Batch size

Concepto

The number of units made or moved together before the next step starts. Large batches cut changeovers but raise stock and lead time; small batches do the opposite.

Descripción

Batch size, in German Losgröße, is how many units are made or moved together before the next step can start. Each batch waits while the others in it are processed, so a larger batch means longer waiting for every unit and more work in progress.

Plants choose large batches mainly because changeovers are costly. The classic economic order quantity formula balances changeover cost against holding cost, but lean thinking asks a different question: how can changeover time be cut so that smaller batches become affordable? Smaller batches shorten lead time, show quality problems sooner and make the plant more flexible. The extreme is one-piece flow, where each unit moves on as soon as it is done.

Glosario

Expertos y empresas para este tema

• Mirko Peters · Microsoft MVP

Mantenido por Mirko Peters (Microsoft MVP) · Última actualización: 2026-11-11