With the development of MTM in 1948 came the possibility to radically design work systems based on standards accepted worldwide. The use of MTM consists in the description of work processes with defined motion elements – the basic movements. With these process elements, which are defined in content and time, an optimum work method can be developed – both for existing and planned tasks. The process had immediate sweeping success. Never before could work processes be so thoroughly analyzed and designed.
However, the economic boundaries of the detailed procedure were soon visible. The effort was justified for mass production, but for single and small series production, comparable tools were missing. In an effort to further the application of MTM to work areas where the detail of MTM-1 would economically preclude its use, the IMD initiated a research project to develop less-refined data suitable for the majority of motion sequences. The result of this effort was MTM-2 (1965). Defined by the MTM Association of the U.K., it is a system of synthesized MTM data, classified as the second general level of MTM data (the first level is occupied by MTM-1).
The third level (or generation) of official MTM systems consists of three techniques: SAM (Sweden), UAS and MEK (Germany, Switzerland and Austria), developed in the late 70’. For constructing data, the respective organizational conditions of series production and individual and small series production were considered. UAS and SAM are used as the process for batch production where work processes are frequently repeated with a significant degree of variation. A detailed description of the work method is not required. Activities in automobile and appliance assembly are typical for these systems. MEK, however, is the planning instrument for individual and small series production, such as aircraft, steel and machine building as well as maintenance and repair companies. A low degree of repetition, low-standardization and high variability of work conditions are peculiar to MEK applications.
From the standard data for office activities, present since the beginning of the 1970s, the Swiss and German MTM Organizations developed the MTM Office Specialist Data. This simple analysis system helps design of office activities in any kind of business and allows process time calculation to support the planning and control of personnel costs.
In cooperation with industries and colleges, and with the use of WF Mento research results of the Work Factor community, IMD developed a process in 1993 for designing and assessing mental activities: MTM Visual Inspection. For the first time visual inspection activities, such as checking soldering points, surfaces and scales, can be examined and evaluated efficiently. A further essential development was PROKON in 1995, an MTM based derivation from the design for assembly techniques. The right MTM tool for each application – after four decades, MTM products provide an almost unlimited number of work processes: MTM-1, MTM-2, SAM, UAS, MEK, MTM Office Specialist Data (MOS), Visual Inspection, PROKON – in almost all industrial areas, MTM products evaluate and use design potential. Which MTM system is suitable for a work process analysis depends mainly on the current method level. Briefly stated: who produces what, how, where and how much? The selection of the respective MTM data systems is based on a complex decision model. The reason? Transfer the work organization of a Formula 1 crew to the process in a garage repair shop would probably be too much of a good thing.
MTM-1
The course has the purpose to certificate the students passing the final test as “MTM-1 analysts”. The certificate has international value and is issued by the National MTM Association. At the end of the course the participants will be able: to choose the most efficient work analysis system depending on the requested data accuracy; to rate the work performance; to apply the motion economy principles in the manual work processes planning and rationalization; to pre-calculate the cost of any work procedure; to set the work standard time; to balance an assembly-line.
The MTM-1 course conveys the necessary knowledge and instruments to understand the pre-determined time systems basic principles and to put into practice the MTM-1 analysis. It constitutes the indispensable base for everyone aiming at the profession of MTM instructor. It represents the most precise and detailed MTM system, ideal for firms with high volume production series characterized by short and highly repetitive cycles, in which the work method rationalization is fundamental. Small deviations of a few TMU’s may cause remarkable repercussions.
MTM-2
The course has the purpose to lead the students to a sufficient knowledge to pass the examination and to obtain the certification as MTM-2 applicator. At the end of the course the participants will be able to apply the MTM-2 technique to set standard times.
Wide space will be reserved also to the work methods analysis and improvement and to the ergonomics principles in the work places design.
Among the II level MTM techniques, MTM-2 is still a two-hand analysis system, characteristic that makes it suitable to motion economy.
MTM-2 is published in its first edition by the Swedish Association in 1965.
MTM-SAM
The course has the purpose to lead the students to a sufficient knowledge to pass the examination and to obtain the certification as MTM-SAM applicator. At the end of the course the participants will be able to apply the MTM-SAM technique to set standard times.
Wide space will be reserved also to the work cycles ergonomic analysis, as the International MTM Directorate has developed a software that allows an ergonomic risk detection as from the SAM analysis.
SAM is a third generation MTM system developed in Sweden by the Swedish MTM Association.
MTM-UAS
The course has the purpose to lead the students to a sufficient knowledge to pass the examination and to obtain the certification as MTM-UAS applicator. At the end of the course the participants will be able to apply the MTM-UAS technique to set standard times.
Remarkable emphasis will be put on the data construction (data blocks), which allows to increase the application speed to the detriment of the degree of universality in their applications.
The UAS system is certainly the most spread and famous all over the world, particularly in the automotive industry.
It has been developed by the German MTM Association and its ideal application consists of the new products/processes planning and industrialization.
MTM-MEK
The course has the purpose to lead the students to a sufficient knowledge to pass the examination and to obtain the certification as MTM-MEK applicator. At the end of the course the participants will be able to apply the MTM-MEK technique to set standard times.
Remarkable emphasis will be put on the efficient use of MEK in job-shop production, in which there is no repetitiveness and the cycles are measured in hours.
MEK has been developed by the German MTM Association and its principle applications regard the aeronautic, railway and after-sale assistance sectors.
It is also useful for the work planning, cost pre-calculations and similar uses.
A general knowledge about the product and the working area is sufficient for the application of this system.
