King Abdulaziz University IE 341: Work Study

Faculty of Engineering Fall 2024/2025

Q1. Decide whether each of the following sentences is true or false. CORRECT if needed:
( ) Performance rating is an important step in the Predetermined Motion Time Systems (PMTS). 1.
( ) The MTM1 system works on the "work element" level in the hierarchy of work activity. 2.
( ) Work sampling is applied on the "task" level in the hierarchy of work activity. 3.
( ) MTM1 tables generate times in unit of second. 4.
( ) In the MTM1 system, the work activity MOVE requires only knowledge of object's weight. 5.
( ) MOST is a high-level PMTS that is based on MTM but uses motion aggregates. 6.
( ) Operating a machine by pulling up a lever is an example of General Move sequence model and 7.
using a screwdriver is described by a Controlled Move sequence model.
( ) The standard sequence in controlled move is represented by ABGAMXIGA. 8.
( ) Learning rate is the proportion by which the task time is multiplied every time the number of 9.
task cycles doubles.
( ) High learning rate means high performance of the workers. 10.
( ) The learning rate is the same as the improvement rate. 11.
( ) The slope of the learning curve is always negative. 12.
nd rd th
( ) If the first cycle time is 7 h and the learning rate is 80%, then the times of the 2 , 3 and 4 13.
cycles are 5.6 h, 4.48 h and 3.584 h, respectively.

Q2. Solve the following problems:

1. An office worker sitting at a desk performs a MOVE. The moved object is a file weighing less than 1
lb. The distance is an approximate location 14 in. away from the starting point. Determine the MTM-1
symbol and normal time in TMUs and in seconds for this motion element.

2. A work element in a machine maintenance operation consists of the following MTM-1 elements: (1)
R14B, (2) G1A, (3) M12B2, (4) P1SSE, (5) RL1. (a) Determine the normal times in TMUs for these
motion elements. (b) What is the standard time for this work element in sec if the PFD allowance is
15%?

3. A work element in a machine maintenance operation consists of the following MTM-1 elements: (1)
W3P, i.e., (2) S, (3) R15B, (4) G1C1, (5) AS, (6) W3P, (6) M10B2, (7) P1NSD, (8) RL1. (a)
Determine the normal times in TMUs for these motion elements. (b) What is the total time for this
work element in sec?

4. Develop the activity sequence model and determine the normal time for the following work activities:

(a) A clerk walks 8 steps, bends and picks up a file folder from the floor, places it on the counter
within reach at that location, and then returns to his original location.
(b) A drill press operator reaches 20 cm (8 in) and pulls the feed lever down to engage the feed
motion, which takes 12 sec.

5. The allowance factor for personal time, fatigue, and delay (PF&D) is to be determined in the machine
shop area. If it is estimated that the proportion of time per day spent in these three categories is 0.12,
determine how many observations would be required to be 95% confident that the estimated proportion
is within ±0.02 of the true proportion?
6. A work sampling study was performed during a three-hour final exam to determine the proportion of
time that students spend using a calculator. There were 70 students taking the exam. A total of five
observations were taken of each student at random times during the three hours. Of the total
observations taken, 77 of the observations found the students using their calculators. (a) Form a 90%
confidence interval on the proportion of time students spend using their calculators during an exam. (b)
How many observations must be taken for the analyst to be 95% confident that the estimate of
proportion of time a student uses a calculator is within ±3% of the true proportion?

7. The Chief IE in the production department wanted to know what value of PFD allowance to use for a
particular section of the shop. A work sampling study was authorized. Only three activity categories
were considered: (1) production work, (2) personal time, rest breaks, and delays, and (3) other
activities. Over a four-week period (40 hours/week), 100 observations were made at random times.
Each observation captured the category of activity of each of 22 production workers in the
department. Results indicated that category 2 constituted 19% of the total observations. (a) Define the
limits of a 95% confidence interval for activity 2. (b) If a total of 522 work units were produced
during the 4 weeks, and the 1540 observations in category 1 activity were all devoted to producing
these units, what was the average time spent on each unit?

8. A drilling operation is to be performed on a wood unit material thickness = 94 mm. The point angle of
the drill = 118. Cutting conditions are: cutting speed = 62 m/min and feed = 0.003 in/rev. The machine
allowance is 11% and the drill bit passed the unit with 6 mm. The diameter of the drill bit is 22 mm.
How long will the drilling operation take? Assume the process time begins when the drill bit makes
initial contact with the work surface. Determine the standard time for the task.

9. In a mechanical assembly operation, the first work unit required 7.83 min to complete and the
learning rate for mechanical assembly is 84% in the Crawford model. Using this learning curve
model, determine the unit times to produce (a) the second unit, (b) the 10th unit, and (c) the 100th unit.
(d) What are the total cumulative time and the average cumulative time for the 100 units?

10. Four units of a welded steel product have been completed and are being shipped to the customer by
18-wheeler tractor-trailer. The same worker welded all units. The total time to complete all four units
was 100 hours. If the learning rate applicable to the fabrication of products of this type is known to be
84%, what were the unit times for each of the four units? Use the Crawford learning curve model.

11. Solve the previous problem but use the Wright learning curve model instead of the Crawford model.

12. In the production of a new product, the first unit is expected to require 50 labor hours to be completed.
The labor hour costs $20. Material and other direct manufacturing costs are $160 per unit. Due to
learning, the unit time is expected to decrease with a learning rate of 88% until the 40 th unit, after
which the unit time will remain constant. Using the Crawford learning curve model, calculate (a) the
time and cost of the 40th unit, (b) the total cumulative time and cost of producing 100 units, and (c) the
average unit time and cost if a total of 100 units will be produced.