Productivity evaluation of fabric layout by machine versus hand

Abstract

Layout process for fabric cutting operation has an important role during the course of apparel production process because this operation takes longer time compared to others. Nature of the activities carried out by the worker engaged in the layout process and the percentage of these activities within the whole process have a significant impact on the productivity of the layout process. Activities of the worker engaged in the layout process can be categorized into three groups: productive, supportive and non-productive. The objective of the present study is to acquire information related to the percentages determined for all the categorized activities by applying the work sampling method to the workers carrying out the layout operations by hand or machine and to specify the reasons for possible productivity losses. The work sampling method used in this study is regarded as a method which analyzes the activities of workers. At the end of the study, a cost-benefit analysis for productivity evaluations, which takes into consideration the daily production volume, was conducted before the final result was reached. This analysis is more effective than a simple evaluation of the total value.