This document outlines principles of motion economy as they relate to the human body, work arrangement, and tool/equipment design. It presents 9 principles for efficient body motion, including keeping both hands active and moving symmetrically. Regarding work arrangement, it emphasizes having fixed places for tools/materials near the point of use. Tool/equipment design principles focus on reducing unnecessary motions and accommodating natural body movements. Examples demonstrate analyzing manual tasks and improving layouts to follow ergonomic principles for less fatigue and higher productivity.

1. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION
ECONOMY
PREPARED BY
JJOSEPH GEORGE KONNULLY

2. SUBDIVISIONS OF PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY
Principles of motion economy will be presented
under the following three subdivisions:
1) Principles of motion economy as related to
the human body.
2) Principles of motion economy as related to
the arrangement of the place.
3) Principles of motion economy as related to
the design of tools and equipment.

3. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO USE
OF HUMAN BODY
Principle of m otion economy as related to t he u se of t he human body.
1 . T he two hands should begin as well as complete
t heir m otions at t he same t ime.
2. T he two hands should not be idle at t he same t ime
except du ring rest period.
3. Motions of t he arms should be m ade in opposite
and symmetrical directions and should be m ade
simultaneously.
4. Hand and body motions should be confined to the
lowest classification with which it is possible to
per form the work sat isfactorily.
General Classification o f Hand Motions
a. Finger m otions.
b. Motions involving fingers and wrist.
c. Motions involving fingers, wrist, and forearm.
d. Motions involving fingers, wrist, forearm, and u pper
arm.
e. Motions involving fingers, wrist, forearm, u pper arm and shoulder.

4. PRINCIPLES OF MOTIOM ECONOMY RELATED TO USE
OF HUMAN BODY
5. Momentum should be employed to assist the worker
wherever possible, and it should be reduced to a
minimum if it must be overcome by muscular effort.
6. Smooth continuous cur ved motions of the hands are
preferable to straight line motion involving sudden
and sharp changes in direction.
7. Ballistic movements are faster, easier, and more
accurate than restricted (fixation) or “controlled”
movements.
8. Work should be arranged to permit an easy and natural
rhythm wherever possible.
9. Eye fixations should be as few as close together as
possible.
 - Eye Movements
 - Eye – Hand Coordination

5. EXAMPLE ON USE OF HUMAN BODY USING MOTION
PICTURE FILM
Print of motion picture film showing eye and hand motions of
the operator assembling small parts.

6. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY ON USE OF
HUMAN BODY - EXAMPLE

7. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY ON USE OF
HUMAN BODY - EXAMPLE

8. PUNCH PRESS EYE FIXATION EXAMPLE

9. PUNCH PRESS EYE FIXATION EXAMPLE

10. PUNCH PRESS EYE FIXATION EXAMPLE

11. PRINCIPLES RELATED TO ARRANGEMENT OF
WORKPLACE
Principle of motion economy as related to the
work place.
1 . There should be a definite and fixed place for all tools
and materials.
2. Tools, materials, and controls should be located close
to the point of use.
 - Normal working area
 - Maximum working area

12. PRINCIPLES RELATED TO ARRANGEMENT OF
WORKPLACE- NORMAL/MAXIMUM WORKING AREA

13. DIMENSIONS OF WORKING AREAS IN 2 DIMENSIONS -
MALE

14. DIMENSIONS OF WORKING AREAS IN 2 DIMENSIONS
-FEMALE

15. WORKING SPACE AREAS – 3DIMENSIONS

16. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
ARRANGEMENT OF WORKPLACE -EXAMPLE

17. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
ARRANGEMENT OF WORKPLACE

18. BOLT AND WASHERS ASSLY

19. BOLT AND WASHER ASSEMBLY (OLD METHOD)
A - Special rubber washer
B – Flat steel washer
C – Lock washer
D – 3/8 x 1 inch bolt
Containers with bolts,
lock washers, steel
washers, and rubber
washers arrange on
the top of the bench.

20. BOLT AND WASHER ASSLY- IMPROVED METHOD

21. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
ARRANGEMENT OF WORKPLACE

22. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
ARRANGEMENT OF WORKPLACE

23. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
ARRANGEMENT OF WORKPLACE
7. The height of the work place and the chair should
preferably by arranged so that alternate sitting and
standing at work are easily possible .
Sitting-standing work place Sitting-standing work place
for males. for females.

24. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
ARRANGEMENT OF WORKPLACE
8. A chair of the type and height to permit good posture
should be provided for every worker.
Sitting work place for males. Sitting work place for females.

25. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
DESIGN OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

26. PRINCIPLE OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
DESIGN OF EQUIPMENT-EXAMPLE

27. PRINCIPLE OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
DESIGN OF EQUIPMENT - EXAMPLE

28. PRINCIPLE OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
DESIGN OF EQUIPMENT - EXAMPLE

29. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
DESIGN OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

30. PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY RELATED TO
DESIGN OF EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS