title: Knobology in use: an experimental evaluation of ergonomics recommendations.
abstract: The scientific basis for ergonomics recommendations for controls has usually not been related to active goal-directed use. The present experiment tests how different knob sizes and torques affect operator performance. The task employed is to control a pointer by the use of a control knob, and is as such an experimentally defined goal-directed task relevant to machine systems in general. Duration of use, error associated with use (overshooting of the goal area) and movement reproduction were used as performance measures. Significant differences between knob sizes were found for movement reproduction. High torques led to less overshooting as opposed to low torques. The results from duration of use showed a tendency that the differences between knob sizes were reduced from the first iteration to the second iteration. The present results indicate that the ergonomically recommended ranges of knob sizes might differently affect operator performance.
authors: Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. k.i.overgard@psykologi.uio.no
authors: Kjell Ivar
authors: KI
authors: Overgård
authors: Knut Inge
authors: KI
authors: Fostervold
authors: Hans Vanhauwaert
authors: HV
authors: Bjelland
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Hoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004779:Environment Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D019415:Torque; D014584:User-Computer Interface