Therbligs are a set of standardized symbols used in the field of industrial engineering to represent various types of motion or actions performed during a manufacturing or production process. These symbols, also known as "Therblig symbols" or "Therblig icons," were first developed by Gilbreth and his team of engineers in the early 20th century as a way to analyze and improve the efficiency of work processes.
The word "Therblig" is derived from the name of the inventor, Frank Bunker Gilbreth, and the Greek word "bliggos," which means "small unit of work." Gilbreth was a pioneer in the field of time and motion study, and he believed that by breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable units, it would be easier to analyze and improve the efficiency of work processes.
There are 18 different Therblig symbols, each representing a specific type of motion or action. These symbols are used to represent various types of motions such as grasping, transporting, searching, and releasing. They are also used to represent various types of actions such as inspection, decision-making, and waiting.
The use of Therblig symbols allows industrial engineers to analyze and improve the efficiency of work processes by identifying areas where unnecessary or non-value-adding motions and actions are taking place. By eliminating these unnecessary actions, work processes can be streamlined and made more efficient, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings.
Therblig symbols are commonly used in the manufacturing and production industry, as well as in other fields such as healthcare, logistics, and service industries. They are a useful tool for analyzing and improving the efficiency of work processes and have been widely adopted as a standard way of representing and communicating information about work processes.
In conclusion, Therblig symbols are a set of standardized symbols used to represent various types of motion and action in the field of industrial engineering. They are used to analyze and improve the efficiency of work processes by identifying and eliminating unnecessary actions, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings.