The work content is the sum of the operation duration of all operations that are carried out in a takt of the line hierarchy. So, the work content corresponds to the time for which a takt is occupied. The system calculates the work content from the operation times in the rate routing.

If you produce several materials on one line, the work content can vary in one takt for different materials. Therefore, you must ensure that the work content can be carried out in the pre-set takt time.

To do so, create a line balance of the line hierarchy, which is based on the model mix for a period. The system then calculates the operation times using the formula in the work center (e.g. for setting up, processing and taking apart) and evaluates these with the proportional factor which is in the model mix, per material. This provides you with the average work content per takt.

You produce 2 materials on a production line with the following rates:

Material A 100 pieces/hour 25%

Material B 300 pieces/hour 75%

The following work content occurs per material at processing station 1 (takt 5).

Material A 10 minutes

Material B 6 minutes

From this, the system calculates the following average work content of processing station 1 (takt 5):

(10 minutes x 25%) + (6 x 75%) = 7 minutes