POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

GSD
(General Sewing Data)

POONGIN GSD
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

GSD (General Sewing Data)

GSD(General Sewing Data) is a technique for Methods Analysis and the setting of Time
Standards for the Sewn Products Industries. GSD was developed in 1976 using MTM Core Data,
which was a Predetermined Time Standard system developed by researchers from the UK MTM
Association, and first published in 1978 by GSD (Corporate) Limited. GSD consists of 39 codes in 7
distinct categories and each code has a constant TMU (Time Measurement Unit) value to facilitate
the calculation of time standards for the Sewn Products Industries.

THE MAIN USES OF GSD

Costing Designs
Line Balancing
Investment Appraisal
Pre-Production Planning
Time Standards
Operator Training
Method Rationalization

GSD is also used as the basis for calculation of payment and reward systems, performance and
efficiency, and product cost.

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE GSD APPROACH TO METHOD & TIME STUDY

Advantages to be gained from the GSD approach and its design are consistency, accuracy, easy
and understandable communication in the field for scientific and efficient operation processes.

GSD CATEGORIES

There are seven GSD handling categories and one sewing category.

ACTIVITY BASE
CODE
FIRST LEVEL CATEGORIES
1. Obtaining and Matching Parts M
2. Aligning and Adjusting Parts A
3. Forming Shapes F
4. Trimming and Tool Use T
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

5. Aside Parts A
6. Handling Machine M
SECOND LEVEL CATEGORIES (Get and Put Data)
7. Get and Put G or P
SEWING
8. Sewing S

All of the codes have their own time value and these time values are expressed in Time
Measurement Units (TMU’s). The minimum unit of time used when developing the MTM1 data
was 1/16th of second due to the fact that the speed of the camera used was 16 film frames per
second. It had originally been decided that the unit of time measurement would be decimal hours,
so 1/16th second is equal to 0.00001735 decimal hours. It became immediately apparent to the
creators, however, the use of this unit of time was impractical and so they decided to develop a
replacement system for measuring time. Subsequently they decided that the unit of measurement
of time should equal 0.00001 hour, and it was given the name “Time Measurement Unit.”
When incentive systems are introduced into the workplace and workers increase their
performance, they produce more TMU’s in any given period of time. This higher performance level
is described as “MTM120” or “High Task”. This means:

1 Hour 120,000 TMU’s

1 Minutes 2,000 TMU’s
1 Second 33.33 TMU’s

Understanding of the GSD code

Analysis and research of motion sequence using the GSD code may help us to make a right
decision through scientific method in uncertain circumstances. When it comes to choose the right
code for analyzing, it is more affected by the motion sequence used rather than the code itself.
Moreover, we are able to modify and deign sequences of the operation through this system.

GSD CODES & TMU

In
CATEGORY ELEMENT CODE TMU
sec.
Match & Get 2 parts Together MG2T 76 2.28
Match & Get 2 parts Separately MG2S 107 3.21
Obtain and
Match parts to FOOT (without obtain) FOOT 38 1.14
Match Part
Match & Add Part with 1 hand (easy) MAPE 50 1.50
or Parts
Match & Add Part with 1 hand MAP1 56 1.68
Match & Add Part with 2 hands MAP2 69 2.07
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

Align & Match 2 Parts AM2P 61 1.83

Aligning and Adjust 1 Part (Top) AJPT 43 1.29
Adjusting Align & Reposition assembly under foot ARPN 75 2.25
Align or Adjust part(s) by pushing or sliding APSH 24 0.72
Form Fold FFLD 43 1.29
Forming
Form Crease in folded part FCRS 28 0.84
Shapes
Form Unfold or layout FUNF 23 0.69
st
Trim – CUT with scissors (1 ) TCUT 50 1.50
Trimming
Trim – Cut with scissors (additional) TCAT 25 0.75
and Tool
Trim – Cut thread with Fixed Blade TBLD 33 0.99
Use
Trim – Dechain parts with scissors TDCH 49 1.47
Aside – Push away (sliding) APSH 24 0.72
Asiding Aside part with 1 hand AS1H 23 0.69
Aside part with 2 hands AS2H 42 1.26
Machine Sew 1cm approximately greater than 1cm MS1A 17 0.51
Machine Sew 1cm accurately within 1cm MS1B 26 0.78
Machine Sew 1cm precisely within 1/2cm MS1C 37 1.11
Machine Handwheel to raise/lower needle MHDW 46 1.38
Handling
Machine Backtack at Beginning (Lever) MBTB 34 1.02
Machine
Machine Backtack at End (Lever) MBTE 37 1.11
Machine Backtack (Button) MBBT 24 0.72
Machine Backtack (Foot) MFBT 18 0.54
Machine Backtack (Automatic) MABT 4 0.12
Get part with 1 hand (Easy) GP1E 14 0.42
Get Part with 1 hand GP1H 20 0.60
Get Part with 2 hand GP2H 33 0.99
Get Part Contact Only GPCO 9 0.27
Get Part from Other Hand GPOH 6 0.18
Get & Put
Get Part by Adjusting Grasp GPAG 10 0.30
Data
Put Part to Approximate Location PPAL 10 0.30
Put Part to Other Hand PPOH 6 0.18
Put Part onto Stack PPST 14 0.42
Put Part Locate Once PPL1 27 0.81
Put Part Locate Twice PPL2 47 1.41
Foot or short leg motion F 9 0.27
Pace or step to move body P 18 0.54
Bend (and arise) B 61 1.83
Bend Down BD 29 0.87
Arise from Bending AB 32 0.96
Sit SIT 35 1.05
Additional
Stand STD 44 1.32
MTM
Eye action (simple binary checks) E 7 0.21
Elements
Crank C 15 0.45
Regrasp R 6 0.18
Apply pressure A 14 0.42
Write a Word WW 84.8 2.54
Write a Letter WL 25.1 0.75
Write a Digit or number WD 17.2 0.52
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

Write a Punctuation mark WP 9.6 0.29

Read a Word RW 5 0.15

There are additional MTM elements included on the GSD data card which are intended to
supplement the system and cover areas where GSD codes are no appropriate. For example, code
E stands for a simple movement of eyes with the purpose of quality check, and code F stands for
a short foot or leg motion when the purpose is not to move the body such as movements of the
foot on the machine treadle or movement of the knee when operating a knee switch.
Furthermore, there are additional codes being used to signify seam types and stopping accuracy
in sewing. Table below explains descriptions to classify different seam types and their codes.

SEAM TYPE DESCRIPTION GT (Guiding and Tensioning) CODE

A straight burst on a single ply N
A straight, non-visible seam on two plies L
A straight visible seam or a curved non-visible M
seam on two plies
A curved visible seam on two plies or a seam H
worked in a confined space on two plies

Following principle of the sewing code is a letter to indicate the Stopping Accuracy required

CODE TOLERANCE EXAMPLES OF STOPPING ACCURACY

A GREATHER THAN
1CM
B WITHIN 1CM
C WITHIN 1/2CM
STOP ALONG A SEAM OR RUN OFF THE FABRIC
STOP TO FORM A NON-VISIBLE BACKTACK
STOP TO CHANGE DIRECTION (NEEDLE PIVOT) OR TO
FORM A VISIBLE BACKTACK

According to these kinds of various codes usages regarding a level of work difficulty, we are able
to analyze motions more accurately for the purpose analysis research. For instance, if we have an
operation for sewing 10cm on two plies with visible seam, then we should use S10MC for the
code.
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

Also, the GSD has developed formulae for application with certain fixed cycle sewing machine as
follow.

Automatic Code SxAC X = actual stitch count

Button Hole Code SxBH X = actual stitch count
Button Sew Code SxBS X = actual stitch count
Bartack Code SxBT X = actual stitch count

OTHER FIXED CYCLE TIMES – MACHINE AND MANUAL

Fixed “process times” which occur when fixed cycle machines, such as automatic pressing
equipment and fusing presses, are used in production can be evaluated using GSD, as can manual
process times such as bundle handling. The following procedure details how this may be achieved:
1. Fixed Machine Cycle

1) Establish the cycle time in basic minutes by either timing the process with a decimal
stopwatch or, if it is reliable, obtaining the information from the machine manufacturers
specifications.
2) Convert the basic minute values to TMU’s by multiplying 2,000.
3) Prefix the resultant TMU value with the code “Z” to denote a fixed cycle machine time.
If, for example, the fixed cycle machine time is 0.50 BM’s then convert this to TMU’s by
multiplying by 2,000 this equals 1,000 TMU’s. The code becomes Z1000.

2. Fixed Handling Cycle

3) Prefix the resultant TMU value with the code “Y” to denote a fixed process time.
If, for example, the process time is 0.50 BMs then convert this to TMU’s by multiplying by
2,000 this equals 1,000 TMU’s. The code becomes Y1000.

In both cases, the Cycle TMU’s are converted back to basic minutes by dividing them by
2,000.
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

MACHINERY AND LAYOUT DETAILS OF WORKING EXAMPLE

Let’s practice applying GSD codes discussed above in the example below.

<Graph 1>

Single needle Lockstitch machine

D
9 cm 12cm

C 9 cm B

The graph 1 above displays an operation where a single needle lockstitch machine is being used
to sew parts placed in separate stacks on the left hand side of the machine table to make a
pocket. Finished parts are to be disposed to a disposal box to the rear of the machine.

 Manual lever backtack

 Threads trimmed using scissors
 Non-visible seams
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

METHOD DESCRIPTION
CODE TMU

1) Obtain and match the parts MG2T 76

2) Place the parts to the machine foot FOOT 38
3) Backtack to start MBTB 34
4) Align the two pieces to point B AM2P 61
5) Sew to point B S12LC 63
6) Lower the needle MHDW 46
7) Pivot the work for the next sewing burst APSH 24
8) Lower machine foot F 9
9) Align the two pieces to point C AM2P 61
10) Sew to point C S9LC 46
11) Lower the needle MHDW 46
12) Pivot the work for the next sewing burst APSH 24
13) Lower the machine foot F 9
14) Align the two pieces to point D AM2P 61
15) Sew to point D S9LB 46
16) Backtack to finish MBTE 37
17) Raise the needle MHDW 46
18) Slide the pocket bag from the machine foot APSH 24
19) Cut the thread with the scissors TCUT 50
20) Push aside the finished bag into the disposal box APSH 24
21) Fixed Handling Cycle Time – Bundling Element Y100 100

The table above demonstrates an example in which methods required to finish the given
operation are written, and then matched with the GSD codes and corresponding TMU values.
The sum of all TMU values listed in the table is 936, which equals to 0.468 when divided by 2,000
to get Standard Minute Value. Standard Minute Value of 0.468 means it takes 0.468 minute to
finish off the operation in the example and is set as benchmark for operators.
In summary, GSD analyzes methods and calculates Standard Minute Value as described in the
example to standardize procedures and time spent by operators. Such standardization will lead to
increase in productivity and balance in line of operations.
 POONGIN TRADING CO., LTD.

Conclusion

<Graph 2>

Implementation of GSD leads to the productivity increase with an efficient management method
based on accurate data which are required for analyzing operations of the bulk production.
Especially, more efficient operations become feasible with accumulated data over a period of time
for repeated operations - such as attaching a pocket on the body panel or making sleeve – and
by utilizing the data effectively to standardize methods for the repeated operations. As long as an
external change is not accompanied within the workplace, the analyzing of motion sequences for
operations are able to be controlled and standardized. As we may assume in the graph 2, a long
term commitment is essential for successful implementation of GSD. This is because the
productivity decline may be apparent with time lose generated by applying new methods, and the
operators require some time to feel comfortable with new methods. However, as the operators
get more used to new methods by GSD, productivity would increase to surpass the output of
before the change. It may be said that the sewing industry depends on the skilled operators more
than the machines. If we manage the operations efficiently in terms of reducing unnecessary
working time and motion sequences, increased and improved productivity may follow.
Therefore, we should expect efficient and economical productivity through analysis and
improvements by GSD in terms of operation processes.

POONGIN GSD
-THE END-