Fatigue study : $b the elimination of humanity's greatest unnecessary waste. A first step in motion studyGilbreth, Lillian Moller
Science
Fatigue study : $b the elimination of humanity's greatest unnecessary waste. A first step in motion study
Gilbreth, Lillian Moller
Fatigue; Industrial efficiency; Motion study
The rigging on a typical Gilbreth packet, as used for the assembly
of braiders and cord machines at the New England Butt Company. This
picture shows only the supporting devices. The length of the supporting
devices is determined by what is to be held upon them. The right
quantity of each kind, therefore, can be put on without counting.
These devices are standardized and are but few in number. They are
specially designed and arranged for picking up parts with both hands,
simultaneously, in an obvious sequence with shortest motions and least
fatigue.]
Outline of the Changes to Be Made.
It became apparent, as the work progressed, that the determining
elements were (1) to shorten, as far as possible, the distance for
transporting the arms and hands while loaded; (2) to arrange the parts
so that their sequence of use would be obvious; (3) to position each
piece so that it could be grasped, transported, and released in the
shortest time with the least expenditure of effort and with the least
resulting fatigue. This meant that the parts should be arranged on
some sort of a holder, or packet, that would shorten the transporting
distance, and that the base group should be placed upon a table that
would carry it as near this packet as possible.
The Solution of the Problem.
A packet, which was practically a table with its top extending
vertically, was placed near the table supporting the base group, and
removable wire rods of the right length were placed in it to support
the various pieces in the best position for grasping. This also
considered the shortest distance for transporting the arms and hands,
whether empty or loaded. These table packets were then modified,
following closely the principles of the design of the brick packet,
especially the hand-hole feature for firm grasping with one motion and
for quick counting of the number of pieces. The packets now consist of
strips of wood two inches apart, horizontally, and two inches apart,
vertically, with holes for pins, interchangeable wire rods, forked
hooks, and other hangers, including interchangeable platforms, shelves,
and vertical supports, extended and positioned for still shorter reach,
and holding in turn such devices as pins to permit the best position
for handful grasping without disturbing the motions of the hand or
the wrist from the natural position, or, that is, the position most
resembling that of normal rest.
The right position for grasping anything with least fatigue is that
position that will permit grasping without turning, twisting, or
holding the wrist at all from its natural resting position, that is,
with muscles in natural balance. It is but natural that this should
be the best way, for it cuts out the positioning motions of the hand
prior to grasping.
Two reasons that the strips of wood were made two inches apart,
horizontally, and two inches apart, vertically, were:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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