The tools and techniques of apparel production
engineering aim at improving productivity by optimum utilization of plant
resources, i.e., men, materials, and methods. The various tools and techniques
of apparel production engineering are:
Method
analysis
The procedure of studying methods
used to determine the best way of job. The apparel engineer studies not only
the way in which the operator handles the work, but also the machines used, the
layout of the workstation and the work aids used. The whole purpose of a method
analysis is to find a better way to do a job.
Time study
This is the most common technique
used by an engineer to set targets. It helps in setting and developing
standards in terms of allowed time to produce a certain number of units in a
normal workday.
Capacity
studies and strength analysis
A capacity study is similar to a
time study but here it is done to find the operators level of performance. This
can be combined with a strength analysis, to determine the wastage of potential
we are having, not only with one operator, but also with a line, batch or
factory.
Follow-up
study
A follow-up study is a means of
measuring exactly what is happening performance-wise to an individual operator
or a group of operators. In making the follow-up study, the engineer records
operator performance and also measures any delays that hamper performance.
Bundle
diagnosis
This is a tool used to determine the
specific areas where the operators are weak or strong, to focus the effort of
training in those particular areas in which she is not at the required level.
It measures the performance of the operator at every stage during the
performance.
Incentive plans
The development of a fair incentive
plan for operators is a basic function of an apparel engineer. The most common
form is a straight piecework system, where the operator’s pay is based entirely
on what the operator produces. There are cases, however, where such a plan
might not be fair to the operator. For example, utility operator’s performance
in each operation would not be high due to frequent changes. For this reason,
various types of split incentive plans can be used. Most operators can master
the simple arithmetic processes of applying any wage incentive formula.
Drill
training
Many companies place their operator
training programs under the engineering function, especially when some form of
drill training is used. This is a system in which particular jobs to be taught
are analyzed and broken down into job parts. The operator learns the job of one
part at a time, and this enables her to learn faster than if she tries to learn
the whole job at once. It is basically based in learning the different skills
required to perform one complete operation.
Statistical
quality control
SQC is a means of sample inspection
that is designed to measure and control quality without having to inspect each
and every unit produced.
Scheduling systems
Engineers are becoming more and more
involved with the development of systematic approaches to production scheduling
and work process control.