a5c-ai workstation-layout-designer
You are workstation-layout-designer - a specialized skill for designing ergonomic workstations and workspace layouts.
Overview
This skill enables AI-powered workstation design including:
- Work zone layout (primary, secondary, tertiary)
- Tool and material placement optimization
- Visual field considerations
- Lighting and visibility analysis
- Work surface height recommendations
- Seated vs standing workstation design
- Adjustable workstation specification
- Layout drawing generation
Capabilities
1. Work Zone Layout Design
from dataclasses import dataclass
from typing import List, Dict
import math
@dataclass
class WorkItem:
name: str
frequency: str # "continuous", "frequent", "occasional", "rare"
size: tuple # (width, depth, height) in inches
weight: float # lbs
requires_precision: bool = False
def design_work_zones(forward_reach: float, shoulder_width: float):
"""
Design work zone layout based on anthropometric data
"""
zones = {
"primary": {
"description": "Most frequent use - within easy reach",
"radius": forward_reach * 0.4,
"arc": 30, # degrees from centerline
"height_optimal": "elbow height +/- 4 inches",
"items": "Continuous and frequent use items"
},
"secondary": {
"description": "Occasional use - within normal reach",
"radius": forward_reach * 0.65,
"arc": 60,
"height_optimal": "shoulder to elbow height",
"items": "Occasional use items"
},
"tertiary": {
"description": "Infrequent use - maximum reach",
"radius": forward_reach * 0.9,
"arc": 90,
"height_optimal": "any comfortable height",
"items": "Rarely used items"
},
"storage": {
"description": "Storage only - outside normal work",
"radius": forward_reach * 1.2,
"arc": 180,
"height_optimal": "not critical",
"items": "Storage, rarely accessed"
}
}
return zones
def assign_items_to_zones(items: List[WorkItem], zones: dict):
"""
Assign work items to appropriate zones
"""
assignments = {zone: [] for zone in zones}
for item in items:
if item.frequency == "continuous":
assignments["primary"].append(item)
elif item.frequency == "frequent":
assignments["primary"].append(item) if item.requires_precision else \
assignments["secondary"].append(item)
elif item.frequency == "occasional":
assignments["secondary"].append(item)
else:
assignments["tertiary"].append(item)
return assignments
2. Tool and Material Placement
def optimize_tool_placement(tools: List[WorkItem], work_area_width: float,
work_area_depth: float, dominant_hand: str = "right"):
"""
Optimize placement of tools in work area
"""
placements = []
# Sort by frequency
sorted_tools = sorted(tools,
key=lambda t: ["continuous", "frequent", "occasional", "rare"].index(t.frequency))
# Primary zone dimensions
primary_width = work_area_width * 0.4
primary_depth = work_area_depth * 0.3
x_position = 0 if dominant_hand == "right" else work_area_width
direction = 1 if dominant_hand == "right" else -1
current_x = work_area_width / 2
current_y = work_area_depth * 0.2 # Near front edge
for tool in sorted_tools:
if tool.frequency in ["continuous", "frequent"]:
# Place in primary zone
zone = "primary"
y = current_y
x = current_x
current_x += (tool.size[0] + 2) * direction # Add spacing
elif tool.frequency == "occasional":
# Place in secondary zone
zone = "secondary"
y = work_area_depth * 0.5
x = current_x
else:
# Place in tertiary zone
zone = "tertiary"
y = work_area_depth * 0.8
x = current_x
placements.append({
"item": tool.name,
"x": round(x, 1),
"y": round(y, 1),
"zone": zone,
"orientation": "handle toward user" if tool.weight > 2 else "any"
})
return placements
3. Visual Field Design
def design_visual_layout(viewing_distance: float, task_type: str):
"""
Design layout considering visual requirements
task_type: "precision", "inspection", "monitoring", "general"
"""
visual_specs = {
"precision": {
"viewing_distance_inches": (10, 16),
"viewing_angle_down": (15, 35),
"illumination_lux": (500, 1000),
"display_tilt": "15-20 degrees toward user",
"notes": "May require task lighting and magnification"
},
"inspection": {
"viewing_distance_inches": (14, 20),
"viewing_angle_down": (15, 30),
"illumination_lux": (750, 1500),
"display_tilt": "Perpendicular to line of sight",
"notes": "Avoid glare on inspected surfaces"
},
"monitoring": {
"viewing_distance_inches": (20, 28),
"viewing_angle_down": (0, 20),
"illumination_lux": (300, 500),
"display_tilt": "Top tilted slightly away",
"notes": "Displays within 30 degrees of center"
},
"general": {
"viewing_distance_inches": (16, 24),
"viewing_angle_down": (0, 30),
"illumination_lux": (300, 500),
"display_tilt": "Adjustable",
"notes": "Standard office requirements"
}
}
specs = visual_specs.get(task_type, visual_specs["general"])
# Visual cone calculations
visual_cone = {
"optimal_cone": 15, # degrees - best visual acuity
"comfortable_cone": 30, # degrees - comfortable viewing
"maximum_cone": 60 # degrees - peripheral detection only
}
return {
"specifications": specs,
"visual_cone": visual_cone,
"layout_guidance": generate_visual_layout_guidance(specs, visual_cone)
}
def generate_visual_layout_guidance(specs, cone):
"""Generate specific layout guidance"""
return [
f"Primary displays within {cone['optimal_cone']}° of centerline",
f"Secondary displays within {cone['comfortable_cone']}° of centerline",
f"Viewing distance: {specs['viewing_distance_inches'][0]}-{specs['viewing_distance_inches'][1]} inches",
f"Display tilt: {specs['display_tilt']}",
f"Illumination: {specs['illumination_lux'][0]}-{specs['illumination_lux'][1]} lux"
]
4. Seated vs Standing Workstation
def design_workstation(task_characteristics: dict, duration_hours: float):
"""
Design workstation based on task and duration
task_characteristics:
- precision_required: bool
- force_required: bool
- mobility_required: bool
- visual_demands: str ("high", "medium", "low")
"""
recommendations = {
"posture": None,
"work_surface_height": None,
"chair_specifications": None,
"standing_mat": False,
"sit_stand_option": False
}
# Determine posture
if task_characteristics.get('precision_required') and duration_hours > 2:
recommendations["posture"] = "seated"
recommendations["reason"] = "Precision work benefits from stable seated posture"
elif task_characteristics.get('force_required'):
recommendations["posture"] = "standing"
recommendations["reason"] = "Force tasks benefit from standing to use body weight"
elif task_characteristics.get('mobility_required'):
recommendations["posture"] = "standing"
recommendations["reason"] = "Mobility needs favor standing"
elif duration_hours > 4:
recommendations["sit_stand_option"] = True
recommendations["posture"] = "sit-stand"
recommendations["reason"] = "Extended duration benefits from posture variety"
else:
recommendations["posture"] = "seated"
recommendations["reason"] = "Default for moderate duration tasks"
# Work surface height
if recommendations["posture"] == "seated":
recommendations["work_surface_height"] = {
"fixed": 29, # inches, standard desk
"adjustable_range": (24, 32),
"keyboard_tray": "Recommended for computer work"
}
recommendations["chair_specifications"] = {
"seat_height_range": (16, 21),
"seat_depth_range": (15, 18),
"lumbar_support": "Required",
"armrests": "Adjustable, removable preferred"
}
elif recommendations["posture"] == "standing":
recommendations["work_surface_height"] = {
"fixed": 42, # inches
"adjustable_range": (38, 48)
}
recommendations["standing_mat"] = True
recommendations["footrest"] = "Provide for weight shifting"
else: # sit-stand
recommendations["work_surface_height"] = {
"adjustable_range": (24, 48),
"adjustment_type": "Electric preferred for frequent changes"
}
recommendations["chair_specifications"] = {
"type": "Height-adjustable stool with back support",
"seat_height_range": (20, 32)
}
recommendations["standing_mat"] = True
return recommendations
5. Adjustable Workstation Specification
def specify_adjustable_workstation(user_population: str, task_type: str):
"""
Create specification for adjustable workstation
user_population: "single_user", "multi_user", "general"
"""
specifications = {
"work_surface": {
"width_inches": 60,
"depth_inches": 30,
"height_range_inches": (24, 48) if user_population != "single_user" else (26, 32),
"adjustment_mechanism": "Electric" if user_population == "multi_user" else "Manual crank",
"memory_positions": 3 if user_population == "multi_user" else 0,
"load_capacity_lbs": 150
},
"monitor_arm": {
"height_range_inches": (4, 16),
"depth_range_inches": (4, 20),
"tilt_range_degrees": (-90, 90),
"swivel_range_degrees": 360,
"weight_capacity_lbs": 25
},
"keyboard_tray": {
"width_inches": 26,
"height_adjustment_inches": (-4, 2),
"tilt_range_degrees": (-15, 15),
"swivel_range_degrees": (-15, 15)
},
"chair": {
"seat_height_range_inches": (16, 21),
"seat_depth_adjustment_inches": 3,
"lumbar_height_adjustment_inches": 4,
"armrest_height_adjustment_inches": 4,
"armrest_width_adjustment_inches": 2
}
}
# Task-specific modifications
if task_type == "precision":
specifications["work_surface"]["depth_inches"] = 24 # Bring work closer
specifications["task_light"] = {
"type": "Adjustable arm",
"lux": 1000,
"color_temperature_kelvin": 5000
}
elif task_type == "assembly":
specifications["work_surface"]["load_capacity_lbs"] = 300
specifications["anti_fatigue_mat"] = True
return specifications
6. Layout Drawing Generation
def generate_layout_specification(workstation_design: dict, items: List[WorkItem]):
"""
Generate textual layout specification for CAD or drawing
"""
layout = {
"drawing_title": "Workstation Layout",
"dimensions": {
"overall_width": workstation_design.get("width", 60),
"overall_depth": workstation_design.get("depth", 30),
"work_surface_height": workstation_design.get("height", 29)
},
"zones": [],
"item_placements": [],
"annotations": []
}
# Add zone boundaries
zones = design_work_zones(24, 18) # Default reach dimensions
for zone_name, zone_data in zones.items():
layout["zones"].append({
"name": zone_name,
"type": "arc",
"radius": zone_data["radius"],
"angle": zone_data["arc"],
"style": "dashed"
})
# Add item placements
placements = optimize_tool_placement(items, 60, 30)
for placement in placements:
layout["item_placements"].append({
"name": placement["item"],
"position": (placement["x"], placement["y"]),
"symbol": "rectangle"
})
# Add annotations
layout["annotations"] = [
{"text": "Primary Zone", "position": (30, 8)},
{"text": "Secondary Zone", "position": (30, 15)},
{"text": "Operator Position", "position": (30, 2), "symbol": "circle"}
]
return layout
Process Integration
This skill integrates with the following processes:
workstation-design-optimization.js5s-workplace-organization-implementation.js
Output Format
{
"workstation_type": "Seated Adjustable",
"work_surface": {
"dimensions": {"width": 60, "depth": 30},
"height_range": [24, 32]
},
"zones": {
"primary_radius": 9.6,
"secondary_radius": 15.6
},
"item_placements": [
{"item": "Keyboard", "x": 30, "y": 6, "zone": "primary"},
{"item": "Phone", "x": 50, "y": 8, "zone": "secondary"}
],
"chair_specs": {
"seat_height_range": [16, 21],
"lumbar_support": true
}
}
Best Practices
- User involvement - Get worker input
- Task analysis first - Understand work requirements
- Prototype and test - Validate before finalizing
- Consider all users - Not just average
- Plan for change - Build in adjustability
- Document rationale - Record design decisions
Constraints
- Balance ergonomics with task efficiency
- Consider cost vs adjustability tradeoffs
- Ensure compliance with standards
- Plan for maintenance and cleaning