Motion Study
A Method for Increasing the Efficiency of the Workman

VARIABLES OF THE MOTION 69 built. Balanced motions counteract each other. The result is, less bracing of the body is necessary, and less fatigue ensues. Combination with Other Motions, and Sequence A motion may be combined with motions that are (a) similar to it, and (&) dissimilar to it. (a) If the motions combined are similar to it, advantage must be taken of the automaticity. Care must also be taken that all the motions made in a series of similar motions are necessary. Sometimes one effective motion is preferable to several not so effective. Examples. — 1. When tapping a brick down to grade with a trowel, one brisk tap will do the work as well as several light taps, and with much less time and effort. 2. If it is necessary to spread mortar on a face tier, one stroke of the trowel will do the work as well as several. (&) If the motions combined are dissimilar, two motions may often be transformed into one. Example. — The motion used to spread mortar may be combined with the motion used to butter the end of the brick laid just before the mortar was thrown. Thus, the two operations may be transformed into one, and a saving of time and motions will result. In fact, so doing may have other distinct advantages, such as leaving better keying for plastering direct upon the wall. This subject of combinations of motions can barely be