Principles

Of
Motion Economy
A better method of doing a job is one which
consume minimum of time and energy in
performing limb (hand, foot, legs etc.)
motions in order to complete the job and this
is possible due to economizing the use of
motion.
They were first used by Frank Gilbreth, the
founder of motion study, and have been
amplified by other workers, notably Professor
Barnes. They may be grouped under three
headings
Use of the human body.
Arrangement of the workplace.
Design of tools and equipment.

Rules Concerning Human

Body
Both hands should be used for productive
work.
Both the hands start and finish their motions
at same time.
The two hands should not be idle at the same
time except during periods of rest.
Motions of the arms should be symmetrical
and in opposite directions
Motion should be smooth and continuous.
Work should be arranged so that eye
movements are confined to a comfortable
area, without the need for frequent changes
of focus.
Continuous curved movements are to be
preferred to straight-line motions involving
sudden and sharp changes in direction.

Parameters
Both hands should
be used for
productive work.
Both the hands
start and finish
their motions at
same time.
The two hands
should not be idle
at the same time
except during
periods of rest.
Motions of the
arms should be
symmetrical and in
opposite directions
Motion should be
smooth and
continuous.
Work should be
arranged so that
eye movements

Actual
Findings

Inference
This rule was
followed
This rule is
not applicable
The hands
were not idle
except for
breaks or
machine
problems
This rule was
followed
This rule was
followed
Everything
was arranged
at a

are confined to a
comfortable area,
without the need
for frequent
changes of focus.
Continuous curved
movements are to
be preferred to
straight-line
motions involving
sudden and sharp
changes in
direction.

comfortable
height

This rule was

partially
followed.

Rules Concerning
Workplace Layout &
Material Handling

 Definite and fixed stations should be

provided for all tools and materials to permit
habit formation.
Tools and materials should be pre-positioned
to reduce searching.
Gravity feed, bins and containers should be
used to deliver the materials as close to the
point of use as possible.
Tools, materials and controls should be
located within the maximum working area
and as near to the worker as possible.
Materials and tools should be arranged to
permit the best sequence of motions.
The colour of the workplace should contrast
with that of the work and thus reduce eye
fatigue.
Parameters
Actual
Inference
Findings
Definite and fixed
This rule was
stations should be
followed
provided for all
tools and materials
to permit habit
formation.
Tools and
All tools were
materials should
placed at
be pre-positioned
respective
to reduce
places
searching.
Gravity feed, bins
The goods
and containers
were moved
should be used to
along the line
deliver the
through a

materials as close
to the point of use
as possible.
Tools, materials
and controls
should be located
within the
maximum working
area and as near
to the worker as
possible.
Materials and tools
should be
arranged to permit
the best sequence
of motions.
The colour of the
workplace should
contrast with that
of the work and
thus reduce eye
fatigue.

channel
between two
rows of
machines
This rule was
followed

Materials
were not
always in
their place
This rule was
followed

Rules Concerning Design of

Tools and Equipment
The hands should be relieved of all work of
"holding" the workpiece where this can be
done by a jig, fixture or foot-operated device.

 Two or more tools should be combined

wherever possible.
Where each finger performs some specific
movement, as in typewriting, the load should
be distributed in accordance with the
inherent capacities of the fingers.
Handles such as those on cranks and large
screwdrivers should be designed so as to
permit as much of the surface of the hand as
possible.
Levers, crossbars and hand wheels should be
so placed that the operator can use them
with the least change in body position.

Parameters
The hands should
be relieved of all
work of "holding"
the workpiece
where this can be
done by a jig,
fixture or foot-

Actual
Findings

Inference
The machines
were
electronic and
the
components
were not
heavy

operated device.

Two or more tools

should be
combined
wherever possible.
Where each finger
performs some
specific
movement, as in
typewriting, the
load should be
distributed in
accordance with
the inherent
capacities of the
fingers.
Handles such as
those on cranks
and large
screwdrivers
should be
designed so as to
permit as much of
the surface of the
hand as possible.
Levers, crossbars
and hand wheels
should be so
placed that the
operator can use

Nothing of
this sorts was
observed
The index
fingers had
more work.
(the nature of
the work
demands this
rule to be
violated)

This rule was

followed

Everything
was well
within the
reach of the
workers.

them with the

least change in
body position.