SMT Placement Rate Calculator: Real CPH, Cycle Time and Boards per Hour
Datasheet CPH figures describe a best case. This calculator converts rated speed into a defensible cycle time and run duration, so quotes and schedules do not rely on the brochure number.
Your numbers
Total components placed on one board, both sides counted separately by pass.
Datasheet optimum value, often under ideal conditions.
Feeder mix, large parts, vision and nozzle changes cut rated speed.
Assumes the load splits evenly between machines.
Per machine, per board.
After changeovers, stops and material waits.
Your results
The calculation assumes an even load split. The most loaded machine sets the line speed in practice; use a line balancing worksheet for exact splits.
Boards per hour vs real-world efficiency
Sweeps Real-world efficiency from 30 to 100, holding your other inputs fixed.
Use real line rates in scheduling
An optional review of how to keep routing times in your ERP aligned with actual SMT performance.
Optional. The tool and every export work without this. No spam.
How to use it
Enter the total placements per board and the rated CPH for the machines doing the work. Choose a real-world efficiency: 50 to 70 percent is common for mixed boards with fine-pitch and odd-form parts, higher for chip-only boards. Add the board transfer and fiducial time and your availability factor. The tool gives the line cycle time, boards per hour and run hours for the order quantity.
- Use machine program time estimates if your software provides them
- Count top and bottom side passes as separate runs
- Update efficiency from actual line data each quarter
The formulas
Real CPH equals rated CPH times efficiency. Placement time per board in seconds is placements divided by machines, divided by real CPH, times 3600. Cycle time adds transfer time. Boards per hour is 3600 over cycle time, and availability scales it for the schedule. Effective line CPH multiplies placements by the final boards per hour and is a useful number to compare lines with.
Limits and common mistakes
A line is only as fast as its slowest process. The printer, reflow oven conveyor speed, or an inspection machine can all cap throughput below placement time. A perfectly even machine split is rare, so the real cycle is set by the most loaded machine. Also avoid applying datasheet CPH to heavy odd-form placements, which can run at a small fraction of the chip-shooter rate. Use the line balancing worksheet to find the true bottleneck.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert CPH to boards per hour?
Divide the real CPH by placements per board to get boards per hour for one machine. For several machines splitting the load, add their capability or use the cycle time method here, and include board transfer time.
What is a realistic efficiency for a pick and place machine?
It varies widely. Simple chip boards on a modern machine can reach 70 to 85 percent of rated, while mixed boards with fine-pitch ICs and odd-form parts often land at 40 to 65 percent. Measure on your own program.
Why does the line run slower than the calculator shows?
Typical causes are an unbalanced machine split, a slow printer or oven, feeder faults and material waits, or changeovers. The calculator estimates ideal running; availability and bottleneck analysis explain the gap.
Does the order quantity change cycle time?
No, cycle time per board does not change. Order quantity only drives total run hours. Changeover and setup time sit outside this calculation and should be added to the schedule separately.
Netray can feed measured cycle times from your MES or ERP routing into scheduling views so standard times reflect real line performance.
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