Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Sections:
1. Direct Time Study Procedure
Chapter 13
2. Number of Work Cycles to be Timed
3. Performance Rating
4. Time Study Equipment
1
Direct Time Study - Defined
Also known as “stopwatch time study”
2
Direct Time Study Procedure
1. Define and document the standard method
3
1- Document the Standard Method
We first start with methods engineering study: determine the
“one best method”
o Seek worker’s advice if possible
• You should guarantee that all the items given above are
standardized 4
13.1
Form to document
the standard
method
5
2- Divide Task into Work Elements
Work element is Series of motion activities that are grouped
logically together
Has a unified purpose in the task
6
3- Time the Work Elements
Each element should be timed over several
work cycles to obtain a reliable average
7
Advantages of Each Timing Method
Advantages of snapback method:
Analyst can readily see how element times vary from
cycle to cycle
Direct Time
Study Form
9
4- Performance Rating
Analyst judges the performance or pace of the worker
relative to the definition of standard performance used by
the organization
• If the work cycle is relatively short (less than 1 minute) and the work
content is similar throughout the cycle, then rating the entire cycle
(overall rating) makes sense
• Otherwise elemental rating is more appropriate.
11
5- Apply Allowances
A PFD allowance is added to the normal time
to compute the standard time
Tstd = Tn (1 + Apfd)
12
Example 1
Given: A direct time study was taken on a manual work
element using the snapback method. The regular cycle
consisted of three elements, a, b, and c. Element d is an
irregular element performed every five cycles.
Work element a b c d
Observed time (min) 0.56 0.25 0.50 1.10
Performance rating 100% 80% 110% 100%
Determine
(a) normal time
(b) standard time for the cycle using Apfd=0.15
Solution:
(a) Normal time:
Tn = 0.56(1.00) + 0.25(0.80) + 0.50(1.10)
+ 1.10(1.0)/5 = 1.53 min
(b) Standard time:
Tstd = 1.53(1 + 0.15) = 1.76 min 13
Example 2
The snapback method was used in a direct time study of a
task that include a machine cycle. Elements a, b, c and d are
performed by the operator, and element m is a machine semi-
automatic cycle. Element b is an internal element performed
simultaneously with element m, and element d is an irregular
element performed once every 15 cycles. Observed times
and performance ratings are given in the table below, the
PFD allowance is 15%, and the machine allowance is 20%.
Determine (a) normal time, (b) standard time for the work
cycle.
Work element a b c d
Observed time, operator (min) 0.22 0.65 0.47 0.75
Performance rating 100% 80% 100% 100%
Machine element m
Observed time, machine (min) idle 1.56 idle idle
14
Example 2
Solution:
(a) Normal time:
Tn = 0.22(1.00) + Max {0.65(0.80), 1.56} + 0.47(1.10) + 0.75(1.0)/15
= 0.22 + Max {0.52, 1.56} + 0.47 + 0.05
= 2.30 min
(b) Standard time:
Tstd = (0.22 + 0.47 + 0.05)(1 + 0.15)
+ Max {0.52(1+0.15), 1.56(1+0.20)}
= 0.85 + 1.87
= 2.72 min 15
Cycle-to-Cycle Time Variations
Result from the following:
1. Variations in hand and body motions
4. Operator mistakes
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Number of Cycles to be Timed
Let Te – work element time
x =individual values of observed times collected during the study
x = observed average value of the element time
n: number of observations of an element that are needed
k = acceptable fraction of x
Objective: Identify the true value of Te within a certain confidence
interval.
We want to be 100(1-)% confident that Te lies within ±10% of Te.
After several cycles, calculate sample standard deviation s
x x
2
s=
n 1
Using the Student t distribution,
2
t / 2 s
n=
kx 17
Example 3
A time study analyst has collected 10 readings
on a particular work element of interest and
would like to consider how many more cycles
to time. Based on the sample, the mean time
for the elements is 0.40 min and the sample
standard deviation is 0.07 min. At a 95%
confidence level, how many cycles should be
timed to ensure the actual element time is
within ± 10% of the mean?
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Example: solution
We have 10-1=9 degrees of freedom in the t distribution, t/2 at the
95% confidence level (/2=0.025) is 2.262.
2 2
t / 2 s 2.262(0.07)
n n 15.7 16
kx (0.1)(0.40)
Since 10 cycles have already been timed, the analyst needs data
from 6 more cycles.
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Chracteristics of a Good Rating System
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4. Time Study Equipment
1. Stopwatch
Mechanical stopwatches
Electronic stopwatches
Scales
1.Decimal minutes
2.Decimal hours
2. Video cameras
Provides visual and audio record of method used by
worker
Solution:
(a) Normal time Tn = 4.80(0.90) + 1.60(1.20)/8
= 4.32 + 0.24 = 4.56 min
(b) Standard time Tstd = 4.56(1 + 0.15) = 5.244 min
(c) Standard production rate = 8(60)/5.244= 91.5 ≈ 92 units/shift
Worker efficiency Ew = 123/92 = 1.34 = 134%
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More Examples
The continuous timing method in direct time study was used to
obtain the element times for a worker-machine task as indicated
in the table below. Element c is a machine-controlled element
and the time is constant. Elements a, b, d, e, and f are
operator-controlled and external to the machine cycle, and were
performance rated at 80%. If the machine allowance is 25%,
and the worker allowance for personal time, fatigue, and delays
is 15%.
Determine (a) the normal time and (b) standard time for the
cycle. (c) If the worker completed 360 work units working 7.2
hours on an 8-hour shift, what was the worker’s efficiency?
Element a b c d e f
Observed time (min) 0.18 0.30 0.88 1.12 1.55 1.80
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More Examples
Solution:
(a) Observed times must be determined for each element:
Observed time for element b = 0.30 – 0.18 = 0.12 min
Observed time for element c = 0.88 – 0.30 = 0.58 min, etc.
Element a b c d e f
Observed time (min) 0.18 0.30 0.88 1.12 1.55 1.80
Tobs (min) 0.18 0.12 0.58 0.24 0.43 0.25