OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT (Chapter 7)

7.5 – MOTION STUDY (page 339)

[SLIDE 1]

Motion study is the systematic study of the human motions used to perform an operation

- to eliminate unnecessary motions and to identify the best sequence of motions for maximum efficiency.

Frank Gilbreth – present practice of motion study evolved from his work

FOUR COMMONLY USED TECHNIQUES FOR MOTION STUDY

1. Motion study principles

[SLIDE 2]

Motion Study Principles - the guidelines for designing motion-efficient work procedures

- THREE CATEGORIES:
a. principles for use of the body
b. principles for arrangement of the workplace
c. principles for the design of tools and equipment

In developing work methods that are motion efficient, the analyst tries to:

1. Eliminate unnecessary motions.

[SLIDE 3]

Therbligs - basic elemental motions that make up a job

- to break jobs down into basic elements and base improvements on an analysis of these basic elements
by eliminating, combining, or rearranging them.
- Examples:
» Search implies hunting for an item with the hands and/or the eyes.
 » Select means to choose from a group of objects.
» Grasp means to take hold of an object.
» Hold refers to retention of an object after it has been grasped.
» Transport load means movement of an object after hold.
» Release load means to deposit the object.

[SLIDE 4]

Micromotion study - introduced by Frank Gilbreth and Lillian Gilbreth (his wife)

- use of motion pictures and slow motion to study motions that otherwise would be too rapid to analyze
- the resulting films provide a permanent record that can be referred to, not only for training workers
and analysts but also for settling job disputes involving work methods

Motion study analysts often use charts as tools for analyzing and recording motion studies.

- Simo chart – a chart recording the number of small, basic movements made by a worker during a
particular task
- vital in studying operations such as data entry, sewing, surgical and dental procedures, etc.
- (SAMPLE OF SIMO CHART)
Motion study is the systematic study of the human motions used to perform an operation.

The purpose is to eliminate unnecessary motions and to identify the best sequence of motions

for maximum efficiency. Hence, motion study can be an important avenue for productivity

improvements. Present practice evolved from the work of Frank Gilbreth, who originated the

concepts in the bricklaying trade in the early 20th century. Through the use of motion study

techniques, Gilbreth is generally credited with increasing the average number of bricks laid

per hour by a factor of 3, even though he was not a bricklayer by trade. When you stop to

realize that bricklaying had been carried on for centuries, Gilbreth’s accomplishment is even

more remarkable.

There are a number of different techniques that motion study analysts can use to develop

efficient procedures. The most-used techniques are the following:

1. Motion study principles.

2. Analysis of therbligs.

3. Micromotion study.

4. Charts.

Gilbreth’s work laid the foundation for the development of motion study principles,

which are guidelines for designing motion-efficient work procedures. The guidelines are

divided into three categories: principles for use of the body, principles for arrangement of

the workplace, and principles for the design of tools and equipment. Table 7.3 lists some

examples of the principles.

In developing work methods that are motion efficient, the analyst tries to

1. Eliminate unnecessary motions.

2. Combine activities.

3. Reduce fatigue.

4. Improve the arrangement of the workplace.

5. Improve the design of tools and equipment.

Therbligs are basic elemental motions. The term therblig is Gilbreth spelled back-

ward (except for the th ). The approach is to break jobs down into basic elements and base
improvements on an analysis of these basic elements by eliminating, combining, or rear-

ranging them.

Although a complete description of therbligs is outside the scope of this text, a list of some

common ones will illustrate the nature of these basic elemental motions:

Search implies hunting for an item with the hands and/or the eyes.

Select means to choose from a group of objects.

Grasp means to take hold of an object.

Hold refers to retention of an object after it has been grasped.

Transport load means movement of an object after hold.

Release load means to deposit the object.

Some other therbligs are inspect, position, plan, rest, and delay.

Describing a job using therbligs often takes a substantial amount of work. However, for

short, repetitive jobs, therbligs analysis may be justified.

Frank Gilbreth and his wife, Lillian, an industrial psychologist, were also responsible for

introducing motion pictures for studying motions, called micromotion study. This approach

is applied not only in industry but also in many other areas of human endeavor, such as sports

and health care. Use of the camera and slow-motion replay enables analysts to study motions

that would otherwise be too rapid to see. In addition, the resulting films provide a permanent

record that can be referred to, not only for training workers and analysts but also for settling

job disputes involving work methods.

The cost of micromotion study limits its use to repetitive activities, where even minor

improvements can yield substantial savings owing to the number of times an operation is

repeated, or where other considerations justify its use (e.g., surgical procedures).

Motion study analysts often use charts as tools for analyzing and recording motion stud-

ies. Activity charts and process charts such as those described earlier can be quite helpful. In

addition, analysts may use a simo chart (see Figure 7.6 ) to study simultaneous motions of the

hands. These charts are invaluable in studying operations such as data entry, sewing, surgical
and dental procedures, and certain assembly operations.