Mastering Garment SAM Calculation: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Introduction

In the fast-paced world of garment manufacturing, efficiency and accuracy are paramount. Enter the Standard Allowed Minute (SAM), a game-changing metric that measures the time required for individual sewing operations. Whether you're an industrial engineer or a garment production professional, mastering SAM is essential for optimizing production processes, estimating costs, and boosting productivity. This guide will walk you through two practical methods for calculating SAM: using synthetic data and conducting a time study. Ready to streamline your operations and cut costs? Let's dive in!

Why SAM Matters in Garment Manufacturing

SAM is widely used by industrial engineers and garment production professionals. It plays a crucial role in determining the cost estimation of making a garment and ensuring that operations are performed efficiently. By understanding and calculating SAM, you can better manage production planning and costs, improving overall productivity.

Two Methods to Calculate Garment SAM

We will explore two primary methods for calculating SAM: using synthetic data and conducting a time study.

Method #1: Using Synthetic Data

This method utilizes the 'Predetermined Time Standard' (PTS) codes to establish standard times for sewing operations.

Steps to Calculate SAM (Standard Allowed Minute)

Select Operation: Choose the specific operation for which you want to calculate SAM.
Study the Motions: Observe an experienced operator performing the operation. Note every movement they make during a complete work cycle.
List and Convert Motions:
- List all movements sequentially.
- Refer to synthetic data sources like General Sewing Data (GSD) or Sewing Performance Data (SPD) for Time Measuring Unit (TMU ) values.
- Convert TMU to minutes (1 TMU = 0.0006 minutes). This gives you the Basic Time.
Calculate SAM:
- Add bundle allowance (10%) and personal and machine allowances (20%) to the Basic Time.
- Formula: SAM = Basic Time + (Basic Time × 10%) + (Basic Time × 20%)
Example:
- Basic Time = 0.24 minutes
- Bundle Allowance = 0.024 minutes
- Personal and Machine Allowance = 0.048 minutes
- SAM = 0.24 + 0.024 + 0.048 = 0.31 minutes

Enhancing Productivity with SAM

By implementing SAM calculations, garment manufacturing becomes more efficient. This productivity improvement is crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage in the apparel industry. SAM helps in task analysis, ensuring each sewing machine operation is optimized for time and cost.

Method #2: Through Time Study

This method involves measuring the actual time taken by an operator to complete a task using a stopwatch.

Steps to Calculate SAM (Standard Allowed Minute)

Select Operation:
- Choose the specific operation for which you want to calculate SAM.
Time Study:
- Use a stopwatch to measure the cycle time for the operation. This is the total time taken to complete all tasks in the operation cycle.
- Conduct the time study over five cycles and calculate the average cycle time.
Performance Rating:
- Assess the operator's performance level.
- Multiply the average cycle time by the performance rating to get the Basic Time.

Example:

Average Cycle Time: 0.60 minutes
Performance Rating: 80%
Basic Time: $0.60 \text{ minutes} \times 80\% = 0.48 \text{ minutes}$

Calculate SAM:

Add bundle allowance (10%) and personal and machine allowances (20%) to the Basic Time.
Formula: $\text{SAM} = \text{Basic Time} + (\text{Basic Time} \times 10\%) + (\text{Basic Time} \times 20\%)$

Example:

Basic Time: 0.48 minutes
Bundle Allowance (10% of Basic Time): 0.048 minutes
Personal and Machine Allowance (20% of Basic Time): 0.096 minutes
SAM: $0.48 + 0.048 + 0.096 = 0.624 \text{ minutes}$

Key Benefits of SAM Calculation

Performance Assessment: Accurately measuring task performance helps in identifying areas for improvement.
Cost Efficiency: Work study methods ensure that labor cost is minimized by optimizing task performance.
Production Control: Enhanced control over production processes through accurate time standards and performance metrics.

Conclusion

Calculating the Standard Allowed Minute (SAM) is crucial for efficient garment production. By following these methods, you can ensure accurate time measurement for sewing operations, leading to better cost estimation and improved productivity. For a deeper understanding of SAM calculation, read the article "Secret Behind Calculation of Machine Time in SAM."

By mastering SAM calculation, you can optimize your garment manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency. Integrating workflow optimization and motion economy into your work measurement practices ensures a streamlined manufacturing process.

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