Electronics Mini-Lab Design Suggestions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Williamscullen818
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2014, 06:51:33 am
content: I'm planning on turning my current Desk/Workstation into more of a Mini Electronics Lab. I've been using the open dining room in my 1 bedroom apartment as my office for a while now, Although it is getting way to crowded and I'm afraid I'm not taking advantage of the space wisely. I was hoping my fellow EEV Bloggers would have some suggestions for me as I design the new Workbench/Mini Lab. I've attached a few PDF's of a CAD drawing I put together recently of what is currently is the room, what it looks like empty and what I've been planning so far. I'm positive many of you have great suggestions for me, Or maybe you wish you had done something different in your personal Electronics Lab?I'll have a number of things on this desk and around this Lab.- 2 Computer Monitors (23")- PC Tower is on the Floor- Computer Printer- A Number of already built projects- Rigol DS1074Z Oscilloscope- Rigol DP832 PSU- Eventually a 6.5 digit Bench Multimeter (Still debating on model/features needed)- A number of wall mountable part drawers- 2 - 2' x 3' Whiteboards (They will be mounted on the wall)- Soldering Station- A Microscope as well (For Help Soldering Really)- I'd like to make a place for my home made reflow oven (Medium Sized Toaster Oven)- I'll need some book shelving as well since I am an engineering student (No shortage of heavy books).Seems like a small amount of stuff, and it really is compared to the EEVBlog Towers in Sydney. Although I'm sure everyone can relate to how quickly your workbench gets flooded with projects and paper, leds, resisters, wire, soldering braid, breadboards, and everything inbetween.Thanks everyone in advance for the suggestions.

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2014, 01:20:09 pm
content: I am by no measure no expert in subject, don't even have lab myself at moment. Building one eventually...Based on those PDF files you seem to have plenty of space.Define yourself clear work areas. All soldering related stuff in one area. Measuring, adjusting in another. Most computer stuff in third. Maybe have one monitor close to measuring area for easy pdf datasheet reference.Use some sort of shelves for storage of stuff not needed often. Completed projects not in use, exes components, etc...Place all most used things on desk itself. Scope, PSU, soldering station. Most often needed hand tools.Make sure you have regular place for everything. If you don't need it daily on projects, it's place is probably in storage bin in shelve. Just label those bins, so you know whats where.And light, make sure you have plenty of that. Nothing like trying to see value of resistor in dark when you realize you need more light. Some of this could be from those cheap white led strips mounted under the shelves.Basically it comes down to discipline to put things back where they belong after your done with them. I have finally realized value of this when they rolled out big TPM/LEAN things at work. Tools have their proper place, so less trying to find it... etc...If you look at some of those pictures in here eevblog forum about peoples labs, you do realize they don't do everything in one place. They do have some separation what get done where.I think most often its about you respecting your self enough to take a time to organize yourself a decent place to work on.

author: Williamscullen818
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 03:17:02 am
content: Great suggestions, I'm not the best at putting things back to where they came from. I think this lab well do me quite well once its done, just need to be sure I start organized.

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 07:16:35 am
content: Quote from: Williamscullen818 on January 19, 2014, 03:17:02 amIf you can manage to break that bad habit then this should be plenty of space to work with. I've got much less space and get along just fine (minus the whiteboards - do you REALLY need those?).

author: Williamscullen818
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 07:48:04 am
content: I'm not worried I'm low on space, only looking for best layout. I don't desperately need the white boards, but I use them alot. They were on clearance at work couple months ago for cheap, so I picked a couple up. Its nice to write equations down and what not, so I'm not looking for them when I need them.

author: jancumps
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 08:54:04 am
content: Quote from: lapm on January 18, 2014, 01:20:09 pmI saved myself significant space by not doing that, but by taking care I can switch my tiny space to one of them efficiently.Another thing I did is purchase a second hand 4-in-1 power supply, Dmm, signal generator and counter, these don't get much love around here, but it works very well for me and has little desk footprint. That 4-in-1 and my scope are stacked so that they are the only permanent lab fixtures on my desk.

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 12:35:13 pm
content: Quote from: jancumps on January 19, 2014, 08:54:04 amWell my advice was given on that specific situation where there is room for it. Personally im building small corner basic lab from old corner computer desk, so will go multi-use work area myself. Just need to carefully think where i place soldering station, etc... And reserve space for near future upgrades like scope and signal generator and possibly another adjustable power supply.

author: idpromnut
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 02:34:44 pm
content: In my case, I built a desk about 5 1/5' x 3' deep and ~ 3' high. I added one full length shelf both above and below the work surface. After that, it was a case of place instruments, use it, move stuff around, use it, rinse and repeatI am on my 3rd layout attempt and I am sure it will change as I add more equipment etc.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 04:07:12 pm
content: Quote from: Williamscullen818 on January 18, 2014, 06:51:33 amAre you sure you still want that ? Assuming you've read the saga, adventure and support chaos at the giant DP832 thread.Edit : Just realized maybe you haven't read it yet, here you go ->EEVblog #512 - Rigol DP832 Bad Design Investigation

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 05:22:47 pm
content: Quote from: idpromnut on January 19, 2014, 02:34:44 pmI agree, you will go through a number of iterations before you are satisfied. I built my workbench over Thanksgiving and am regularly rearranging things. The rearranging even included building an oscilloscope cart with a shelf to take my 2 analog scopes off the workbench along with my octopus circuit tester. I didn't build my workbench, which I also use for my job, with equipment placement in mind, knowing myself. I am always trying to improve the ergonomics. You will also find, as you add equipment, you will end up moving most of the equipment to make the flow better. My bench is 8 feet long by 34" wide with a shelf on the bottom and 3 full length adjustable shelves above. It looked like I would not fill all the shelves, but I have come close to doing that with adding component/parts storage

author: Williamscullen818
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2014, 08:59:46 pm
content: QuoteI was under the assumption that they fixed that Issue. I haven't actually purchased it yet, I've been debating over buying the DM3058E 5.5 digit Multimeter or the DP832 Power supply. I'd purchase them from TEquipment.net, so as far as support goes I'm confident they will support my purchases. I was leaning towards the DP832 because of the Hack that is available for it, and also I figured I would wait until I could afford a 6.5 digit multimeter before purchasing the DM3058E. What is your opinion? Should I go for the DM3058E or the DP832? It's a difficult decision for me, I dont know if i need one more then the other.

author: tequipment
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2014, 02:46:53 am
content: we have your backI loved reading your post. Thanks. Now to get 5 kids to go to bed after a snow day.Evan CirelliVice PresidentTEquipment.NET

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 05:17:44 pm
content: Quote from: Williamscullen818 on January 19, 2014, 08:59:46 pmHeh, I recently ordered both from tequipment. They won't be in stock 'til May, so get saving!I did paypal but got it refunded and switched to credit card when I realised the delay. The CC only gets debited on despatch

author: Williamscullen818
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 05:27:49 pm
content: I already got mine. I ordered the DP832 and the DS1074Z, I'm really happy with the DP832, but planning on exchanging the DS1074Z at some point for a DS4014. Although Tequipment.net has been out of those for a while now aswell.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 10:47:44 pm
content: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minilab