IESD stands for Industrial Engineering Sewing Data, IESD Sewing Data Analysis based on MTM 2. The difference between ( General Sewing Data) GSD and IESD is that GSD follows MTM-3, and IESD follows MTM-2. This article presents the details of the IESD Sewing Data Analysis: MTM-2 Codes & Application.
Predetermined Time: collection of valid standard times assigned to fundamental motions/group of motions that cannot be precisely evaluated with ordinary stopwatch time study. It is the result of studying a large sample of diversified operations with a time device such as a motion-picture camera capable of measuring very short motion elements.
Time Standard of IESD Sewing Data Analysis: Time required by an average skilled operator, working at a normal pace, to perform a specified task using a prescribed method, allowing time for personal needs, fatigue, and delay.

Why the IESD Sewing Data Analysis is Important?
- Why Is it Important?
- Data for scheduling
- Data for staffing
- Data for line balancing
- Data for materials requirement planning
- Data for system simulation
- Data for wage payment
- Data for costing
- Data for employee evaluation
MTM
MTM: Developed at the Methods Engineering Council, USA in 1940 by Dr. Harold Maynard, Mr. Gustave Stegemerten, and Mr. John Schwab. The only PMTS which entire data and research made completely & readily available to the general public. It was the best methods analysis system in existence.
Revolution of MTM:
MTM-1 1940s | MTM-2 1950s | MTM-3 1970s |
Release | Get | Handle |
Reach | ||
Grasp | ||
Move | Put | |
Position |
Condition:
- Operation cycles under 0.6 minutes
- Highly repetitive work
- Where detailed methods description is required
- Work with a high level of simultaneous motions
- Where there is doubt in the analyst’s mind
With these conditions, use MTM-1 instead. Examples of MTM-2:
- Get – pen from desk
- Put – to the other hand
- Get – the cap of the pen
- Put – the cap aside
- Get – worksheet from the desk
- Put – worksheet to front
- Put – position to commence writing
Get – G: Get is an action with the predominant purpose of reaching with the hand or fingers to an object, grasping the object and subsequently releasing it.
Starts | With reaching to the object |
Includes | Reaching to, gaining control and subsequently releasing control of the object |
Ends | When the object is released |
· Case of Get Variables of Get:
- Distance Reached
- Weight or Resistance of Motion
Cases of Get:
GA – No Grasping motion
Simple contact grasp (place hand on object)
GB – One Grasping motion
Simple closing of the fingers on small, medium or large object with one grasping
GC – More than one grasping motion
Complex grasping actions with precise and careful fingers movement
GET Distance:
Centimeters | Codes | |
Over | Not Over | |
0 5 15 30 45 | 5 15 30 45 Upwards | 5 15 30 45 80 |
GB30-Get, By simple closing of fingers, From 15 to 30 cm away MTM-2 Motion Code:
Get Weight: Get Weight is the action required for the muscles of the hand and arm to take up the weight of the object or its resistance to motion. 1 TMU/kg
Starts | With the grasp on the object completed |
Includes | Muscular forces necessary to gain full control of the weight of the object |
Ends | When the object is sufficiently under control to permit movement of the object |
Put: Put is an action with the predominant purpose of moving/positioning an object to a destination with the hand or fingers.
Starts | With an object grasped and under control at the initial place |
Includes | All transporting and correcting motions necessary to place an object |
Ends | With the object still under control at the intended place |
Variables of Put:
· Case of Put
· Distance Reached
· Weight or Resistance of Motion
Cases of Put:
PA – No Correction
Placing an object to an approximate location
PB – One Correction
Some non-obvious corrections
PC – More than one correction
Corrections are obvious
Difficult to handle
Put Distance:
Centimeters | Codes | |
Over | Not Over | |
0 5 15 30 45 | 5 15 30 45 Upwards | 5 15 30 45 80 |
MTM-2 Motion Code:
PB30: Put, One Correction, from 15 to 30 cm away
Put Weight: Put Weight is an additional Put motion to take account of the slowing down due to weight or resistance. 1 TMU/kg
Starts | When the move begins |
Includes | The additional time, over and above the time in Put, to compensate for the differences in time required in moving heavy and light object over the same distance |
Ends | When the Put ends |
MTM-2 Data Card:
Code | GA | GB | GC | PA | PB | PC |
5 15 30 45 80 | 3 6 9 13 17 | 7 10 14 18 23 | 14 19 23 27 32 | 3 6 11 15 20 | 10 15 19 24 30 | 21 26 30 36 41 |
Meaningful Symbols:
# Two hands Simultaneous
*Indicating a moving action
( ) Simultaneous action, get higher TMU
Combined Actions:
ABCD Align part using 1 hand | |||||
Left Hand Description | TMU | Left | Right | TMU | Right Hand Description |
Reach to get 1 part Move part to new location | 9 11 | GA30 PA30 | |||
TMU 20 |
EFGH Align part using 1 hand | |||||
Left Hand Description | TMU | Left | Right | TMU | Right Hand Description |
Move to position part | 11 9 | * PA30 * GA30 | PA30 GA30 | 11 9 | Move to position part Hand return to original position |
TMU 20 |
Exercise:
1. Standard motion sequence of answering a mobile phone
2. Standard motion sequence of using a scissors to cut an object
Code | GA | GB | GC | PA | PB | PC |
5 15 30 45 80 | 3 6 9 13 17 | 7 10 14 18 23 | 14 19 23 27 32 | 3 6 11 15 20 | 10 15 19 24 30 | 21 26 30 36 41 |
Foot – F: Foot motion is a short leg or foot motion when the purpose is not to move the body.
Starts | With the foot or leg at rest |
Includes | A motion not exceeding 30cm (12”) that is pivoted (bent) at the hip, knee or instep |
Ends | With the foot in a new location |
Step – S: Step is a leg motion with the purpose of moving the body or leg motion longer than 30cm.A single Foot motion allows for movement in one direction only. When a Foot motion occurs with force being applied, an Apply Pressure (A) should be allowed to compensate for the force.
Starts | With the leg at rest |
Includes | Either: A motion of the leg when the purpose is to achieve displacement of the trunk |
Ends | With the foot in a new location |
Eye Action – E: Eye action (7 TMU) is an action with the purpose of:Steps may be in any direction, forward, backward or to the side such as walking.
1. Recognizing a readily distinguishable characteristic of an object (a simple yes/no decision)
2. Shifting the aim of the axis of vision to a new viewing area
Starts | When other actions must cease because a characteristic of an object must be recognized |
Includes | Either: Muscular readjustment of the lens of the eyes to recognize a distinguishable characteristic of an object Or: The eye motion performed to shift the aim of the axis of vision to a new viewing area |
Ends | When other actions can start again |
Crank – C: Crank is a motion with the purpose of moving an object in a circular path of more than half a revolution with the hand or fingers.
Starts | With the hand on the object |
Includes | All transporting motions necessary to move an object in a circular path |
Ends | With the hand on the object when one revolution is completed |
Bend & Arise – B: Bend & Arise are the actions used when the body changes its vertical position. Typical movements characteristic including sitting down, kneeling and standing up. Kneels on both knees should be 2 B.
Starts | With the motion of the trunk forward from an upright posture |
Includes | Movement of the turn and other body members to achieve a vertical change of body position to permit the hands to reach down to or below the knees and subsequent arise from this position |
Ends | With the foot in a new location |
Average Daily Performance:
Low Task: The performance of the working pace sustained throughout the day under daywork payment conditions.
High Task: The performance of the working pace sustained throughout the day under incentive payment conditions.
Low Task – MTM 100:
Production standards based on daywork level
1 Second = 27.8 TMU
1 Minute = 1667 TMU
1 Hour = 100,000 TMU
High Task – MTM 120:
Performance of an average experienced operator working at an efficient pace, over an eight-hour day under incentive conditions, without undue or cumulative fatigue. Often stated as the incentive pace.
1 Second = 33.33 TMU
1 Minute = 2000 TMU
1 Hour = 120,000 TMU
Low/High Task:
MTM 100 | MTM 120 |
Daywork Payment Conditions | Incentive Payment Conditions |
Task A = 800 TMU SAM = 800/1667 = 0.48 min/pc Output = 1000 pcs Cost = $ 0.10 × 0.48 × 1000 = $ 48 | Task A = 800 TMU SAM = 800/2000 = 0.40 min/pc Output = 1200 pcs Cost = $ 0.10 × 0.40 × 1200 = $ 48 + Incentive |
That’s all on the IESD Sewing Data Analysis: MTM-2 Codes & Application.