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Standard Work Combination Chart

Operator and machine time per step.

When to use it

Use it when one operator runs machines with automatic cycles. It plots manual, machine, walking and waiting time per element against takt, so you can see whether the cycle fits and where the operator stands idle.

What you enter

  • Takt time (s)
  • Process name
  • One element per line: name, manual s, auto s, walk s, wait (Y or N)

Manual is operator work. Auto is machine time that starts when the manual part ends. Walk follows the manual part. Y means the operator waits for the auto time to finish before moving on.

What you get

  • Cycle summary
  • Standard work combination chart

How it works

Operator time runs element by element. Cycle time is the later of the operator finishing and the last machine finishing. Waiting is shown in red where the operator stands by for an auto cycle.

How to use the Standard Work Combination Chart

The standard work combination chart (sometimes called a combination sheet) maps one operator's sequence of steps over time, separating manual work, automatic machine time and walking.

  1. List each step in sequence and enter manual, auto and walk times.
  2. The chart draws each step on a time line with the takt time marked.
  3. Look for waiting where the operator idles on a machine, and walking that could be removed by changing the layout.

Worked example

An operator loads a lathe (8 s manual), starts it (35 s automatic), walks 4 s to a deburr station, deburrs a finished part (18 s) and walks back (4 s). The total manual and walk time is 34 s within a 45-second takt, and the lathe's automatic cycle finishes while the operator is away, so there is no waiting.

Common mistakes to avoid

Frequently asked questions

What is a standard work combination chart used for?

To design and check one operator's work sequence so that manual, machine and walking time fit within takt time.

What are the three elements of standard work?

Takt time, the work sequence and standard work-in-process (the minimum parts needed in the cell).

How do I get the times for the chart?

Observe the job and time each step several times with a stopwatch time study, then use a typical repeatable value.

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