UAS/MEK
While batch activities may not require the detail associated with high volume activities, the need for consistent accurate measurement is undiminished. Accurate measurement of capacity is vital for survival in the international marketplace.
Today more than ever manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on improving productivity in the area of Batch Production. To meet this demand UAS (Universal Analysing System) was created. UAS provides the effective high level work measurement that management need.
UAS is an internationally recognised system, developed to provide process description and to determine the allowed times in any activity having the characteristics of batch production.
Benefits from UAS include:
- Improved scheduling and manpower planning
- Accurate measurement of capacity
- Data from other sources can be used with UAS
- Increased accuracy improves you total system performance
- Assists in controlling costs
- Elements combine well defined motion sequences
- Economic and accurate measurement of batch activities
- Builds company specific Standard
The UAS system is universally applicable to activities which include any typical batch characteristics. It covers such diverse areas of application as
- Fastening
- Adhering/Bonding
- Wire/Cable Harness assembly
- Cleaning
- Transporting
- Applying Agents
- Marking
- Preparation & assembly of standard parts
Designed to be quick and easy to apply the UAS system has support in the form of 2M software. The basic UAS training course covering both levels 1 & 2 of UAS is of five or seven days duration, dependant on prior qualification, and is available either as an open or in-house course concluding with a renewable qualification in UAS. Companies are subject to an annual charge for system usage.
As UAS was developed by Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with research and validation being undertaken in the USA, It is not surprising that companies based in the UK, with either German or American 'parent' companies have been using UAS for many years to their great advantage.
Listed below are just a few of the current users of the system:
- BMW
- Atco Qualcast
- Robert Bosch
MEK
MEK is a synthetic system of measuring manual work based on MTM 1. It is referred to as a third generation system and is approved by the International Methods Time Measurement Directorate. It was developed in the late 1970’s, by the member companies of the German & Swiss National MTM associations and by the Austrian MTM Group.
Uses
It enables establishment of times for manual work, where the characteristics of small batch or one of a kind production volumes are met. Description of the method is identified in the technique although the detail reflects the lesser degree of importance to minor method variation, inherent in the organisation of such production volumes. It is therefore a tool which enables identification of method as well as the times required to perform the tasks.
Simplicity
The technique is based on the predominant hand, as with UAS, rather than the 2 handed analyses which the MTM1 and MTM 2 systems employ. The system includes both Level 1 codes and also Level 2 codes which are data Blocks formed from the Level 1 codes. It produces times which reflect a representative method for carrying out tasks, rather than the precise method analyses of MTM1 or MTM 2.
Speed of application
The principle of Activity sequences make this technique much faster to apply than 1st or 2nd generation systems and is faster still to apply than UAS.
Application areas
The system is designed to meet the characteristics of one of a kind or very small batch production. The choice as to which system to use must be made with consideration of the method level required and of the degree of accuracy required of the data produced by use of the system. It includes repetitive activities that make it especially suited to manufacturing work areas.