Two-handed process chart & multiple activity chart is generally used to study more than one activity at a time. In a two-handed process chart, analyze the activity of both hands & in a multiple-activity chart analyze two different activities like man, machine, and other activities. Basically, both charts are tools of method study.
A two-handed process chart and multiple activity chart are basically used to capture the current system or processes and identify the scope where we require to improve processes but other lean manufacturing tools can help to improve processes.
A two-handed process chart is a tool of method study & helps to study the repetitive activity of a worker’s two hands. now a day’s in a repetitive environment many repetitive manual activities are performed in the organization and if we are not focused to investigate & minimize them on a structural basis that will be a major impact on operational productivity. During the detailed activity of the two-handed process chart, we found many unproductive activities. The main aim is to eliminate or reduce unproductive activities to productive activities of workers.
To minimize unproductive activity on the two-handed process charts use lean manufacturing tools such as 6 ‘S’, Kaizen, Poka Yoke, SMED, and many more to develop new processes.
Generally, two handed process chart is used to study manual activities. This process chart detail records the activity of one hand with respect to another hand. The two-handed process chart detail analyzes activity representing of worker’s hand with different symbols.
In the two-handed process chart symbols are used as similar to the flow process chart but their function & area of scope is different from to flow process chart. Review detailed images for a better understanding of two-handed process chart symbols.
Review the attached example of a two-handed process chart. The activity of both hands workers is described in detail in one of the assembly lines. Mention activity time in the time column & chart represents similar to the flow process chart. Basically above mention chart represents the activity of one hand with respect to another hand.
The end of the two-handed process chart concluded the result in the count of each operation. Now the action of improvement is minimizing non-value-added activities such as hand movement (transportation), waiting (delay), and hold (storage).
On standard practice where you want to study or improve processes with the help of a two-handed process chart first conduct an initial study of processes. The next stage is to identify improvement opportunities for eliminating or combining operations. Now conduct after improvement study & concluded final results in summary and mention savings.
Review below-attached master template used for the two-handed process chart with summary detail.
Multiple activity chart is a tool of method study to analyze more than one activity in the same time frame. In a group layout majority of chances to work together with more than one entity. Now a day’s in a competitive environment process optimization is a key aspect and process optimize required to understand processes in detail. In any process, if we analyze multiple activities parallel then easy to identify the root cause for system failure.
Multiple activity charts not used any symbol similar to OPC, FPC, and two-handed process charts. Basically, this chart focused on individual activities of different processes within the same time frame & shown only two parameters process working condition & process idle condition.
There are five types of multiple activity charts as per listed below. Here listed all the five chart types considering man & machine activity, you can study any multiple activities in the same time frame with multiple activity charts.
Man-machine chart: – It represents the activity of one man and machine within the same time frame.
Man-multi machine chart: – It represents the activity of one man operating more than one machine within the same time frame.
Machine-multi-man chart: – It represents the activity of a machine operating with more than one man within the same time frame.
Machine-machine chart: – Machine machine chart represents two or more machines working within the same time frame.
Man-man chart: – Man-man chart represents two or more men working within the same time frame.
After the basic understanding of multiple activity chart types, now we jump to understand how to conduct a practical method study of any industrial process through multiple activity charts. Review the attached examples below.
As per the attached example left side detail activity of the man working with respect to its time and the right side machine detail activity. Also mention working condition status working or idle. Black fill represents man or machine in working condition & white fill represents man or machine working in idle condition.
As per above mention types, this example is related to the man-machine chart means the detailed activity of two entities. Now we understand what is the basic system for capturing process study with multiple activity charts.
Review below-attached master template for multiple activity charts with two & three entities. In the initial stage conduct a study of current processes with multiple activity charts and summarized time enter into the summary. The main goal of conducting the study is to minimize idle time & optimize shop floor processes. Again conduct a study of improved processes & put summarized data in summary & calculate time savings.
To minimize idle time use kaizen, Poka-yoke, 6 ‘S’ Implementation, and many more tools of lean manufacturing. In each and every process there is a always scope for improvement. Multiple activity chart is majority helpful to identify the gap between more processes.
