5.

Predetermined Time
System

TI 2111 Work System Design and Ergonomics

Classifications

Work measurement techniques

Performance Direct time Predetermined Work Standard

evaluation study times sampling data

General
Funcional approaches
approaches
(for specific activities)
MTM
MTM-M, MTM-C, MTM-V
MOST

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Advantages of predetermined times

 Setting standards for a very short motions (very hard

to evaluate using other measures)
 Standard “language” of documenting sequences of
elements which define operations
 Enable to determine standard times for new
operations for whom we don’t have past data
 Enable to compare different methods of performing
a new task (before applying the preferred method)
 Usable for workers training

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Methods Time Measurements (MTM)

 The data for the development of MTM was obtained from

motion pictures (using mechanical cameras) of skilled
workers performing a wide range of motions
 Influence factors were identified and isolated in the motion
analysis
 The influence factors became the motion characteristics
which are used for determining the standard times
 Each motion was separately defined and tabulated for
setting the standard times
 MTM was accepted as a standard method in many
countries all over the world

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MTM-1 – the basic MTM module

 Basic time unit: TMU = time Measurement Unit

1 TMU = 0.00001 hour
= 0.0006 min
= 0.036 sec
This time unit was a result of the picture technology

 This time unit enable investigating much shorter

motions (around 3-4 hundredth of a second) than
using a stopwatch

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MTM-1 (1948) – definition &
characteristics
 A procedure which analyses manual work
into a basic motions required to perform it
 The procedure assigns to each motion a pre-
determined time standard which is influenced
by the environmental conditions
 Based on 23 basic motions and consists of
approximately 5,000 time values (4,988)

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Basic Elements
 Reach (R): move the hand or finger to a destination – affected by the
length of the motion and the type of reach
 Move (M): transport an object to a destination – affected by length of a
motion, the weight of the object and the type of move
 Grasp (G): secure sufficient control on one or more objects with the
fingers or hand in order to permit the performance of the next required
motion – affected by the size shape and location of the object
 Position (P): align, orient, and engage object with another object (when
only minor motions required) – affected by the ease of handling,
symmetry and the amount of pressure required for insertion
 Release (RL): relinquish control of an object by the fingers or hand

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Basic Elements (cont.)
 Disengage (D): break contact between one object to another –
affected by the amount of effort required
 Turn (T): the motion employed to turn the hand, either empty or
loaded, by a movement that rotates the hand, wrist, and forearm
about the long axis of the forearm – affected by the degree of
rotation and by the weight of the object
 Apply pressure (AP)
 Eye Travel (ET): considered only when the eyes must direct the
hand or the body movements (includes eye focus and eye travel
time) – affected by the distance between the travel points and the
distance between the eye to the line of travel
 Body leg and foot motion (BMF): other motions which are
associated with the body and legs (walking, standing, bending
etc.)
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Other MTM Based Methods

 MTM-2 (1965):
 Used for setting standard time for longer tasks
 Based on 9 basic motions and consists of 39 time values
 MTM-3 (1970):
 Consists of 4 categories of manual motions (10 time
values):
 Handle, Transport, Step & foot motion, and Bend & arise
 MTM-V : Metal cutting operations
 MTM-C : Clerical work

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MOST – Maynard Operation
Sequence Technique
 In MTM:
 the elements are stand alone and do not relate to
the sequence of the operation

 In MOST:
 The compete sequence of the operation, which
consists of smaller elements, is addressed

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What is MOST ?

 Maynard Operation Sequence Technique

 Developed by Zandin (1980)
 Utilizes larger blocks of fundamental motions than
MTM-1
 General Move
 AB GAB PA
 Controlled Move
 ABGM XIA
 Tool Use
 AB GAB P_AB PA

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Three activity sequences in MOST

 The General Move Sequence (for a free movement

through air)
 The Controlled Move Sequence (for a movement in
which the object remains in contact with a surface or
is attached to another object during the movement)
 The Tool Use Sequence (for the use of common
hand tools)

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Why MOST?

 It is much faster than traditional time study

technique (e.g. Basic MOST is 40 times
faster than MTM-1)
 Accuracy of up to 95% can be obtained
 It requires less documentation

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Remember TMU ?

 Time for therbligs is measured in Time

Measurement Unit (TMU)
 1 TMU = 0.00001 hour
= 0.0006 minute
= 0.036 second
 1 hour = 100,000 TMU
 1 minute = 1,667 TMU
 1 second = 27.8 TMU

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Sequence Models
Basic MOST WORK MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE
ACTIVITY SEQUENCE MODEL SUB – ACTIVITIES
General Move ABG ABP A A – Action Distance
B – Body Motion
G – Gain Control
P – Placement
Controlled Move ABG MXI A M – Move Controlled
X – Process Time
I – Alignment
Tool Use ABG ABP _ ABP A F – Fasten
L – Loosen
C – Cut
S – Surface Treat
M – Measure
R – Record
T - Think
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 MOST Study Form
Code:
MOST - Calculation Date:
Area: Sign:
Page: /
Activity:
Conditions:
No. Method Sequence Model Fr. TMU
1 Describe activity 1 Ax Bx Gx Ax Bx Px Ax

2 Describe activity 2 Ax Bx Gx Ax Bx Px Ax

3 Describe activity 3 Ax Bx Gx Mx Xx Ix Ax

Ax Bx Gx Ax Bx Px _ Ax Bx Px Ax

TIME = minutes (min.)

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MOST Study Form

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Example
 Get cover, and place in front.
 Reach 24”, grasp, move 24” in front.

 Open cover.
 Reach the cover with other hand by 30”, grasp the flap
of cover, disengage the flap with normal effort, turn flap
by 120 degree.
 Remove spec from the cover, and place aside on table.
 Grasp the spec inside the cover, move it out of the frame
by 4”, move it on the table by 30”
 Close the cover.
 Reach for the cover flap in other hand, turn the cover to
close, apply slight pressure
 Put the cover aside.
 Move it back to previous position in 30”

TI 2111 Work System Design and Ergonomics18

Example
 Get cover, and place in front.
 Reach 24”, grasp, move 24” in front.

 A1 B0 G1 A1 B0 P1 A0

 Open cover.
 Reach the cover with other hand by 30”, grasp the flap
of cover, disengage the flap with normal effort, turn flap
by 120 degree.
 A1 B0 G3 M1 X0 I0 A0

 Remove spec from the cover, and place aside on table.

 Grasp the spec inside the cover, move it out of the frame
by 4”, move it on the table by 30”
 A1 B0 G3 A1 B0 P1 A0

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Example

 Close the cover.

 Reach for the cover flap in other hand, turn the cover to
close, apply slight pressure
 A1 B0 G1 M3 X0 I0 A0

 Put the cover aside.

 Move it back to previous position in 30”

 A0 B0 G0 A1 B0 P1 A1

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