MODAPTS

Modular Arrangement of Predetermined Time Standards

Predetermined time systems

Steps
How to be used
Classes of motions
Allowances
Exercises
(From: International MODAPTS Association, Inc. Kalamazoo, MI)

Predetermined Time Systems

Techniques for studying work methods
Work is divided into micro elements that
are standard in any activity
These micro elements are represented
by symbols.
Note that in MTM system these
symbols are called therbligs.

Steps
Determine all the symbols in a work
process
Assign standard time values to each
micro movement
Total up the times to find total time/task
(Assuming additivity and independence)

How to be used
Determine an efficient work method
Determine the time/unit for an efficient work method
MODAPTS uses modules (MOD) to express units of
human physical work (normal time- done by qualified,
thoroughly experienced employee)

1 MOD = .129 sec.

1 sec. = 7.75 MOD
1 MOD = .00215 min. 1 min. = 465 MOD
1 MOD = .000036 hr. 1 hr. = 27933 MOD
(Standard time with no allowances)

MODAPTS codes

Type of activity + Time to complete

M3P2,W5, etc.

MODAPTS Classes of Motions

Movement
Done by the finger-hand-arm-shoulder trunk
system
Required to position a part of the arm to perform
the Terminal activities

Terminal Activities (GET and PUT)

Done at the end of a movement
In close proximity to the things being worked on

Auxiliary Activities

Walking, bending, inspection, deciding, etc.

Movement
Movements and terminal activities take place in pairs.
Movement first then terminal activities

Move to get, move to put

Examples: M3GO (move to touch)

Movement activities are classified by:

Distance moved
Body part required to perform the move

Light/small objects vs. heavy/large objects

Large objects : 16 x 16 x 16
Heavy objects : over 18 lbs.

Award the lowest category that is possible to

successfully complete the activity

Movement (cont.)
1
2

6
12
18

Finger
1 MOD

Hand
2 MODs

Forearm
3 MODs
Arm
4 MODs
Extended Arm

5 MODs

Moves with Small/Light Objects

Type

Movement

Finger (M1)

Knuckle

Hand (M2)

Wrist

Forearm (M3)

Elbow

Whole Arm
(M4)

Shoulder directly
forward, perhaps body
assistance

12

Extended Arm Shoulder fully left, right,

or across the body
(M5)

18

30

Trunk (M7)

Shoulder involving the

body trunk

MODs Distances

Note: Body assistance means to require the body to bend slightly (simultaneously with Move).
It increases distances not time.

Examples
M1 Movements

Rub your thumb and index finger together

Depressing keys M1P0
Squeezing trigger M1P0

M2 Movements

Following a body move: 5 x W5, M2G1

Positioning of a washer: M4G3 M2P5

M3 Movements

Turning over the page

Draw a free hand line approximately 6 inches long

How about half an inch long?

M4 Movements

An imaginary 45 degree cone

Move forward 18 (inside the cone)

Examples (cont.)
M5 Movements
Outside imaginary 45 degree cone
Reaching up to an object from a high shelf
M5P2
Moving an object across the body M5P0

M7 Movements
Fully up, down, or across the body (hinged at the
waist)
Picking up objects from the floor M7G1 M7P0

Exercises
Hand moves are typically______inches
Whole arm move forward 15_______
Hand turns a nut down______
Reach to the floor while standing______
Using a pen or pencil perform the following and
provide the correct code:

Carry the object from I-10 to J-10_______

Turn your wrist to view the bottom of the object________
Carry the object to imaginary point H-20_______
Return the object to G-16_______
Carry the object to K-1_______

Moves with Large/Heavy Objects

Weight
Limit
2

Maximum Distance
For Large Object Only
6 12 18 24 35 39

ONE

0-2 lb

M2

M3

M4

M5

M7

M7

M7

HAND

2-9 lb

M3

M3

M4

M5

M7

M7

M7

9-18 lb

M4

M4

M4

M5

M7

M7

M7

TWO

18-35 lb

M4

M4

M4

M4

M4

M5

M7

HAND

35-136 lb

M7

M7

M7

M7

M7

M7

M7

Exercises
One hand
Move a 14 lb. box 14 ________
Move a 18 lb. box 3 _________

Two hands
Move a 100 lb. box 6 _________
Move a 40 lb. box 34 _________
Move a 30 lb. box 10 _________

Terminal Activities
What is done at the end of move?

PUT and GET must be joined to a move

Influenced by:
Muscular control: precision
Visual control: eye action
Mental control: mental decision

Low conscious control (G0, G1, P0)

Automatic response
Little muscular control, no visual or mental control

High conscious control (P2, P5, G3)

Terminal Activities (cont.)

Type

Conscious Control

High*

Description

Low

G0

Touch only

G1

Pick up easy object

P0

No conscious

G3

Pick up flat object,or objects in a bin, hard to

pick up object

P2

Requires one feedback** (information)

P5

Requires two feedbacks

*Employees are required to follow an activity through the end, using their eyes
**Provided by the employees eyes

Terminal Activities (cont.)

For each activity below, is it high or low conscious?

Pick up a pencil from an uncluttered desk. ________

Pick up a straight pin from an uncluttered desk. ________
Pick up a match from a matchbox. _______
Put your pencil point exactly on the period at this sentence
end. _________
Put your pencil anywhere on this page. _________

Simultaneous Activities
Always use an M2 to precede the second high
conscious control activity

Left hand -----movement--High control activity at end

Right hand----simo-movement---wait----M2 moveHigh
control activity at end

Both low conscious control: record the highest total

MOD
One low , one high conscious control: record on the
total high conscious control activity MOD value
Both high conscious control: sum of MOD values
from both hands

Example
Left Hand

Right Hand Total MODs

Independent
Simultaneous

M3P2
M3P2

M3P5
M2P5

13
12

Independent
Simultaneous

M4G3 M4P2
M4G3 M4P2

M4G3 M4P2
M2G3 M2P2

26
22

Independent
Simultaneous

M4G1 M4P2
M4G1 M4P2

M4G3 M4P5
M4G3 M2P5

27
20

GET with Small/Light Objects

G0: Contact get (touching)
Counting small change lying on the counter
Depress button- M4G0 M1P0
Push box M4G0 M4P0

G1: Simple grasp get (closing fingers around

objects)
Pick up raised object M4G1
Grasp drawer handle

G3:Get with feedback (sensory or visual

feedback involved)

Pick up small or flat or jumbled object M4G3

GET with Large/Heavy Objects

G2: One hand engagement

Picking up a suitcase

G4: Two hand engagements

Unobstructed object, free standing, unimpeded by
others
Bend over, grasps an object with two hands and
returns to a standing position- M7G4 M7P0

G8: Three hand engagements

Slightly impeded by others
One hand- pull the box away, two hands pick it
up

PUT with Small/Light Objects

P0: Simple put (general or indefinite location)

Sliding an object against a stop

Picking up a small object and placing it in the other hand
M4G3 M4P0
Tossing object into box M3P0

P2: Put with feedback (definite location)

Requiring only one feedback form one or more of senses

(usually eyes)
Locate Phillips screwdriver in slot M3P2

P5: Put with feedbacks (exact location)

More than one correcting motion, and more than one change
in direction
Putting a screwdriver blade into a slotted screw head- M4P5
Placing nut on bolt- M4P5

PUT with Large/Heavy Objects

P0: General location (no orderliness)
Hand does not touch object again
Place 40 lb. box on table ______

P2: With orderliness

Hand do not touch object again
Place 40 lb. box to table edge _____

P5: One new contact (exact location)

Using one additional hand engagement once the
object is placed down
Moderately heavy box placed exactly in line with
others

Exercises
Lean over, pick up a carton, and return to a standing position
before walking _______
Place a pencil point where two lines cross ______
Begin with hands in the printed area

Pick up a pencil at C-14, put point on F-9 _______

Pick up a pin at C-14, put point on E-10 _______
Pick up a washer at I-9, put in other hand _______
Slide a washer from H-9 off the table into the lap _______
With both hands, slide the ruler up to line F _______
Pick up the pencil near the sharp end with the left hand, from B-4.
Pick up the washer with the right hand from B-13. While carrying
these to the print area, put the washer on the pencil. Slide the
washer along to the end of the pencil. ___________
Pick up a washer from B-14 and then one from B-9 with the right
hand. Return to rest in the approximate starting position.
___________

Auxiliary Activities
J2: Juggle

Two criteria

The object is already in the control of the operator and better

control is required
All other activity must stop

Place a nut on a screw while there are several nuts in the

palm rolling the nut out from the palm_______

X4: Apply extra force

All other motion stops, and then the body braces itself

B17: Bend and arise (if hand goes below the knee)
S30: Sit and stand (up and down movement)
W5: Walk