A VR-based approach in conducting MTM for manual workplaces

Abstract

Due to current trends in the manufacturing industry, such as mass customization, manual operations contribute drastically to the overall costs of a product. Methods-Time-Measurement (MTM) identifies the optimization potential of manual workplaces, which significantly influences a worker’s productivity. However, traditional MTM requires great efforts to observe and transcribe manual assembly processes. Yet, various digital approaches exist that facilitate MTM analyses. While most of these approaches require the existence of real workplaces or cardboard mock-ups, it would be beneficial to conduct a virtual MTM in earlier phases of production planning. However, the quality of virtual MTM analyses compared to traditional MTM conducted in reality has not been assessed yet. This paper is addressing it by conducting a comparative user study with 21 participants completing the same task both at a real and virtual workplace, which they access via virtual reality technology. Our results show that participants’ MTM-2 values achieved at the VR workplace are comparable to those at the real workplace. However, time study data reveals that participants moved considerably slower in VR and thus needed more time to accomplish the task. Consequently, for the measurement of manual work in VR, it is even necessary to utilize predetermined times, such as MTM-2 since time study data is insufficient. This paper also serves as a proof of concept for future studies, investigating automated transcription systems that would further decrease the efforts conducting MTM analyses.

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“…It allows suggestions of process improvements based on MTM studies using motion capturing data (Deuse et al, 2019). The integration of MTM approaches with Virtual Reality (VR) provides the advantage of preventing suboptimal workplace designs during the planning phase without the need for physical mock-ups (cardboard engineering) for data collecting (Gorobets et al, 2021).…”

Application of methods-time measurement as a tool to improve productivity in a beauty salon

“…In this context, the application of standardized operational methods, as well as the management of activities so that they could generate more value to production processes, have become indispensable for current organizations to remain competitive and one of the tools that allow identifying opportunities for this standardization is the Methods-Time Measurement (MTM) [4].…”

“…Widely used in industry [4,5,6], however, there are already studies with its application in service providers, allowing an effective solution for product/service costs, with a focus on reducing time and eliminating waste [7].…”

Algorithm for Process Innovation by Increasing Ideality

“…Quality Function Deployment (QFD) uses customers' needs to better define products or processes [9]. Predetermined motion time systems such as MTM (Methods-Time Measurement) or MOST (Maynard Operation Sequence Technique) improve time efficiency and the ergonomics of manual production activities [10,11]. Computer process simulation can help identify and resolve some hidden process problems and improve costs and production time of processes [12,13].…”