Time Study

DINESH H. KAMBLE
HOD
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC MUMBAI.
 • Time study is a method of measuring work for recording the times of
performing a certain specific task or its elements carried out under specified
conditions.
Time Study
• An operator does same operation (task) throughout the day. Time study
help to define how much time is necessary for an operator to carry out
the task at a defined rate of performance.

• Time study is also called work measurement. It is essential for both planning
and control of operations.

• According to British Standard Institute time study has been defined as “The
application of techniques designed to establish the time for a qualified
worker to carry out a specified job at a defined level of performance.”
Time Study :

“the art of observing and recording the time required to do each detailed element of an
industrial operation”.

The term industrial operation includes manual, mental and machining operations, where:

• (i) Manual time is divided into three types of operations, i.e. handling of tools, machines and materials.

• (ii) Mental time includes time taken by the worker for thinking over some operations.

• (iii) Machining time includes time taken by the machines in doing its share of work.

• Thus time study standardizes the time taken by average worker to perform these operations.

It can also be defined in the following words “work measurement” is the application of techniques
designed to establish the time for a qualified worker to carry out a specified job at a definite level of
performance.
Use of Time Study:
1) It is useful in determining the standard time for
various operations, which helps in fixing wages and
incentives.

2) It is useful to estimate the cost of a product accurately.

3) It helps in production control.

4) It helps in predicting accurately as to when the work

will be completed and hence customers can be
promised to take delivery on a fixed date.

5) Using the time study techniques, it can be found that

how much machines an operator can run.
Objectives of Time Study:

Target time for each job can be scientifically estimated. With this estimate realistic schedules and manpower
requirements can be prepared.
Sound comparison of alternative methods is possible by comparing their basic times.

Useful wage incentive schemes can be formulated on the basis of target times.

In can lead to proper balancing of the work distribution.

It can help to analyse the activities for performing a job with the view to eliminate or reduce unnecessary or
repetitive operations so that human effort can be minimized.
To standardise the efficient method of performing operations.

To standardise conditions for efficient performance.

To determine man and machines ratio for effective and efficient utilisation of both.

To provide information and basis for production planning and scheduling activities.
 Basic Procedure for Time Study:

The following steps are essential for carrying out the time study of any process in order to
determine standard time:

• 1. Select the job for study and define the objective of the study. This needs statement of the use of results,
precision required and the desired level of confidence in the estimated time standards.

• 2. Analyse the operation to determine if the standard method and conditions exist and the worker is properly
trained. The method study or training of operator should be completed before starting time study if need be.

• 3. Select the operator to be studied if more than one can perform the task.

• 4. Record the information about the standard method, operator, operation, product machine, quality required
and working conditions.

• 5. Divide the operation into reasonably small elements.

 Basic Procedure for Time Study:

• 6. Time the operator for each of the elements. Estimate the total number of observations to be taken.

• 7. Collect and record the data of required number of cycles by way of timing and rating the operator.

• 8. For each element of operation note the representative watch time and calculate the normal time
as follows: Normal Time = Observed time x Rating Factors

• Calculate normal time for the whole job by adding normal time of various elements.

• 9. Determine standard time by adding allowances to normal time of operation. Some allowances
such as personal allowance (20%), fatigue allowance (5%) preparation allowance (5%) are generally
used or these can be taken from the company’s policy book or by conducting an independent study.

Thus ,

standard time = Normal time + Allowances

Time Study
Equipment

The following equipment is needed for

time study work.
• Timing device
• Time study observation sheet
• Time study observation board
• Other equipment
Time Study Observation Sheet.

• It is a printed form with spaces

provided for noting down the
necessary information about the
operation being studied, like name
of operation, drawing number, and
name of the worker, name of time
study person, and the date and
place of study.
• Time Study Board.
• It is a light -weight board used for
holding the observation sheet and
stopwatch in position. It is of size
slightly larger than that of
observation sheet used.
• Other Equipment.
• This includes pencil, eraser, device
like tachometer for checking the
speed, etc.
Computation of Standard Time

• Standard time is the time allowed to an operator to carry out the specified task under specified conditions and defined level of
performance.
• The various allowances are added to the normal time as applicable to get the standard time “Components standard time”.
Standard time Calculation (time study)
• Standard time may be defined as the, amount of time required to complete a unit of work:
• (a) under existing working conditions,
• (b) using the specified method and machinery,
• (c) by an operator, able to the work in a proper manner, and
• (d) at a standard pace.
• Thus basic constituents of standard time are:
1. Elemental (observed time).
2. Performance rating to compensate for difference in pace of working.
3. Relaxation allowance.
4. Interference and contingency allowance.
5. Policy allowance.
The Standard Time is depends of following factors:

1. Observed time: The time measured to complete the task.

2. Performance rating factor:
• The PRF is a subjective estimate of a worker’s pace relative to a normal work pace
• The pace the person is working at. 90% is working slower than normal, 110% is working faster than
normal, 100% is normal.
• This factor is calculated by an experienced worker who is trained to observe and determine the rating.
3. The normal time (NT) is the mean observed time multiplied by the performance rating factor (PRF)
4. Personal, fatigue, and delay (PFD) allowance.
5. The frequency of occurrence (F) is how often the element must be done each cycle.
 The normal time for an operation does not contain any allowances for
the worker.

It is impossible to work throughout the day even though the most

practicable, effective method has been developed.

Even under the best working method situation, the job will still
demand the expenditure of human effort and some allowance must
Allowances therefore be made for recovery from fatigue and for relaxation.

Allowances must also be made to enable the worker to attend to his

personal needs.

Relaxation allowance,
The allowances are categorized as: Interference allowance, and
Contingency allowance.
 • Relaxation allowances are calculated so as to allow the worker to recover from fatigue.

• Relaxation allowance is a addition to the basic time intended to provide the worker with the
opportunity to recover from the physiological and psychological effects of carrying out
specified work under specified conditions and to allow attention to personal needs.
RELAXATIO • The amount of allowance will depend on nature of the job.

N Relaxation allowances are of two types: fixed allowances and variable allowances.

ALLOWANC • Fixed allowances constitute:

a. Personal needs allowance:

E It is intended to compensate the operator for the time necessary to leave, the workplace to
attend to personal needs like drinking water, smoking, washing hands. Women require
longer personal allowance than men. A fair personal allowance is 5% for men, and 7% for
women.

b. Allowances for basic fatigue:

This allowance is given to compensate for energy expended during working. A common
figure considered as allowance is 4% of the basic time.

• VARIABLE ALLOWANCE
Variable allowance is allowed to an operator who is working under poor environmental
conditions that cannot be improved, added stress and strain in performing the job. The
variable fatigue allowance is added to the fixed allowance to an operator who is engaged on
medium and heavy work and working under abnormal conditions. The amount of variable
fatigue allowance varies from organization to organization.
 • It is an allowance of time included into the work content of
the job to compensate the operator for the unavoidable
loss of production due to simultaneous stoppage of two or
more machines being operated by him.
INTERFEREN • This allowance is applicable for machine or process
CE controlled jobs.
ALLOWANCE
• Interference allowance varies in proportion to number of
machines assigned to the operator.

• The interference of the machine increases the work

content.
 • A contingency allowance is a small allowance of time which may be
included in a standard time to meet legitimate and expected items of
work or delays.

• The precise measurement of which is uneconomical because of their

infrequent or irregular occurrence.

• This allowance provides for small unavoidable delays as well as for

CONTINGENC occasional minor extra work:
Y • Some of the examples calling for contingency allowance are:
ALLOWANCE • Tool breakage involving removal of tool from the holder and all
other activities to insert new tool into the tool holder.
• Power failures of small duration.
• Obtaining the necessary tools and gauges from central tool
store.

• Contingency allowance should not exceed 5%.

• ILLUSTRATION
1: Assuming that the total
observed time for an
operation of assembling an
electric switch is 1.00 min. If
the rating is 120%, find
normal time. If an allowance
of 10% is allowed for the
operation, determine the
standard time.
 • Maynard operation sequence
Maynard Operation technique (MOST) is
Sequence Technique a predetermined motion time

(MOST) system (PMTS ), Considered a

revolutionary PMTS that is used
primarily in industrial settings to set
the standard time in which a
worker should perform a task.

• Developed by Kjell Zandin and H.

B. Maynard and Company, Inc. in
1974

• The movement of objects follows

consistently repeating patterns. It
concentrate on repeated patterns
in the sequence of MTM (Methods
time measurement) .
• To calculate standard time , a task is broken down into individual motion elements,

and each is assigned a numerical time value in units known as time measurement

units, or TMUs, where 100,000 TMUs is equivalent to one hour.

• All the motion element times are then added together and any allowances are added,

and the result is the standard time.

• It is more common in Asia whereas the original and more sophisticated Methods Time

Measurement (MTM) technique, better known as MTM, is a global standard.

Time Measurement Units

• 1 hour = 100,000 TMU

• 1 minute = 1667 TMU

• 1 second = 27.8 TMU

• 1 TMU = 0.00001 hour

• 1 TMU = 0.0006 minutes

• 1 TMU = 0.036 seconds

PMTS: Advantages and Disadvantages

ADVANTAGES

Eliminates the need for subjective performance rating

Easy to learn and apply

Allows for simulation/forecasting

DISADVANTAGES

Can be met with apprehension by those who are

unfamiliar with this work measurement technique
Features of MOST

• Reduces application time

• Is accurate

• Is easy to learn and use

• Requires a minimum of paperwork

• Generates consistent results

• Encourages method improvement

• Can be used in a wide variety of industries

• 100% performance level

• activity timings can be obtained in advance

MOST Work Measurement Systems

BasicMOST, MiniMOST and MaxiMOST

• The most commonly used version of MOST is BasicMOST, which was released
in Sweden in 1972 and in the United States in 1974.

• Typically used for :

• Activities that are ‘medium cycle’ (a few seconds to approximately 10

minutes)

• Repetitive and non-repetitive activities

• Two other variations, called MiniMOST and MaxiMOST were released in 1980.

• The difference between the three is their level of focus—

• the motions recorded in BasicMOST are on the level of tens of TMUs,

• while MiniMOST uses individual TMUs and

• MaxiMOST uses hundreds of TMUs.

• Applications—

• MiniMOST is commonly used for short (less than about a minute), repetitive cycles,

• MaxiMOST for longer (more than several minutes), non-repetitive operations.

• BasicMost is in the position between them, and can be used accurately for operations ranging from
less than a minute to about ten minutes.

AdminMOST

• Version of BasicMOST that focuses on analyzing administrative and clerical activities

• Another variation of MOST is known as AdminMOST. Originally developed and released under the name
ClericalMOST in the 1970s, it was recently updated to include modern administrative tasks and renamed. It
is on the same level of focus as BasicMOST.
 • The focus of Basic MOST is on work activity involve the movement of objects.

• The majority of industrial manual work does involve moving objects (e.g., parts, tools)
from one location to another in the workplace.

• Basic MOST uses motion aggregates (collections of basic motion elements) that are
concerned with moving things.

• The motion aggregates are called activity sequence models in Basic MOST.

• There are three activity sequence models in Basic MOST, each of which consists of a

Basic MOST
standard sequence of actions:
• General move:- This sequence model is used when an object is moved freely
through space from one location to the next (e.g., picking something up from the
floor and placing it on a table).
• Controlled move:- This sequence model is used when an object is moved while it
remains in contact with a surface (e.g., sliding the object along the surface) or the
object is attached to some other object during its movement (e.g., moving a lever
on a machine).
• Tool use.:-This sequence model applies to the use of a hand tool (e.g., a hammer
or screwdriver).
• The actions in an activity
sequence model, called
sequence model
parameters in Basic MOST,
are similar to basic motion
elements in MTM.

• Let us examine the three

sequence models and
indicate the standard
sequence of model
parameters for each.
The General Move Sequence Model :

A B G A B P A

GENERAL MOVE:- The General Move sequence is applicable when an object is moved through the
air from one location to another.

• Roughly 50% of all manual work occurs as a General Move. The percentage runs higher for
assembly and material handling and lower for machine shop operations.

• The General Move follows a fixed sequence of steps:

• Reach, either directly or in conjunction with body motions or steps.

• Gain control of the object.

• Move the object, as in “reach”.

• Place the object in temporary or final position.

• Return to the workplace.

These parameters occur in the following standard sequence in the General Move:

• where the first three parameters (A B G) represent basic motions to get an object,

• the next three parameters (A B P) represent motions to put or move the object to a new
location, and

• the final parameter (A) applies to any motions at the end of the sequence, such as return
to original position.
The General Move Sequence Model A B G A B P A

• There are four parameters (actions) in the General Move, symbolized by letters of the alphabet:

• A — Action distance, usually horizontal. This parameter is used to describe movements of the fingers, hands, or feet
(e.g., walking). The movement can be per formed either loaded or unloaded.

• B — Body motion, usually vertical. This parameter defines vertical body motions and actions (e.g., sitting, standing
up).

• G — Gain control. This parameter is used for any manual actions involving the fingers, hands, or feet to gain physical
control of one or more objects. ft is closely related to the grasp motion element in MTM (e.g., grasp the object).

• P — Placement. The placement parameter is used to describe the action involved to lay aside, position, orient, or
align an object after it has been moved to the new location (e.g., position the object).
• To complete the activity sequence model,
each parameter is assigned a numerical
value in the form of a subscript or index
number that represents the time to
accomplish that action.

• The value of the index number depends on

the type of action, its motion content, and
the conditions under which it is performed.

• When the index values have been entered

for all parameters, the time for the
sequence model is determined by
summing the index values and multiplying
by 10 to obtain the total TMUs.
Action Distance (A)

This parameter is used to analyze all spatial movement or actions of the fingers, hands,
and/or feet.

• A0 < 2 Inches This is any displacement of the fingers, hands, and/or feet a distance of 2
inches or less.

• A1 Within Reach Actions that are confined to an area described by the arc of the
outstretched arm pivoted about the shoulder.

• A3 One to Two Steps The trunk of the body is shifted or displaced by walking, stepping to
the side, or turning the body around using 1 or 2 steps.

• More Than 2 Steps Used with Action Distance data table to cover longer movements.
Body Motion (B)

This parameter is used to analyze either vertical motions of the body or the actions
necessary to overcome an obstruction or impairment to body movement.

• B3 -- Bend & Arise, 50% Occurrence Bend & Arise is required only 50% of the time during
a repetitive activity.

• B3 -- Sit or Stand without Moving Chair When the body is simply lowered into a chair from
an erect position, without hand/foot motions required to manipulate the chair.

• B6 -- Bend & Arise From an erect standing position, the trunk of the body is lowered by
bending from the waist and/or knees to allow the hands to reach below the knees.

• B10 -- Sit or Stand A series of several hand, foot, and body motions to move a stool /
chair into position followed by the body sitting or standing.
GAIN CONTROL (G)
This parameter is used to analyze all manual motions employed to obtain
complete manual control of an object(s) and to subsequently relinquish that
control.
• G1 -- Light Object Gain control of an object by grasping it as long as no
difficulty is encountered.
• G1 -- Light Objects Simo One hand gains control of a light object while the
other hand obtains another light object.
• G3 -- Light Object(s) Non-Simo While one hand is grasping an object, the
other hand must wait before it can grasp the other object.
Placement (P)

This parameter is used to analyze actions at the final stage of an object’s displacement to align, orient,
and/or engage the object with other object(s) before control of the object is relinquished.

• P0 -- Pickup Objects This is “placement” in which no placement occurs. The object is picked up and held.

• P0 -- Toss Object(s) Another “placement” where placement does not occur. The object is released during
the “action distance” (A) parameter without placing motions or pause to point the object toward the target.

• P1 -- Lay Aside The object is placed in an appropriate locations with no apparent aligning or adjusting
motions.

• P1 -- Loose Fit The object is placed in a more specific location than described by the Lay Aside
parameter, but with tolerances so loose that only a modest amount of control is needed for placement.

• P3 -- Adjustments Adjustments are defined as the corrective actions occurring at the point of placement,
and recognized by obvious efforts, hesitations, or correcting motions to align, orient, and/or engage the
object.
CONTROLLED MOVE SEQUENCE

• Three new sub activities are found in the Controlled Move Sequence “M” Move Controlled “X” Process Times “I”
Align

• The Controlled Move Sequence describes the manual displacement of an object over a “controlled” path.

• The Controlled Move follows a fixed sequence of steps:

• Reach, either directly or in conjunction with body motions or steps.

• Gain control of the object. Move the object over a controlled path.

• Allow time for the process to occur. Align the object after the move/process.

• Return to the workplace.

• A Controlled Move is performed under the following conditions:

• The object or device is restrained by its attachment to another object

• It’s controlled during the move by the contact it makes with the surface of another object.

• It must be moved on a controlled path to accomplish the activity.

Move Controlled (M)

This parameter is used to analyze all manually guided movements or actions of an object
over a controlled path.

• M1 -- One Stage < 12” Object displacement is achieved by a movement of the

fingers/hands/feet not exceeding 12 inches.

• M1 -- Button/Switch/Knob The device is actuated by a short pressing, moving, or rotating

action of the fingers/hands/wrist/feet.

• M3 -- One Stage > 12” Object displacement is achieved by a movement of the hands,
arms, or feet, plus body motion, exceeding 12 inches.
The Tool Use Sequence

is a combination of the General Move and Controlled Move activities.

• Tools not listed in the tables that are similar to a tool in the table can use their time values for analysis.

• Tool Use Phases • • • • • Get Tool (Object) Put Tool (Object) in Place Use Tool Put Tool (Object) Aside Return

• The Tool Use Sequence model makes use of the “A”, “B”, “G”, and “P” parameters, which are all familiar to us, plus the new Tool Use parameters.

• The Tool Use Sequence Model ABG ABP * ABP A * consists of the “tool use” parameters F, L, C, S, M, R, & T.

• Tool Use Sequence Parameters • • • • • • • F -- Fasten L -- Loosen C -- Cut S -- Surface Treat M -- Measure R -- Record T -- Think

• Fasten / Loosen Manually or mechanically assembling or disassembling one object to or from another using the fingers, a hand, or hand tools.

• Index values for “F” and “L” are determined by the body member performing the action.

• Finger Spins are the movement of the fingers and thumb to run a threaded fastener down or out, and include a light application of pressure for seating / unseating
the fastener.

• Wrist Actions • • • • Wrist Turn Wrist Stroke (with reposition) Wrist Crank Tap

• Wrist Turn During a wrist turn, the tool is not removed from the fastener during use and not repositioned on the fastener after an action.