Cycle time vs. lead time

Cycle time is the machine time required to produce one part, from start to finish of the cutting operations. Lead time is the total time a customer waits from placing an order to receiving the finished part, which includes cycle time but also queue time, setup, material procurement, post-processing and shipping.

Why a short cycle time doesn't guarantee a short lead time

A part with a short cycle time can still have a long lead time if it has to wait in a queue behind other jobs, needs outsourced post-processing, or requires material that isn't in stock, which is why lead time is rarely just cycle time multiplied by quantity.

Where each concept applies

Neither appears on the drawing; both are production and scheduling concepts that follow from a part's routing and a factory's current workload, not from the part's own requirements.

Common mistakes

Confusing cycle time with lead time when estimating delivery; a factory can have a fast cycle time and still quote a long lead time due to queue, material or outsourcing delays.

Is lead time always longer than cycle time?

Almost always, since lead time includes cycle time plus queue time, setup, material lead time, post-processing and shipping.

Can a factory reduce lead time without reducing cycle time?

Yes, by reducing queue time, improving scheduling, or holding common materials in stock, without necessarily speeding up the machining itself.

Which number does a customer usually care about most?

Lead time, since it reflects when they'll actually receive the part, though cycle time is a key input to overall cost and capacity planning.

Can cycle time be predicted before a part is machined?

Yes: pre-calculation estimates it from part geometry and process plan, and a machine learning model trained on similar parts can refine that estimate before the part is ever cut.