TCHART Cycle Time Charting Program
 
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Site modified on:  July 1, 2010
 
Current program version:  v 53.0
 
Current email auto-responder:
 
TCHART is a time study tool that constructs Gantt
charts.  It is a computer program written in VBA
(Visual Basic for Applications) and runs in Excel 2007.
It depicts the sequence of events of a repeating task.
 
It is similar in appearance to many Gantt charting
software packages that are available, but is
distinguished from these in that the object of
study of TCHART is a repeating task,  whereas
the object of study of all the others (I have seen)
is a one time only task, such as a project.
 
The program features the calculation of slack time for
each element, which is the amount of time the element
can be increased with no increase in overall cycle time.
 
The program outputs a tabular and pictorial
representation of the sequence of events of a
repeating task, as in the following example:
 
 
A more extensive example can be found here.
 
TCHART is particularly beneficial in the analysis of
work cells consisting of multiple entities in which
the cycle time or sequence of events of the work
cell is not readily apparent or laborious to compile.
 
One use of this program is in the design of semi-
automatic systems.  For example, in a machine
tending problem, the program may help you:
  • Determine a workable sequence of operations
  • Identify which devices or machines may be
    slowed down and which need to be sped up
  • Justify the existence of machine pre-loaders
    to     reduce operator waiting and/or cycle time
  • Justify the existence of load stands to facilitate
    the operator relinquishing a sub-assembly
    and returning to it at a more convenient time
  • If multiple operators are working the same
    production cell, to help insure they don't cross paths
  • To help perform certain safety checks, such as
    operator proximity to a machine when it is cycling

We offer a fee based service that operates as an unmanned email auto-responder, according to the following steps:

  1. You email us your data
  2. We solve the data
  3. We email you the solution
  4. You read in and chart the solution, using
    the free user version of the program
Key words / phrases:
  • computer program
  • cpm, critical path method
  • cycle time chart
  • cycle time visualization
  • excel
  • gantt chart
  • throughput, thruput
  • time study software
  • vba, visual basic for applications

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