Abstract
The paper describes the successful application at Royal Filling Factories of time study principles and techniques to the difficult problem of the control of the maintenance of production machinery.
A considerable proportion of the work was analysed and reduced to a routine. Maintenance in this category could then be planned beforehand and the performance of the work controlled against predetermined schedules. The labour required was then found by a specialized form of time study and the paper gives a brief account of time study in general. Two methods are described: “work content” method, in which the labour is built up operation by operation, and “rating” method, in which the labour is found by an assessment of present efficiency. Finally, a standard team is determined, taking into account the varying degrees of skill required and the limited amount of time actually available for maintenance.
An incentive to improved maintenance was devised and made the basis of a bonus scheme. This, together with the necessary records, both for the bonus and for the maintenance control, is fully described.
The scheme, which has also been extended to the engineering shops in a modified form, has resulted in an increase in the quantity and quality of maintenance and in a reduction in the labour force.
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