Motion Study
A Method for Increasing the Efficiency of the Workman

VARIABLES OF THE MOTION 81 up in the shortest time — that is, with pockets for nails, clips, clamps, etc. The tools should be so placed that the least and shortest motions can be used after they are picked up, as cartridges are placed in a cartridge belt. Necessity The necessity of the motion is such an important vari- able that an investigator is tempted at first glance to divide all motions into necessary and unnecessary, and to eliminate with one stroke those that appear to him unnecessary. A more thorough investigation will be apt to prove that no such summary elimination is advisable. A motion may be an unnecessary motion in a necessary sequence, or it may be a necessary motion in a certain sequence, but the whole sequence may be unnecessary or inadvisable. Example. — In opening a paper bag of cement the aver- age untrained laborer usually cuts the bag in two and re- moves the paper in several pieces and with many motions. The correct way is to cut the bottom with a shovel and pull the bag upward in one piece by grasping the bag just above the string. This example shows both how motions may be unneces- sary in themselves and how they may belong to a sequence that is unnecessary. The only final solution as to the necessity of a motion will come when the trades are completely standardized.