First Acceptable Part Delay
In production, the first acceptable part can matter more than the fastest cycle time. If the shop spends too much time before the first approved part is made, the job starts behind schedule.
What creates the delay
Common causes include setup uncertainty, manual adjustment, old controls, worn tooling, inconsistent process settings, or workflow that depends too much on one experienced operator.
When to review equipment
If every new job requires repeated adjustment before production can begin, the current machine and workflow may no longer fit the shop’s material, thickness, volume, and delivery goals.