What is the difference between a time study and a motion study?

A time study measures how long tasks take. A motion study analyzes how tasks are performed — the physical movements involved. Yamazo Studio combines both: frame-accurate time measurement with the ability to classify and analyze individual movements.

Is motion study still relevant with automation?

Absolutely. Even highly automated lines have manual stations, changeover procedures, and maintenance tasks. Motion study helps optimize these human-machine interactions and is critical for ergonomic risk reduction.

Glossary

Motion Study — Analyzing Worker Movements in Manufacturing

Motion study is the systematic analysis of worker movements during a task to identify and eliminate unnecessary motions. Originating from Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's work in the early 1900s, modern motion study uses video technology to capture and analyze movements at frame-level accuracy. The goal is to design work methods that minimize physical effort while maximizing productivity and ergonomic safety.

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How to Create

With Yamazo Studio, conduct motion studies by recording the operator performing the target task. Use frame-by-frame playback to tag each movement element. Classify movements as value-adding (VA), incidental work (IWA), or waste (MUDA). Use the built-in keyboard shortcuts for rapid tagging. Generate yamazumi charts to visualize the proportion of productive vs. non-productive movement, then redesign the workstation or method to reduce waste motions.

Example

An electronics manufacturer analyzed a manual PCB assembly operation. Motion study via Yamazo Studio revealed that the operator made 14 reach-and-return motions per cycle to a parts bin 60cm away. Relocating the bin to within 20cm eliminated 8 of these motions, reducing cycle time by 11 seconds (18% improvement).