Cycle times, step durations, errors, torque values and picked quantities are recorded per job and variant.

  2. 02

    Monitor

    Built-in dashboards show output and cycle time trends against expected values in real time.

  3. 03

    Analyze

    Data flows to Power BI or other BI tools through a direct database connection, CSV export or the Arkite API.

  4. 04

    Improve

    Engineers update the workflow centrally and measure the effect on the next cycles.

Data that proves the improvement

  • Cycle times against expected cycle time per job and variant
  • Takt alignment per workstation and line
  • Step durations showing where variation occurs
  • Job output per hour, day or week
  • Error and rework time per step
  • Operator and experience level per job

Frequently asked questions

Which efficiency data does Arkite collect?

Cycle times against expected cycle times, step durations, job output, errors, torque values and picked quantities, per job, variant, workstation and operator.

Can we use Power BI with Arkite data?

Yes. Production data can be used in Power BI or any other BI platform through a direct database connection, CSV export or the Arkite API.

What is the difference between takt time and cycle time?

Takt time is the pace required to meet customer demand. Cycle time is the actual time a station needs per unit. Arkite measures cycle time at manual workstations so it can be compared with takt time.

Does measuring operators raise privacy concerns?

Operator identification is optional. Workstations can run with a generic login, and all data is stored on your own server, in line with the GDPR.

Talk to an expert

Measure your manual workstations

Start with one station and see your real cycle times, step by step.

  • A specialist replies to you personally
  • We look at your process, products and systems
  • Together we define a first pilot workstation
Prefer to pick a time? Book a demo