Identification and Analysis of Various Delays Affecting Machine Utilization in a Tractor Part Industry using Work Sampling Technique

Objective: The aim of this paper is to study the operator activities in tractor part industry and the percentage distribution of various operations. The study also aims to analyze the personal and delay allowances by observing the operations and deriving the ratios within manufacturing period, so that utilization of machines can be enhanced by removing delays. Methodology: A work sampling technique was used in the current study; relevant reports are studied to give the basis and methodology of the technique. In accordance with work sampling technique the machines to be observed, the number of observations and the procedure for making observations are determined and the percentage distributions of unproductive activities are calculated. Findings: It is found that 74.43 percent of the available time for production of tractor components is utilized in productive activities and 25.57 percent of total available time is wasted due to avoidable and unavoidable delays. It is also observed that Setup time/ Job changing activity has maximum percentage of occurrence among all the delays i.e. 6.06 percent of the total available time. Applications: The paper deals with an actual production shop of a tractor part industry and gives general information about the distribution of activities in production shop. The study conducted in the industry helped to identify the low lying areas responsible for low machine utilization.