CAPABLE. A Computer Program to Layout Controls and Panels

Abstract

Abstract CAPABLE short for Controls And Panel Arrangement by Logical Evaluation is a computer program. CAPABLE has produced good layouts in several practical situations based on the relative importance of certain design criteria as specified by the designer. Measures of effectiveness include separation of controls, distribution of work load between the limbs, distance moved and time taken to operate controls, grouping of controls, suitability for range of percentiles of the population, comfort and some aspects of accidental operation. This paper describes the concepts used within CAPABLE and discusses the success of the approach by reference to some of the results obtained.