Changeovertider

Changeovertider is a term used in manufacturing analytics to refer to the duration and variability of changeovers on production lines when switching from producing one product or batch to another. The concept encompasses the time needed to prepare equipment, adjust settings, swap tooling, perform quality checks, and any cleanup required between runs. In practice, changeovertider is a key component of overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and is used to identify opportunities for improvement through changeover reduction.

Origin and usage: The term appears in Scandinavian and European industrial data contexts, often as a single compound word in enterprise resource planning and production scheduling systems. There is no universal formal definition; operators may classify changeovertider into internal changeover time (requires line stoppage) and external time (performed while the line is still running) depending on the methodology used.

Measurement and management: Data are collected through time studies, SMED analysis, or manufacturing execution system (MES) logs. Metrics include average changeover time, frequency of changeovers, and the variability (standard deviation). Techniques to reduce changeovertider include standardized setup procedures, parallel tasking, pre-staging of tools, cross-trained operators, and modular tooling.

Impact: Lower changeover durations increase takt flexibility, allow smaller batch sizes, improve schedule adherence, and raise production throughput. However, measurement practices vary, so cross-site comparability requires consistent definitions and data quality.

Related concepts include lean manufacturing, SMED (single-minute exchange of dies), and changeover reduction strategies.