OpenPTS API
First open-source REST API for predetermined time standards. Converts human body motion sequences into calibrated standard work times for manufacturing.
The Problem
Predetermined time standards (MODAPTS, MTM, MOST) are foundational to manufacturing planning, but they're trapped in 1990s-era desktop software and Excel spreadsheets. No public API exists. Small and mid-size manufacturers can't afford $50K+ enterprise tools. Engineers manually calculate standard times, slowing down digital transformation initiatives in smart manufacturing.
My Approach
- 1Identified that the motion codes and time values are standardized and documented in academic literature — no technical barrier to building a modern API, only institutional inertia.
- 2Designed a RESTful API using FastAPI (Python) with three core endpoints: motion library lookup, time study creation, and calculation results.
- 3Seeded the database with MODAPTS motion codes, implemented the time calculation logic (MODs → seconds → allowances → standard time), and auto-generated interactive documentation. Deployed on Railway with PostgreSQL for persistence.
Key Decisions & Trade-offs
API-first, not UI-first — maximizes integration potential with existing MES/ERP systems. Open source with clear disclaimer — differentiates from proprietary tools, avoids IP conflict. Auto-generated docs (Swagger) — reduces maintenance, ensures accuracy. Descriptive naming ("OpenPTS") — engineers search for solutions, not brands.
Outcome & Impact
- Deployed publicly with <100ms average response time
- First and only open API for predetermined time standards (verified via patent/product search)
- 100% OpenAPI 3.0 compliant with interactive testing interface
- Open-sourced to enable other creators in industrial engineering software to build on top of it
Reflection
Building this reinforced that the best product ideas come from lived experience. I used MODAPTS for four years at Ford but never saw it integrated with our digital systems — it was always a separate, manual process.