Definition
The time it takes for the machine to complete a cycle.
In detail
Machine Cycle Time refers to the time required for a machine to complete one full cycle, from start to finish, independent of the operator. It is used to calculate capacity, balance the production line, and determine Standard Work. Unlike operator cycle time (OCT) and Takt Time, MCT focuses only on the machine itself. In the lean system, MCT is input data for the "Process Capacity Table (capacity table)" in Standard Work, not data for statistical Process Capability (Cpk/SPC) analysis; the output is usually recorded in the Time Observation Sheet or the Process Capacity Table.
Example in practice
In line balancing analysis, the cycle time of each machine must be measured. For example, a packaging line has three machines with MCTs of 30 seconds, 45 seconds, and 60 seconds, and Takt Time is 50 seconds. The third machine was found to be the Bottleneck; the engineer reduced its true processing cycle (optimizing parameters and fixtures) to bring MCT down to 45 seconds; changeover time is not included in MCT but is reduced as changeover allocation within PCT via SMED. After handling these two matters separately, line balance rate improved and overall output increased.