THE IMPORTANCE AND

USES OF MOTION AND

TIME STUDY

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITY OF SURABAYA
 What do we discuss in this
chapter?
Definition of a motion study
The importance and uses of motion
study
Work station design
Principles of motion economy
Motion patterns
What is a motion study?

Motion studies are performed to eliminate

waste. The efforts and movements of the
human employee are all valuable.
Motion studies were conducted by Frank
and Lillian Gilbreth about a century ago in a
search for the one best way.
 Macromotion Study
Studies of overall factory flow or process.
Any process can be studied by dividing it into process
activity.
These activities found in every sequence of processes are:
1. Operations : changes in the properties of the product.
2. Transportations : changes in the location of the product
3. Inspection : confirmation that change conforms to
specification
4. Delay : wait for start of operation, transportation, or
inspection
5. Storage : wait until needed
 Contd
Macromotion studies are not limited to
charting the activity flow or product. They
may be used for tracing objects, persons,
information, forms, money, energy or other
things through time (chart format) or space
(plan view format).
Micromotion Study
Considerable wasted motion and idle time can
occur within an operation. This time cant be found
with macromotion studies because it is usually
within one process operation. The improvement is
gained from reducing the operation cycle time.
Because the operation is often small unit or a
complex, infrequent event, micromotion studies are
effective on highly repetitive operations or
infrequent setup or maintenance procedures.
The same basic concepts exists for
improving processes :
-divide the work into small groups
-eliminate all unnecessary work
-combine work to make the individual tasks
easier
-rearrange the sequence
-simplify each task whenever possible
 The importance of
motion study?
Motion study can save a larger percentage of manufacturing
costs than anything else we can do in a manufacturing plant.
By changing to a more automatic machine, we can eliminate or
automate many steps in a process.
A more common, everyday manufacturing situation involves
people looking at individual operations and asking themselves,
How can I make this job easier? maybe the answer is to
move the parts or tools closer together, which can save time
(about 0.001 minutes per inch) or to suspend a tool over the
point of use, which will eliminate reaching for it and moving it
so far. These savings are not as impressive as combining
operations or eliminating operations but they can be done on
every job.
 Motion Study : The work
station design
The cheapest way to get into production is
the best rule for the starting point.
The cheapest way means just that-the
simplest machines, equipment, and work
stations.
Simple muffler clamp assembly
Continued.
The following information
must be included in the
design: work table,
incoming materials (bolt,
clamp, washers, nuts:
packaging and quantity
must be considered),
outgoing materials, operator
space and access to
equipment, location of
waste and rejects, fixture
and tools, scale of drawing.
Machine Operation
PRINCIPLES OF MOTION
ECONOMY
EFFECTIVENESS : doing the right things
(the job)
EFFICIENCY : doing the things right
(method)
So, effectiveness and efficiency mean doing the right
things right.
Effectiveness is important to consider first because
doing a job that is not necessary is bad, but making a
useless job efficient is the worst sin.
Efficiency or doing things right is a goal of motion and
time study.
As related to

Uses of the human body

Arrangement of the work place

Design of tools and equipment

You need a good checklists

Principles of Motion Economy
As related to the uses of the human body

Two hands should begin and complete their motions at

the same time.

Two hands should not be idle at the same time.

Motions of the arms should be made in opposite and

symmetrical direction and should be made
simultaneously.

Hand and body motions should be confined

to the lowest classification with which it is
possible to perform the work satisfactorily.
Principles of Motion Economy
As related to the uses of the human body

Momentum should be employed to assist the worker

wherever possible, and it should be reduced to a
minimum if it must be overcome by muscular effort.

Ballistic movement are faster, easier and more accurate

than restricted or controlled movements.

Work should be arranged to permit an easy and natural

rhythm wherever possible.

Eye fixations should be as few and as close as possible.

Principles of Motion Economy
As related to the workplace arrangement
There should be a definite and fixed place for all tools
and materials.

Tools, materials and controls should be located close to

the point of uses.

Gravity feed bins and containers should be used to

deliver material close to the point of use.

Drop deliveries should be used wherever possible.

Materials and tools should be located to permit the best

sequence of motions.
Principles of Motion Economy
As related to the workplace arrangement
Provisions should be made for adequate conditions for
seeing. Good illumination is the first requirement for
satisfactory visual perception.

The height of the work place and the chair should be

preferably arranged so that alternate sitting and standing
at work are easily possible.

A chair of the type and height to permit

good posture should be provided
for every worker.
Principles of Motion Economy
As related to the equipment design

The hands should be relieved of all

work that can be done more
advantageously by a jig, a fixture,
or a foot-operated device.

Two or more tools should be

combined whenever possible.

Tools and materials should be pre-

positioned whenever possible.
Principles of Motion Economy
As related to the equipment design
Where each finger performs some specific
movement, such as in typewriting, the load
should be distributed in accordance with the
inherent capacities of the fingers.

Levers, hand wheels, and other controls

should be located in such positions that the
operator can manipulate them with
the least change in body position and
with the greatest speed and ease.
Hand motions
The hands should operate as mirror images. They should start and
stop motions at the same time, they should move in opposite directions
and both should be working at all times.
Continued .
To design a normal work station, the technologist should
place all parts and tools between the normal and
maximum reach, but make the reaches as short as
possible
 The most expensive fixture : the human hands
Therblig: The system of symbols that represent
every elementary of hand / arm and
eye movements

Types of Therblig
1) Motions required for performing an operation
2) Motions that tend to slow down type 1 motion
3) Motions that do not perform an operation
 Transport empty
Grasp
Transport loaded (carry)
Position
Use
Assemble
Disassemble
Release load
Inspect
 Search
Find*
Select
Plan (person thinking)
Pre-position (set up)
 Hold
Unavoidable delay
Avoidable delay (standby)
Rest
 Take time to carefully observe the
Accurate overall operation
description Try to picture the operation in your
mind

Write down the steps in the operation,

starting with just one hands motion

Re-observe the operation and correct

the written description

Describe the motions in more detail

and fill out the therblig symbols
 Basic Motion Types
Ballistic motions : ballistic motions are created
by putting one set of muscles in motion and not
trying to end those motions by using other
muscles.
Controlled or restricted motions : controlled or
restricted motions are the opposite of ballistic
motions and require more control, especially at
the end of the motions.
Continuous motions : continuous motions are
curved motions and are more natural.
Location of parts and tools
Release the hands of as much work as possible

Use gravity : gravity is free power

Look at this pictures..

Wrong work height will

create problems

Proper work height will

produce less fatigue

Design a work station for

sitting and standing, but
keep work height constant
Let discuss this phenomenon with your
team

o please identify the therblig elements showing in video

o please analyze that video using motion economy study!