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Subops & multiple parts output

A machine counts cycles — one count each time it completes a run. But one machine cycle doesn't always equal one finished part. Two settings on an operation tell TrackMyMachines how to turn raw machine cycles into finished parts, so that part counts, Performance, and Quality all reflect real output:

  • Number of subops — how many machine cycles make up one finished sequence.
  • Output parts — how many finished parts come out of one sequence.

When both are left at their default of 1, one cycle = one part and nothing is adjusted.

The conversion​

finished parts = (machine cycles ÷ number of subops) × output parts

The division rounds down, so a sequence that is only part-way through counts as zero finished parts until it completes.

Number of subops​

Use this when it takes several machine cycles to finish one part — for example a part that is machined in three separate operations, each its own cycle.

Example — 3 subops, 1 output part

A part needs 3 cycles to complete. The machine reports 9 cycles. Finished parts = (9 ÷ 3) × 1 = 3 parts.

The expected cycle time you set is the time for the whole sequence (all subops together), not for a single cycle.

Output parts​

Use this when one cycle produces several parts — for example an injection mould that makes four parts per shot, or a saw that cuts a bar into several pieces.

Example — 1 subop, 4 output parts

One cycle makes 4 parts. The machine reports 10 cycles. Finished parts = (10 ÷ 1) × 4 = 40 parts.

Combining both​

The two settings work together. A sequence can take several cycles and yield several parts.

Example — 2 subops, 4 output parts

It takes 2 cycles to make one batch of 4 parts. The machine reports 10 cycles. Finished parts = (10 ÷ 2) × 4 = 20 parts (5 completed sequences).

How this affects OEE​

  • Part counts shown in reports are the converted finished parts, not raw cycles. The raw cycle count is kept alongside, so you may see, e.g., "Parts: 20 (10 cycles)".
  • Performance measures output against the expected cycle time per finished sequence, so a 4-up mould isn't unfairly penalised for making four parts in the time of one.
  • Quality is a ratio of good to total parts, so the conversion cancels out and Quality is unaffected by these settings.

See the OEE overview for the full formulas.

Operator-confirmed quantities​

When a finished job uses operator-confirmed quantities, the operator enters counts in finished parts directly — so the subops / output-parts conversion is not applied to those numbers. The conversion only ever applies to machine-data cycle counts.