An investigation of the effect of minute motion path variations upon operator performance
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Authors
Clark, Robert Ora
Subjects
Advisors
Date of Issue
1954-05
Date
Publisher
Purdue University
Language
en_US
Abstract
The technique of time study, originated by Taylor, and the technique of motion study, developed by the Gilbreths, are used together in the present day study of production jobs. As a result of this job study the analyst must decide upon a standard rate of activity for each element of the operation. This decision, being based in part on the analyst's observation of the operator, is complicated by several factors, one of them being the variations in the motion paths of the operators. Also, researchers have found some relationships between the motion path variations of operators and their job performance. The object of this investigation was to compare minute variations in motion paths, for standardized therblig activity, with the times required to complete these motions as a measure of operator performance. A task which involved a sequence of therbligs required to traverse a triangular work area containing three stations was selected for investigation. Four transport empty and two transport loaded therbligs were included in the task. The task was performed by twelve male subjects at three selected rates each. These rates consisted of maximum, about 75% of maximum, and about 50% of maximum. The criterion selected for the minute motion path variations was the distance of the point of maximum deviation on the motion path as measured from a reference line. Films taken with motion picture cameras mutually at right angles were the bases for this measurement. The time required for one work cycle was selected to be the criterion of operator performance.
Type
Thesis