Work Study – Method

Study
Techniques for improving
productivity

Company
LOG
O
 Outline

1.. WorkSSttuudy

2.. Method Study

3.. Variious

Charts

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 2

 Work Study (Cont.)

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 3

 WORK STUDY - TECHNIQUES

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 4

 Work Study
 1.1.1 Definition of Work Study
 According to the British Standard Institution, “Work Study is
a generic term for those techniques, particularly Method Study
and Work Measurement, which are used in all its context, and
which lead systematically to the investigation of all the
factors
, which affect the efficiency and economy of the situation
being reviewd in order to effect improvement”.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 5

 Objectives of Work Study

 Objectives of Work Study

 To analyse the present method of doing the job in order
to develop a better method.
 To measure the work content of the job by measuring
the time required to do the job for a qualified worker
and hence to establish the standard time.
 To increase the productivity by ensuring best possible
use of human, machine and material resources and to
achieve best quality product/service at minimum
possible cost.
 To improve operational efficiency.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 6

 Benefits of Work Study
 Benefits of Work study
 Increased productivity and operational efficiency
 Reduced manufacturing cost.
 Improved work place layout.
 Better manpower planning and capacity planning
 Fair wages to employees.
 Better working conditions to employees
 Improved work flow.
 Reduced material handling cost.
 Provides a Standard of Performance to measure labour
efficiency.
 Better Industrial Relations and Employee morale.
 Basis for sound incentive schemes.
 Provides better job satisfaction to employees

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 7

 Method Study - Introduction
 Method Study is a technique to reduce the work content by
analysing each operation of a given piece of work very
closely in order to eliminate unnecessary
operations/movements by workers, materials or equipments. It
includes standardization of equipment, method and working
conditions, and training the operators to follow the standard
method
 However, even after that, there could be substantial
unnecessary time taken for the process because of lack of
management control or inaction of worker.
 Method Study approaches and tools of Method Analyst:
 Flow Diagrams & Process Charts
 etc. Critical questioning techniques.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 8

 Method Study - Definition
.

1.2.1 Definition of Method study

Method study can be defined as “Systematic recording and

critical examination of existing and proposed ways of doing
work, as a means of developing and applying easier and more
effective method and thereby reducing costs”.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 9

 Method Study Objectives

 Improvement of processes and procedures so as

to improve productivity and thereby reduce operating
 cost.
 Improvement in the design of plant and
 equipment. Improvement of layout.
 Improvement in the use
Economy in human of men,
effort and materials
reductionand
of
machines.
unnecessary fatigue.
 To Standardise work methods or processes,
machinery, equipments and tools.
 Development of better working environment.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 10

 Method Study - Benefits

1. Work Simplification
2. Improved working method
3. Better product quality
4. Improved workplace layout
5. Improved equipment Design.
6. Better working conditions/environment
7. Better materials handling and lesser material handling cost.
8. Improved work flow
9. Less fatigue to workmen.
10. Optimum utilization of all resources.
11. Shorter production cycle time.
12. Higher job satisfaction for workmen.
13. Reduced material consumption and wastages.
14. Reduced manufacturing cost and higher productivity.


February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 11
 Method Study – Need for Analysis
 The need for improvement is not always apparent. However,
following are some of the pointers which may indicate
need for Method Study :
the
 Operating costs-running higher than normal or gradually
increasing
 High wastage-pooruseof materials, machinery, labor,
space and services.
 Excessive movement and backtracking,handling
of materials and men.
 Existence of production
 bottlenecks Excessive overtime
 Excessive rejections and reworks,
 poor quality from workers-poor working condition
Complaints
heavy
of job,
 etc.
Increasing number of accidents
February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 12
 Method study - Methodology
 Procedure to accomplish method study, called "SREDIM"
shall be as follow:
1. Select: the job or operation that needs improvement,
2. Record: all facts, how work is done by chart methods,
3. Examine: every aspect of the job by asking; what, why,
where, when, who and how
4. Develop: review ideas, eliminate, simplify, combine, re-
arrange, make new method which more safe, chart new
method, submit for approval,
5. Install: the new method, consider best time to introduce,
convince all, train users,
6. Maintain: check frequently, match results, correct
deviations.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 13

 SELECTION: FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

 While selecting a job for method study, the following factors are to
be considered:

 1) Economical considertions: The cost of study , loss of time due to

investigation, costs short term and long term associated with
prospective changes in the recommended working method of the job
should be carefully estimated and examined . if the accumulated
estimated benefits outweigh the estimated total cost, as mentioned
above, then it should be taken up.
 Based on economical considerations the following jobs are selected :
 (a) Operations having bottlenecks(which hold up production)
Operations done repetitively
 (b) Operations having a great amount of manual work.

 (c) Operations where materials are moved for a long

distance.
 (d)
February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 14
 SELECTION: FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED

 2) Technical considerations: The important point is to make sure that

adequate technical knowledge is available with which to carry out the study.
Examples are:
 a) A machine tool constituting a bottleneck in production is known to be
running at a speed at which the high speed or ceramic cutting tools will not
operative effectively. Can it be speeded up or is the machine is itself not
robust enough to take faster cut?. This calls for advice of a machine tool
expert.

 3) Human reactions : These are the most important considerations to be

made, since mental and emotional reactions to investigation , and change of
method has to be anticipated. Trade Union representative have to be educated
on the general objectives of the method study. If however the study of a
particular job is creating unrest or ill feeling amongst the workmen ,leave it
alone however promising it may be for economic point of view.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 15

 Methodology (Cont.)
Selec
t
Record

Examine

O
K
?
Develop
Install

February 9, 2015
Maintai
Lab # 6: Method Study 16
 Method Study Tools

 Exploratory
Tools

Pareto Analysis
Fish & Bone Diagrams


 Gantt and PERT

 Recording
charts and Analysis
Tools
 Outline Process Chart

 Flow process chart

 Flow diagram

 Worker and Machine Process Charts

 Gang Process charts

 Synchronous Servicing

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 17

 Recording Techniques
 Chart
1. sOutline process chart.
2. Flow process chart (man-type, material-type and
equipment-type): This is the use of symbols and
description to chart the sequence of work. The process,
then, show what is happening at different
stages. The distances and time may be given.
3. Two hands process charts.
4. Multiple activity charts: This technique is used to solve
problems where a number of items are dependent on each
other. The aim is to reduce idle times by using the
optimum number of each item. It depicts the occupied
times-broken down into the number of different activities
and the idle times both for the original and proposed
methods of doing the Lab
February 9, 2015
job.
# 6: Method Study 18
 Recording (Cont.
)
Techniques
 Diagrams and models (2-D and/or 3-
1. D)
Flow diagrams, which is the use of symbols for flow
process charts, superimposed on drawings and the
"descriptions" are not necessary.
2. String diagrams, which is used for solving movement
problems since it shows congestions and excessive
distances.
3. Cut-out templates (2-D models).
4. 3-D models.
 Photography
1. Photographs,
2. Films,
3. Video.
February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 19
 Recording Techniques
in Method study

Charts Diagrams
Charts Indicating indicating
Process with a
Sequence timeMultiple
scale
activity chart movementFlow
Outline s
process chart Diagrams

Flow process Simo chart String

chart Diagram
Man type
P.M.T.S Cycle
chart
Material type chart .
chart Graph
Machine type chart Chrono-
cycle
Two -Handed Graph
process chart Travel Chart
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 Process Chart
1.Operation
Symbols
Indicates the main steps in a process, method or procedure.
Usually the part, material or product concerned is modified
or
changed during the operation.

2.Inspection

Indicates an inspection for quality and / or check for quantity

3.Transport

Indicates the movement of workers, materials or equipment

from place to place

21
4.Temporary Storage or
Delay
Indicates a delay in the sequence of events : for example, work waiting
between consecutive operations, or any object laid aside temporarily
without record until required.

5.Permanent Storage

Indicates a controlled storage in which material is

received into or issued from a store under some form of

authorization; or an item is retained for reference purposes.

6.Combined Activities

Indicates a Two symbols may be combined when two activities are

performed concurrently operation and inspection.
22
Figur 23
 Outline Process Chart
Definition:
An outline process chart is a process chart giving
an overall picture by recording in sequence only
the main operations and inspections.
While preparing the outline process chart we use
Symbols of Operation and Inspection
A brief note of the nature of each operation is
made beside the symbol
In an outline process chart, only the principal
operations and the inspections carried out
are recorded to ensure effectiveness

24
Example: Outline process chart of plywood manufacture is given

25
 FLOW PROCESS CHART

Definition:
Flow process charts are graphic representations of the
sequences of operations, transportation, inspections,
delays and storages occurring during a process or a
procedure and include information considered for analysis
such as, time required and distance moved.

To develop an understanding how a process or

work happening and clearly documenting how a
particular job is done, in addition of that mapping a
process in flow chart format helps us where the process
can be improved.
26
 Types of Flow Process
Charts
Material or product type.
Man type.
Machine type or
equipment.

Material or product type

flow process chart:-
Records what happens to the material or product i.e. the changes the
material or product undergoes in location or condition (includes
operation and transportation).

Man type process flow process chart:-

Records the activities of worker or operator i.e. what a worker or
operator does. In this type of chart usually storage term is not
applicable.
the manner in which a machine or an equipment is 27
STANDARD FORMATS USED FOR FLOW PROCESS
CHART

Company
LOG
O
28
Man type flow process chart
Job:- Writing a letter using a shorthand
typist

29
Example: Collection of materials from store (Man Type)

30
Material type flow process chart

31
Machine type flow process chart

32
 Material Type - Example

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 33

 Man Type - Example

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 34

 Two Hand Process Chart

Two-Handed Flow Process Chart, is a motion

study where the study is done to analyse the
motions used by the worker in performing an
activity.
In this chart the activities of a worker’s hands
(or limbs) are recorded in their relationship to
one another.
A Two-Handed Process Flow Chart individually
shows the movement of each hand in a manual
process. It is typically used for repetitive
operation when analyzing a manual assembly
process, to help make it easier to perform.
35
 Two-Hand Process Charts

Useful in analyzing the work performed by one

person at one specific workstation. As the name
implies, the chart follows the motion of the left
and right hands of one operator .
Each hand of the worker is treated as an activity.
Each hand’s activities are broken into work
elements and plotted side by side on a time scale.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 36

 Two-Handed Charts (Cont.)

Lists the work performed simultaneously

by each hand
 To assist in finding a better method
of performing the task and

To train the operator in the preferred
method.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 37

 Two Hand Process Chart

The objective of this investigation is to eliminate or reduce

the unwanted motions and to arrange the remaining motions
in a best sequence. A two-handed process chart is made up
of two columns in which the activities of the left hand and
right hand and the appropriate symbols are respectively
recorded in sequence.
 The activities of the two hands are inter-related
by aligning the symbols on the chart so that
movements by both hands appear opposite to
each other.
 Additional columns can be designed to record
the activities of the other parts of the body
whenever necessary.

38
 Two Hand Process Chart

Operatio An operation occurs when the hand grasps,

n releases or assembles tool, material, component etc.

Transport Transport occurs when the hand moves from one

position to another at the work place.

Delay Delay occurs when the hand is Idle in the sense

that it is not performing any activity.

Hol The term storage is not used in connection with

d the two handed process chart. Instead the symbol is
re designated as hold. A hold occurs when the hand
holds an object so that the other hand may be able
to do something to that object.

Inspection This symbol is not generally used in

this.

39
Standard format of a Two-handed process flowchart

40
Fig. 1. Example of a Two-handed process flowchart
Fixing Screw on a Assembly

Company
LOG
O
41
 Two Handed Chart (An Example)

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 42

 MULTPLE ACTIVITY CHART

Definition:
A Multiple activity chart is a form of process chart recording the related
sequence of work of a number of operators and/or machines on common
time scale. In it, the activities of more than one item, worker, machine or
equipment are recorded on a common time scale to show their inter
relation ship.
Multiple Activity Charts are very useful tool for understanding the
flow of work in a cyclic process and as a consequence understanding
which resource is controlling the overall progress of
the work.

The tool can be used to model different scenarios to determine the

optimum mix of resources for the work.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 43

 Multiple Activity Charts

 Also known as Gang Process

 Used when several workers operate a
Charts
machine
single or render a single
service
Used when a single worker is operating several
machines
 Used to show the exact relationship between idle
and operating times of both workers
and machines

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 44

 Multiple Activity Charts (Cont.)

An operation performed by one member of the

group may continue while another member is
performing more than one operation.
The chart should cover the complete cycle for the
longest performing member.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 45

 MULTIPLE ACTIVITY CHART

A Chart in which the activities of more than one item are recorded
on a common time scale to show their inter-relationship. Man
machine chart is the type of multiple activity charts.

TYPES:
Man - Machine chart: One man handling one job or one machine.

Man - Multi machine chart: One man handling a numbers of machines.

Machine Multi - man chart: A group or gang doing collectively one job as
in riveting.
Multi – Man - Machine chart: A number of persons working on a computer
system.

46
 MULTIPLE ACTIVITY CHART

Multiple activity chart brings out the comparative utilisation

of men and machines very clearly and helps to synchronise the
various activities and improve the situation. It is a useful tool
for planning team work and determining the staffing pattern.

The multiple activity charts shows up clearly the periods of

ineffective time and by rearrangement of work it becomes
possible to eliminate or reduce the injective time

Activities of the machines are recorded in relation to that of the

operator, the chart is sometimes called as the man machine chart; This
is only a special variant of the multiple activity chart

47
 Example on Man Machine Chart (Present Method)

TIME MAN MACHINE TIME

(MI (MI
N) N)
0.2 Remove finished casting IDLE 0.2
cleans with
compressed air
0.4 Gauge depth of slot IDLE 0.4
on surface plate
0.8 PLACE in a box IDLE 0.8
obtains new casting
1.0 Cleans machine with IDLE 1.0
compressed air
1.2 Locates castings in IDLE 1.2
fixture, starts machine
1.4 IDLE Cutting slot 1 1.4
1.6 IDLE Cutting slot 2 1.6
1.8 IDLE Cutting slot 3 1.8
2.0 IDLE Cutting slot 4 2.0
48
 EXAMPLE ON MAN MACHINE CHART
(Summary of Present method)

CYCLE TIME(MIN)= 2.0

Man – Workin Idle Time Utilizatio

Machin g Time (min.) n
e (min.)
(%)

MAN 1.2 0.8 60%

MACHINE 0.8 1.2 40%
49
Example on Man Machine Chart (Improved Method)

TIME MAN MACHINE TIME

(MI (MI
N) N)
0.2 REMOVED FINISHED CASTING IDLE 0.2
CLEANS WITH COM PRESED
AIR
0.4 CLEAN MACHINE WITH IDLE 0.4
COMPRESED AIR
0.6 LOCATEES A NEW CASTING IN A IDLE 0.6
FIXTURE START MACHINE
0.8 BREAKS SHARP EDGES WITH CUTTIN 0.8
FILES CLEANS WITH G SLOT
COMPRESSED AIR 1
1.0 GAUGE DEPTH OF SLOT ON CUTTIN 1.0
SURFACE PLATE G SLOT
2
1.2 PLACES CASTING IN A BOX PICKS CUTTIN 1.2
UP NEW CASTING AND PLATE G SLOT
BY MACHINE 3
1.4 IDLE CUTTIN 1.4
G SLOT
4

50
 EXAMPLE ON MAN MACHINE CHART
(Summary of Improved method)

CYCLE TIME(MIN)= 1.4

Man – Workin Idle Time Utilizatio

Machin g Time (min.) n
e (min.)
(%)

MAN 1.2 0.2 85.7%

MACHINE 0.8 0.6 57.0%
51
 COMPARISION BETWEEN
PRESENT AND IMPROVED METHOD

CYCL MAN IDLE

E MACHINE TIME(MIN)
TIME IDLE TIME
(MIN) ( MIN)
PRESEN 2.0 0.8 1.2
T
METHOD
IMPROVE 1.4 0.2 0.6
D
METHOD
52
 Man-machine chart

 The worker and machine process chart (Man-

machine
chart) is used to study, analyze, and improve one
workstation at a time.
 The chart shows the exact time relationship between the
working cycle of the person and operating cycle of the
machine.
 These facts can lead to utilization of both worker and
machine time, and a better balance of the work cycle.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 53

 Worker-Machine Chart for a Gourmet Coffee Store

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 54

 Worker-Machine Chart for a Gourmet Coffee Store

The customer, the clerk, and the coffee grinder (machine) are involved in this
operation. It required 1 minute and 10 seconds for the customer to purchase a
pound of coffee in this particular store. During this time the customer spent 22
seconds, or 31 percent of the time, giving the clerk his order, receiving the
ground coffee, and paying the clerk for it. He was idle during the remaining 69
percent of the time. The clerk worked 49 seconds, or 70 percent of the time, and
was idle 21 seconds, or 30 percent of the time. The coffee grinder was in
operation 21 seconds, or 30 percent of the time, and was idle 70 percent of the
time.
February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 55
 Activity Chart for Two-Person

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 57

 Activity Chart of Emergency Tracheotomy

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 58

 Micro motion study
Micro motion study is the study of fundamental
element or subdivision of an operation by means of
a motion picture camera and a timing device
which accurately indicates the time interval on
motion picture film.

Micro motion study provides a valuable technique

for making minute analysis of those operation that
are short in cycle contain rapid movement and
involve high production over a long period of time.
For example. Sewing of garment, assembly of
small parts.

59
 Micro motion study

 Applicable for operations with very short cycles which are

repeated thousands of times.
 Goes into greater details to determine where movements and
efforts can be saved and to develop the best possible
patterns of movements.
 Enables operators to perform the operation repeatedly with
minimum effort and fatigue.
 The technique used for this typically involves filming the
operation and hence is known as micromotion study.
 Examples of operators studied could be cashier in the bank –
routine job of taking payment slips from customer and issuing
cash!

60
 Micro motion study

 Based on the idea that human activity can be divided into

movements or group of movements (therbligs) according to
the purpose for which they are made.
 The therbligs cover movements or reasons for the absence of
movement.
 Each therblig has specific color, symbol and letter for
recording purposes.
 Therbligs refer primarily to motions of the human body at the
workplace and to the mental activities associated with them.

61
 Micromotion Study -THERBLIGS
Therbligs
On analysing the result of several
motion studies conducted,
Gilbreths concluded that any
work can be done by using a
combination of some or all of 17
basic motions, called Therbligs
(Gilbreth spelled backward).
These can be classified as
effective therbligs and ineffective
therbligs. Effective therbligs take
the work progress towards
completion. Attempts can be
made to shorten them but they
cannot be eliminated. Ineffective
therbligs do not advance the
progress of work and therefore
attempts should be made to
eliminate them by applying the
Principles of Motion Economy.
Table gives different therbligs
along with their symbols and
February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study descriptions 62
 THERBLIGS

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 63

 Micro motion study

 They permit a much more precise and detailed description of

the work than any other method described.
 Considerable practice is required in identification of therbligs
before they can be used for analysis with confidence.

64
 Use of films in micro motion study

Main advantages of films over visual methods are:

 Permit greater detailing than eye observation;
 Provide greater accuracy than pencil, paper and stop watch;
 More convenient;
 Provide a positive record;
 Help in the development of the work study person.

65
 Objective of Micro motion study

1. To find most efficient way of doing work

2. Helps to study repetitive short cycle operation which
cannot be studied by ordinary method.
3. To train operator regarding motion economy.
4. It is permanent means of keeping record of method.
5. It assists in research project in the field of work
study
6. It helps to study complex activities of short duration
performed with extreme rapidity.

66
 Procedure/ Step in micro motion study

1. Filming the operation to be studied.

2. Analyzing the film.
3. Charting the result of analysis.
4. Developing and improve method.

Filming :-
The filming speed is 16 frames per second with a 16 mm movie
camera.

Film Analysis:-
1.A Projector is used for analysis purpose.
2. Projector runs the films very slowly and film can be stopped &
reversed whenever required.

67
 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

2. Movie 3. wink
1. 16 mm Camera. counter.
film.

Exposure Motion picture projector with

meter. screen 68
 Cyclegraph

 A record of path of movements, usually traced by a

continuous source of a light on a photograph.
 The path of movement of a hand, may be recorded on a
photograph by putting a ring carrying small light on
worker’s hand.
 A path of light resembling a white wire is seen.
 Later it is used with a stereoscopic camera to show the
path in three dimensions .

69
 Cyclegraph

Light (bulb) attached to the

hand

70
 Chronocyclograph

 This is a development of the cycle graph by interrupting the flow

of current so as to obtain, in the resulting sequence of flashes,
record of the time and direction of the motions
a
under observation. The resulting image was a chronocyclograph.
 The path of light appears as a series of pear-shaped dots, the
movement being in the direction in which the dots point.
 The spacing between the dots indicate the speed of movement
and show acceleration and deceleration.
 This is done by using a turning fork, which is vibrating at a
known speed, and connected with a “make and break” contact.

71
A woman demonstrating light tracking hand motions.

72
Chronocyclegraph of Woman Staking Buttons

73
Chronocyclograph of golf champion

74
 MICROMOTION STUDY – SIMO
Chart
SIMO Chart
It is a graphic representation of an activity and shows the sequence of the
therbligs or group of therbligs performed by body members of operator. It is
drawn on a common time scale. In other words, it is a two-hand process chart
drawn in terms of therbligs and with a time scale, see Figure.

Making the Simo Chart. A video film or a motion picture film is shot of the
operation as it is carried out by the operator. The film is analyzed frame by
frame. For the left hand, the sequence of therbligs (or group of therbligs) with
their time values are recorded on the column corresponding to the left hand. The
symbols are added against the length of column representing the duration of the
group of therbligs. The procedure is repeated for the right hand and other body
members (if any) involved in carrying out the operation.

It is generally not possible to time individual therbligs. A certain number of

therbligs may be grouped into an element large enough to be measured as can
be seen in Figure.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 75

 MICROMOTION STUDY – SIMO
Chart
Uses of Simo Chart
From the analysis shown about
the motions of the two hands (or
other body members) involved
in doing an operation, inefficient
motion pattern can be identified
and any violation of the principle
of motion economy can be
easily noticed. The chart,
therefore, helps in improving the
method of doing an operation so
that balanced two-handed
actions with coordinated foot
and eye motions can be
achieved and ineffective
motions can be either reduced
or eliminated. The result is a
smoother, more rhythmic work
cycle that keeps both delays and
operator fatigue to the minimum
extent.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 76

 Flow Diagrams
 A flow diagram is essentially a flow process chart drawn
to:
1. Show the layout of a facility.
2. Show the flow of work through that area
3. Show overcrowding areas, crossing worker paths,
total travel.
4. Identify how layout can be redesigned to reduce
travel, motion, collisions, etc.
5. Store materials near where they are used.
6. Increase efficiency and safety.
 Usually, the objective is to look for spatial relationships.
 It depicts the probable movement of materials in the floor
plant. The movement is represented by a line in the plant
drawing.
February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 77
 Flow diagram
It’s a top view of the work area correctly indicating the
positions of machining and other locations affecting the
movement of subject.
Therefor it gives “on-the-spot observation” of the paths of
movement of product sometimes using symbols of process

78
 Flow Diagram (Cont.)

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 79

 STRING DIAGRAM
STRING DIAGRAM
We make use of flow diagram for
recording the movement of men or
material when the movement is simple
and the path is almost fixed. But
when the paths are many and are
repetitive, it may not be possible to
record them in a flow diagram. Here a
string diagram is used.
String diagram is a scaled plan of
the shop. Location of machines and
various facilities are drawn to scale in
a drawing sheet. Pins are fixed at the
various work centres in the drawing
sheet. A continuous coloured thread or
string is taken round the pins where
the material or worker moves during
the process.

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 80

 STRING DIAGRAM
Constructions
1. Draw the layout of the shop to scale in a drawing sheet.
2. Mark the various work centres like machines, stores, work bench
etc. in the diagram.
3. Hold the drawing sheet on a soft board and fix pins at the work centres.
2. Tie one end of a coloured string to the work centre from which the movement starts.
2. Follow the path of the worker to different work centre and accordingly take the
thread to different points on the drawing board.
6.At the end of the session note down the number of movements from one work centre to
another.
6.Remove the string and measure the total length of the string. Multiply by the scale and get
the actual distance of movement.
Applications
1. It is used for recording the complex movements of material or men.
2. Back tracking, congestion, bottlenecks, under utilized paths are easily found out.
• It is used to check whether the work station is correctly located.
2. Used to record irregular movements.
• Used to find out the most economical route

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 81

 Any Question

February 9, 2015 Lab # 6: Method Study 82