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PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY

PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY

These principles can be helpful in work design, in

reducing the human fatigue and in improving the work
efficiency. According to Barnes, these can be presented
under following THREE subgroups:
1.Principles of motion economy as related to the USE OF
HUMAN BODY
2.Principles of motion economy as related to the
ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE
3.Principles of motion economy as related to the DESIGN
OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Source: Motion and Time Study: Design and Measurement of Work by Ralph M. Barnes, New York and
London, John Wiley Publishers, 6th ed., 1969, Chapters 17-19.
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They are useful in shop floor and office alike

and, although they cannot always be applied,
they do form a very good basis for improving
the efficiency and reducing the fatigue of
manual work.

Source: https://www.amia-systems.com/simogga-layout-design-automatic-shop-floor-layout-2/ 3

[A] . Principles of motion economy as related to

the USE OF HUMAN BODY

1.The two hands should begin and complete

their movements at the same time.

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

2. The two hands should not be idle at the

same time except during periods of rest.

[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

3.Motions of the arms should be symmetrical

and in opposite direction and should be
made simultaneously.

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

4.Hand and body motions should be made at
the lowest classification at which it is possible
to do the work satisfactorily.
Table: Basic body motions
Class Pivot Body parts moved
1 Knuckle Fingers(F)
2 Wrist Hand (H)+ F
3 Elbow Forearm(FA) + H+F
4 Shoulder Upper arm(UA) + FA+H+F
5 Trunk Torso + UA+FA+H+F
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Source:https://www.academia.edu/4932719/APPLICATI_ONS_OF_PRINCIPLES_OF_MOTION_ECONOMY

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

5. Momentum should be employed to help
the worker ,but should be reduced to a
minimum whenever it is to overcome by
muscular effort.

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

6.Continuous curved motions are to be
preferred to straight line motion involving
sudden and sharp changes in direction.

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

7. Ballistic (free-swinging) motions are
faster, easier, and more accurate than
restricted or controlled motions.

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

8.Rhythm is essential to the smooth and

automatic performance of a repetitive
operation. The work should be arranged to
permit an easy and natural rhythm whenever it
is possible.

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[A] . USE OF HUMAN BODY…………..Contd

9.Work should be arranged so that eye-

movements are confined to a comfortable
area, without the need for frequent changes of
the focus.

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[B].Principles of motion economy as related

to the ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE

• 1.Definite and fixed positions/stations

should be provided for all tools and
materials to permit habit formation.

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

2.Tools and materials should be pre-

positioned to reduce searching.

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

• 3.Gravity-feed, bins and containers should

be used to deliver the materials as close to
the point of use as possible.

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Fig 2a

Fig 2b

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Figure 2 a) properly designed Gravity-feed, bins and containers b) poorly designed

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A gravity feed bin is a container that uses gravity to move

the items in it to a convenient access point for the worker.
One possible design is shown in Figure (a). It generally
allows for quicker acquisition of an item than a conventional
rectangular tray shown in Figure (b).

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

• 4.Tools, materials, and controls should be

located within the ‘maximum working area’
and as near to the worker as possible.

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Source:https://slideplayer.com/slide/14060140/

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

• 5.Materials and tools should be arranged to

permit the best sequence of motions.

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Figure: Two workplace layouts.

(a) Poor arrangement of parts and tools in
workplace

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(b) Good arrangement of parts and tools in

workplace
Numbers indicate sequence of work elements in relation to locations
of hand tools and parts bins.

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

• 6.‘Drop deliveries’ or ejectors should be

used wherever possible, so that operators
do not have to use his/her hands to dispose
of the finished work.

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

• 7.Provision should be made for adequate

lighting and, a chair of the type of height to
permit good posture should be provided.
The height of the workplace and seat should
be arranged to allow alternate standing and
sitting.

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Figure: Adjustable Chair for Workplace

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[B]. ARRANGEMENT OF THE WORKPLACE……..Contd

• 8.The color of the workplace should

contrast with that of the work and thus
reduce the eye-fatigue.

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[C]. Principles of motion economy as related to the

the DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

• 1.The hands should be relieved of all work

of “holding” the work-piece where this can
be done by a jig, fixture or foot-operated
device.

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Figure: Foot operated soldering iron

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[C]. DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT ………….…..Contd

• 2.Two or more tools should be combined

wherever possible.

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Figure: multiple-spindle air operated nut runner

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[C]. DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT ………….…..Contd

3.Where each finger performs some specific

movement, as in typewriting, the load should
be distributed in accordance with the inherent
capacities of the fingers.

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[C]. DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT ………….…..Contd

• 4.Handles such as those on cranks and large

screw divers should be so designed that as
much surface of the hand as possible can come
in contact with the handle. This is specially
necessary when considerable force has to be
used on the handle.

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[C]. DESIGN OF TOOLS & EQUIPMENT ………….…..Contd

5.Levers crossbars and hand-wheels should be

so placed that the operator can use them with the
least change in body position and the largest
mechanical advantage.

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Thanks

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