Close Menu
Get Parts Quote
Name
Company *
WhatsApp / WeChat (For Faster Quote) *
Email *
Address
City
State / Province / Region
Zipcode
Country
Quantity *
Part Number *
Manufacturer
Preferred Condition
Additional Information
Cancel
2025-03-25 14:44:10
3 min read

Essential KPIs for Measuring Success in Industrial Automation Projects

Why KPIs Matter in Automation Projects
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are critical metrics that help manufacturers evaluate the success of automation initiatives. Whether the goal is increasing production output, reducing costs, or improving efficiency, KPIs provide data-driven insights to measure progress.

However, automation systems don’t operate in isolation—external factors like supply chain delays or workforce shortages can distort results. That’s why it’s crucial to track automation-specific KPIs that isolate the system’s true performance.

Top 8 Manufacturing KPIs for Automation Projects
Here are the most impactful KPIs for evaluating automation success:

1. Production Schedule Attainment
Measures: How closely actual output matches projections.
Formula: (Actual Output / Projected Output) × 100
2. Scrap Value (Waste Rate)
Measures: Material waste in production.
Formula: (Total Scrap / Total Output) × 100
3. Total Cycle Time
Measures: Time taken to complete one full production cycle.
Formula: Cycle End Time – Cycle Start Time
4. System Changeover Time
Measures: Time lost switching between production tasks.
Formula: Net Available Time – Actual Production Time
5. Throughput (Output Rate)
Measures: Units produced per time period (hour/day/week).
Formula: Number of Units Produced ÷ Time Period
6. System Availability (Uptime)
Measures: Operational reliability of automated systems.
Formula: (Uptime ÷ (Uptime + Downtime)) × 100
7. Percentage of Planned Maintenance
Measures: Proactive vs. reactive maintenance.
Formula: (Planned Maintenance Hours × 100) ÷ Total Maintenance Hours
8. Cost Per Unit (Manufacturing & Maintenance)
Measures: Efficiency of automation in reducing costs.
Formula:
Total Manufacturing Cost ÷ Units Produced
Total Maintenance Cost ÷ Units Produced

How to Select the Right KPIs for Your Project
Not all KPIs apply to every automation project. To choose the best ones:
✔ Align with Goals – If reducing downtime is key, focus on System Availability and Planned Maintenance.
✔ Track Automation-Specific Data – Isolate metrics that automation directly influences .
✔ Avoid Vanity Metrics – Focus on actionable insights, not just impressive-looking numbers.

Common Pitfalls in KPI Tracking
Ignoring External Factors – If material shortages slow production, don’t blame automation.
Overlooking Maintenance Costs – A machine may produce more but require costly repairs.
Failing to Update Baselines – As automation improves, KPIs should evolve too.

The Future of KPI Tracking in Smart Factories
With AI-powered analytics and IoT sensors, manufacturers can now:
Monitor KPIs in real time
Predict issues before they impact production (predictive maintenance)
Automatically adjust workflows for optimal efficiency

Conclusion: KPIs Drive Smarter Automation Decisions
Tracking the right KPIs ensures automation projects deliver real value—whether it’s higher output, lower costs, or better reliability. By focusing on automation-specific metrics, manufacturers can optimize performance, justify investments, and stay competitive in Industry 4.0.

Keep your system in play!

Select
ABB
Accutrac
Acopian
AC Tech
Action Instruments
Adam
Adaptec
Advanced Micro Controls
AEG
Alcatel
Allen-Bradley
3M
Alstom
AMCI
Apparatebau Hundsbach
Array Electronic
ASTEC
Automation Direct
B&R
Balluff
Banner Engineering
Barco Sedo
Bartec
BECK
Beier
Beijer Electronics
Bently Nevada
Biviator
Black Box
Bosch
Braun
CEAG
Crouzet
Control Techniques
CTI-Control Technology Inc
Cutler-Hammer
Danfoss
DEC - Digital Equipment Corp
Delta Computer Systems
Delta Electronics
Digital
Digitronics
Durag
EATON
EBELT
Eberle
Emerson
Endress Hauser
Entrelec Schiele
Eurotherm
Fanuc
Farnell
Festo
Finder Varitec
Fischer Porter
Forney Engineering
Fuji Electric
General Electric
Grayhill
Harting
Hedin Tex
HEIDENHAIN
Helmholz
HIMA
Hirschmann
Hitachi
Honeywell
IBM
idec
IDS
IFM Electronic
INAT
Intel
Invensys
JAQUET
Jetter AG
Kieback & Peter
Klockner Moeller
Koyo
Kuhnke
Lambda
Landis Gyr
Lauer
L&N - Leeds & Northrup
Lenze
Leukhardt Systems
LG GoldSec
Littlefuse
Lumberg
Magnecraft
Mannesmann
Matsushita
Mean Well
Measurement Systems
Measurex
MEDAR
Micro Innovation AG
Micron Control Transformers
Mitsubishi
Molex
Moog
MTL Insturments Group
MTS
Murr Elektronik
NAIS
NEC
Omega Engineering
Omron
Opto 22
Orbitran Systems
PANALARM
Pepperl + Fuchs
Philips
Phoenix Contact
Pilz
Red Lion
Reliance Electric
Rexroth
RIS - Rochester
Ronan
SAE Elektronik
SAIA
Sauter
Schiele
Schildknecht
Schiller Electric
Schleicher
Schneider Electric
Schrack Technik
Selectron
SEW
Spectrum Controls
Sprecher + Schuh
Square D
Stahl
STI - Scientific Technologies, Inc.
SysMik
Taylor
Tecnint HTE
Telemecanique
Toshiba
Transition Networks
TR Electronic
UniOP
Vibro-Meter
VIPA
Visolux
Wachendorff Advantech
Wago
Weidmuller
Wöhrle
Woodward
Yokogawa
Ziehl-Abegg
Xycom
Epro
bachmann
Saftronics
Siemens
KEB
Opti Mate
Arista
MKS
Motortronics
Metso Auttomation
ProSoft
Nikki Denso
K-TEK
Motorola VME
Force Computers Inc
Berger Lahr
ICS Triplex
Sharp PLC
YASKAWA
SCA Schucker
Bremer
Molex Woodhead
Alfa Laval
Siemens Robicon
Proface
Supcon
Carlo Gavazzi
SST
Hollysys
SOLIDSTATE CONTROLS
ETEK
OPTEK
KUKA
WHEDCO
indramat
Miscellaneous Manufacturers
TEKTRONIX
Rorze
DEIF
SIPOS
SHINKAWA
ANYBUS
HVA
GERMAN POWER
KONTRON
ENTEK
TEL
SYSTEM
KOLLMORGEN
LAZER
PRECISION DIGITAL
LUBRIQUIPINC
NOKIA
SIEI-Gefran
MSA AUER MUT
KEBA
ANRITSU
DALSA
Load Sharer
SICK
Brad
SCHENCK
STAIGER MOHILO
ENTERASYS
USB-LG
TRS
BIOQUELL
SCHMERSAL
CORECO
KEYENCE
BIZERBA
BAUERBAUER
CONTROL
PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC
APPLIED MATERIALS
NMB
NI
Weishaupt
Weinview
CISCO
PARKER
KONECRANES
TURBUL
HMS
HOFFMAN
HUTTINGER
TDK-Lambda
RESOLVER
Knick
ATLAS
BENDER
SABO
BALDOR
Lam Research
NTN BEARING
ETA
WEST INSTRUMENTS
TDK-Lambda
Fireye
DAHUA
TESCH
ACROSSER
FLUKE
Sanyo Denki
Bruel & Kjaer
EPSON
HIOKI
Mettler Toledo
RAYTEK
EPCOS
DFI
SEMIKRON
Huawei
INDUSTRONIC
ASI-HVE
BARTEC POLARIS
AMAT
GD Bologna
Precise Automation
RADISYS
ZEISS 
Reveal Imaging
Saiernico
ASEM
Advantech
ANSALDO
ELpro
MARCONI
EBMPAPST
ROTORK
KONGSBERG
SOCAPEL
TAIYO
SUN
York
KURODA
ADLINK
Notifier
HBM
Infineon
LNIC
Saipwell
JIANGYIN ZHONGHE
W.E.ST. Elektronik
EXPO
DEEP SEA ELECTRONICS
BECKHOFF
Drager
ZENTRO ELEKTRONIK
ATOS
TRSystemtechnik
JDS Uniphase
ADEPT
REO
Panametrics
Xenus
SIGMATEK DIAS
S.C.E Elettronica
EKF
ETEL
STOBER POSIDYN
HANSHIN
DDK
EITZENBERGER
LTI MOTION
XP Power
Panasonic
Matrox
SBS Technologies
WARTSILA
MURPHY
MADOKA
Arcnet Danpex
Littelfuse
TACAN
Hurco
SAMGONG
ALPHA
Luxco
Nautibus
PAWO Systems
Haver&boecker
VAISALA
Consilium
SERIPLEX
MTU
ALPHI
OPTIMATION INC
NTRON
TMEIC GLOBAL
BAUMER
SANYO-DENKI
Seica
ISE Reiter
Seal
ICP ELECTRONICS
Axiomtek
Bautz
Sonosys
Vacon
Nematron
Watt Drive
Sieb & Meyer
Danaher Motion
DEMAG
Digifas
Divus
Bühler
RMV ELECTRONICS
Ono Sokki
Orbotech
PLATING ELECTRONIC
NORD NORDAC
Circuit Line
Berges
AIENSN
SZM
CHATILLON
ACS GROUP
ADVANTEST
Sekidenko
DOLD
TURCK
API Controls
ASAHI KEIKI
QUALIFLOW
ASML
ASTRO
COGNEX
Contec
ESTIC
Fishman
IAI
TeleFrank
Internix
AUMA
PROVIBTECH
K-TRON
Lemforder
IXYS
ALERTON
MOXA
SCIYON
BASLER ELECTRIC
IntraAction
VAT
Delta tau
EMG
HENGSTLER
WESTERMO
Deutsmann Automation
CUMMINS
Bihl+Wiedemann
DAIKIN
Joppich
POUNDFUL
LEINE LINDE
DELIXI
Compressor Controls Corporation
JENAER ANTRIEBSTECHNIK
MCGS
SMC
Get Parts Quote
Comments

Leave Your Comment

Company
* Email
* Mobile
* Content
Your email address will not be published
Newsroom

Related articles Browse All