The measurable rate at which production speed and quality improve as operators become familiar with a new product or piece of equipment. In manufacturing planning, engineers factor this curve into production schedules, knowing that initial cycle times will be slow and defect rates high before stabilizing at the target output.
Heard on the job
Don't panic about the low output on line three; they're still on the learning curve for the new automated welder.
Insider tip
In industrial engineering, a steep learning curve actually means rapid improvement and fast mastery, contrary to the colloquial use where it implies something is difficult.