What Is a Time and Motion Study?

A basic management technology for modern industrial enterprises. Its task is to find the best limb movement trajectory and the required standard time and appropriate physical energy consumption in the production operation process, in order to achieve the purpose of reasonable operation and improve work efficiency. Its basic method is to decompose and analyze the operation sequence and actions of workers, measure and record the time required to complete various operations, and after screening, it becomes the new standard operation method and operation time.

Motion and time studies

A basic management technology for modern industrial enterprises. Its task is to find the best limb movement trajectory and the required standard time and appropriate physical energy consumption in the production operation process, in order to achieve the purpose of reasonable operation and improve work efficiency. Its basic method is to decompose and analyze the operation sequence and actions of workers, measure and record the time required to complete various operations, and after screening, it becomes the new standard operation method and operation time.
From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, FW Taylor in the United States pioneered time studies. The Gilbreths proposed motion studies. During the Second World War, in the mass production of military products, a large number of new workers must be taught to master the operating methods and improve work efficiency quickly. The two methods of action research and time research are combined, which is called action and time research, also known as work research.
The research procedure can be summarized into 5 aspects. Choose the research object: mainly focus on the weak links in production, such as the links that have the greatest impact on cost or output, unsafe operation and unstable quality. Observe and record the current methods: adopt different recording forms according to different objects, such as process chart, flow chart, human-machine program chart, and two-handed operation program chart of workers. Review the facts of the record: explore the purpose (what to do and why), work place, procedure, operator quality, operation method, etc. Development of new methods: Based on the analysis of recorded facts, existing methods can be cancelled, merged, simplified, reformed and changed (procedures, locations, types of work, etc.) and new methods can be generated. Trial, evaluation and adoption of new method: The new method must replace the old method with trial, measurement, statistical analysis, and calculation of the benefits of the new method, such as saving man-hours, reducing physical and psychological fatigue, saving investment and shortening Comparison of recovery time and other influencing factors.
Research methods Action and time studies include methods of analyzing production procedures, drawing procedure diagrams, drawing human-machine procedure diagrams, and drawing two-hand operation procedure diagrams.
Motion and time studies

Motion and time studies

Motion and time studies

Motion and time studies

Analyze the production process: The production process is the integration of all operations. It can describe the operations of workers in chronological order, it can also describe the process from material to finished product, or it can be described by man-machine program to reflect the time utilization of workers and machines in the same cycle.
Drawing the program chart: The drawing program chart adopts a common set of action and time analysis record symbols. The symbols are: represents a process of processing or operation. You can add numbers in to indicate the order of work. indicates the movement of transportation, material or work piece from one location to another. means inspection, a one-time inspection of the quality or quantity of objects.

Indicates a delay, the item is in a waiting state, and the next activity that should be processed in accordance with the plan has not yet occurred. means storage, and items are kept under supervision, which can be temporary or long-term. The joint symbol indicates that two activities are performed at the same location or as one activity at the same time. For example, the joint symbol can be used to indicate that the work and inspection are completed at the same time. Using the above symbols, combined with statistical analysis of process time, transportation distance, and process activity frequency, a process chart showing the process can be obtained, and the key that needs improvement can be found. The picture shows the polishing process of polishing cloth wheels in the grinding workshop.
Draw human-machine program chart: The human-machine program chart records the coordination and cooperation relationship between workers and the machine. It is used to analyze how to reduce the idle time of workers and machines, and can inspire the design of some special tooling and multi-tools. Work station processing machinery to improve efficiency. See the table for the simple human-machine program.
According to this table, it can be calculated that there are 4 points for workers during downtime, 4 points for machines, 6 points for workers during work, 6 points for machines, 10 points for workers throughout the cycle time, 10 points for machines, and utilization rates of 60% each.
Draw a two-handed operation program diagram: The two-handed operation program diagram is often directed to a program with a large amount of manual operation in the assembly process of mechanical parts. This method is used to record and analyze the two-handed movements of workers in order to improve the operation method and write the training operator Effective guidance documents.
Action economic principles and issues Based on the long-term use of action and time research, several principles can be summarized.
Principles related to human movements: Two-handed movements should be started and stopped simultaneously; hands should not be idle at the same time except for rest time; two-armed movements should be coordinated with each other; as far as possible, the body parts should be compressed to the minimum extent, such as with fingers, Wrist, elbow, prevent the use of upper arms, shoulders and waist; as far as possible to form inertial movements, but should pay attention to the adaptability of muscles; smooth continuous arc motion is better than linear motion that suddenly changes direction; impact motion is better than precise positioning control Type operation is faster and much easier; work should be performed at a natural pace; minimize the need for eye gaze.
Principles on the work place: Tools and materials should be clearly and fixedly placed; tools, materials and operating handles should be placed where the operator can easily access them; gravity-type parts boxes or boxes should be used to keep the parts to be processed as close as possible to the operation The arrangement of tools and materials should be adapted to the action; the height of the workbench and seat is appropriate, and the lighting conditions are good.
Principles related to tools and equipment: try to use jigs to help with operations or use foot tools; try to use combined tools to reduce the number of exchanges; the contact area between the handle and the palm should be large; handles, hand wheels, etc. should be placed at least to change the operation Place where you can operate quickly and easily.