TY - CHAP A1 - Wilbers, Simon A1 - Kupper, Stefan A1 - Günther, Norman A1 - van de Sand, Ron A1 - Prell, Bastian A1 - Speck, Sandy A1 - Reiff-Stephan, Jörg ED - Reiff-Stephan, Jörg ED - Jäkel, Jens ED - Reichelt, Dirk T1 - Unveiling automation potential through a better understanding of ideal cycle time T2 - Tagungsband AALE 2025 : menschenzentrierte Automation im digitalen Zeitalter N2 - This publication demonstrates that determining the maximum speed or Ideal Cycle Time (ICT) of machinery or cyber-physical systems is crucial for uncovering the limits of automation in a given system. Possibly increasing Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) and identify opportunities for further digitization, automation, and AI integration. Based on literature review and expert interviews, methods for establishing ICT, mentioned in literature were identified and crosscheck with what practitioners in operation actually use and how they apply them. The identified methods were: Empirical Measurement and Data Analysis, Time Studies, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Benchmarking, Simulation and Modeling, Expert Judgment, and Continuous Improvement Practices we. We contrast these with insights obtained from interviews conducted with experts from companies in the German federal State of Brandenburg, representing diverse industries and sectors. Findings suggest that while companies recognize somewhat their ICT or maximum operational speeds, they often lack a structured method for determining them. They frequently use combinations of established methods inconsistently. We deduce that a formalized approach to defining ICT can better reveal system limitations and potential for expanding them through advanced automation and. We argue that a well-defined ICT is essential for pushing the boundaries of automated systems, contributing to more effective and Humanity–Centered Automation (HCA) solutions. KW - automation limit KW - automation potential KW - humanity-centered automation KW - Ideal Cycle Time KW - manufacturing system KW - overall equipment effectiveness KW - cyber-physical system Y1 - 2025 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:526-opus4-20205 SP - 223 EP - 230 PB - Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur CY - Leipzig ER -