Standard Allowed Minute (SAM) is a pivotal metric utilized in the garment manufacturing industry, serving as the time benchmark for the completion of a sewing operation.

Understanding SAM in Garment Manufacturing

• Efficiency Analysis: It is critical for evaluating the productivity of the production line and employees.
• Labor Cost Estimation: It facilitates the determination of the expected cost per piece.
• Production Targets: SAM aids in setting daily production targets.

Preparing for Time Measurement

• A digital stopwatch.
• Our custom-designed time study sheet for enhanced time management (check the attachments down below to download the time study table).
• Writing tools (a pen or pencil).

The Process of Calculating SAM

Step 1: Initial Preparations

• Equip yourself with a stopwatch and writing materials.
• Choose a specific sewing task to evaluate.
• Inform the operator that their performance will be timed.
• Document crucial information on the time study sheet, including the process, machine type, and employee details.

Step 2: Observation and Documentation

• Use the stopwatch to record the total cycle time for the operation, from batch unbundling to transfer to next worker down the line.
• To obtain the time per unit, divide the total cycle time by the number of pieces in the batch. For example, if a batch of 20 pieces takes 300 seconds, then the time per piece is 15 seconds. Record that number in the time study sheet.
• Perform multiple timings for the same task with the same operator.
• Repeat with different operators to establish a reliable average.
• Exclude any abnormal occurrences like equipment malfunctions, and instead, conduct an additional timing.

Step 3: Calculation of Basic Time and Adjustment for Effort

• Compute the average time per task, excluding outliers.
• Assess the pace of work, known as the performance rating. Assign a performance rating based on the operator's speed and workflow for each operator.
• Determine the Basic Time by multiplying the cycle time by the performance rating and round off the figures as needed.

The assessment of the worker's performance is based on individual perception and it depends on if you view them as giving their utmost effort or functioning at an average pace.

Step 4: Incorporating Allowance Time

• Average the basic times obtained for each worker.
• Acknowledge potential imperfections in operations and include a time buffer for minor disruptions.
• Apply a standard 30% allowance time to the basic time to account for such eventualities.
• Calculate the SAM by summing the basic time and the allowance time, which yields the target time for task completion.

Step 5: System Integration

• Input the standard process into style categories.
• Register the machine type along with the corresponding SAM.

You can check this article to know how to add SAM to a standard process with a specific machine type associated to it.

Concluding Thoughts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

• What is the main purpose of calculating SAM?
  SAM serves as the time benchmark for the completion of a sewing operation, and is used for efficiency analysis, labor cost estimation, and setting daily production targets.

• What tools are needed to conduct a time study?
  A digital stopwatch, the custom-designed time study sheet, and writing tools such as a pen or pencil.

• Why should timing be repeated with more than one operator?
  Because repeating the measurement with different operators helps establish a reliable average, rather than relying on a single operator's performance, which may not represent the typical pace.

• What allowance percentage is applied to the basic time?
  A standard 30% allowance time is applied to the basic time to account for minor disruptions and potential imperfections in operations.

• How is SAM entered into the system after it's calculated?
  By entering the standard process into style categories, and registering the machine type along with its corresponding SAM.

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