Computers in workshops? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Arlen Moulton2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 07:19:31 am
content: I was thinking, I have a lot of computers so should I have one in the radio workshop?

author: Arlen Moulton2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 07:20:47 am
content: I noticed Dave has them in his lab so should I follow suit?

author: SpidersWeb
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 07:29:38 am
content: I got an ex-lease Core 2 Duo E8500 system for something like $20, threw a cheap LCD on the wall, threw in some more RAM.Machine sits under the workbench, and add on a cheap mini wireless keyboard + mouse to save space, and I can easily view / zoom / rotate schematics or find data sheets, or if those things aren't needed it's great for background music / video.So I'd say yes, would recommend to a friend.

author: Barny
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 07:48:48 am
content: I have a computer in my mechanical workshop.No need to go throgh the dirt-lock only to search some informations or print new working drawings.And yes, I need a dirt-lock (wash my hands, change clothes & shoes, clean my remaining hair with compressed air) becouse I would get serious trouble when all the oil, metal chips,... get in my home.At my machines, there is a old dumster dive - LCD and a al-cheepo silicone rubber keyboard which is conected to my PC in the electronic corner.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 09:26:54 am
content: Quote from: Arlen Moulton2 on March 01, 2016, 07:19:31 amHow the hell would we know?a) Have you got space?b) Will you use it?If the answer to those two questions is 'yes', then sure, maybe you should have a computer in your workshop.Quote from: Arlen Moulton2 on March 01, 2016, 07:20:47 ama) Dave has space.b) Dave looks up datasheets. Dave runs this forum. Dave runs PCB design software. Dave edits video. etc.So.... it makes sense for Dave to have computers in his lab.

author: tjeulink
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 10:55:46 am
content: if you have a phone that can handle a bit of filth and abuse i would imagine that that would be the budget and space efficient option. i often use this when im working on something because its well, mobile. but i do generally look stuff up on my laptop or pc when i get the chance so a dedicated pc is superior for me. but a strong smartphone is probably the best middle ground.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 01:06:03 pm
content: I'm building a new bench and it will be in the same room that I already have my desk and my main computer. But I will be building ANOTHER computer for use on the hobby bench (it's going to be L shaped, with one side for electronics and the other for model railroading). I have some computer based electronic things (scope, logic analyzer, plus I build a lot with Arduinos) and I have several computer interfaced devices involved with the trains. So I will have a computer on the workbench for sure. My plan for that one is a mini-ITX and have the LCD on one of those table mount arms so I can keep it out of the way when not in use.

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 01:18:00 pm
content: I'm trying to imagine an electronics workshop without a computer... but no way.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2016, 01:57:46 pm
content: Its pretty much essential bench equipment. A tablet, phone or similar just cant do the job due to insufficient screen area. I suggest an under-bench mount with a good sized monitor at the back of the bench and a keyboard with touchpad in a pull-out keyboard draw. That way you don't have to de-clutter the bench top to use the PC and its protected from most of the dirt and debris. Add a wireless mouse or trackball for when you need finer control than the touchpad can give, or so you can do simple point&click stuff with the keyboard draw closed.Its also worth mounting a powered USB hub at the back of the bench + one 'dumb' USB extender cable for stuff that doesn't like hubs, so you don't have to rummage under the bench to connect whatever you are working on. Use a multi-input monitor so you can also use it for whatever's on the bench.

author: bernie
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2016, 10:49:59 am
content: I USB hub on the bench is useful. Lack of desk space is an issue. My main computers are a bit of a distance from my work bench.Maybe the new Raspberry Pi v3 could be useful with a wireless keyboard, or will have to get a long monitor cable.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2016, 11:05:28 am
content: I do not have much space thus I use my old Acer AO751h netbook (Atom Z520) upgraded to a 128GB SSD to speed up things a bit. The 11 inch screen and the wider keyboard help a lot.

author: iXod
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2016, 03:12:01 pm
content: How often in your workshop do you find you want to lookup a datasheet or other info? If seldom, then I'd say no computer. But if you interrupt your workshop flow to go to the computer room to get some info, and like me, get distracted on the way and don't get back to your work for awhile, maybe a computer at-hand is a good idea.It's not about "what Dave does", it's what your needs are.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2016, 03:26:50 pm
content: Its not just for viewing datasheets and schematics. There's PC hosted test and measurement, whether directly using USB instruments or via standalone test equipment with GPIB or Ethernet connectivity, inspection and, unless you only work with analog circuits, there is also device programming and configuring digital modules,If you work exclusively with retro analog circuits and have all the paper databooks you need from 30 years ago back to the dark ages, you don't need a PC on your bench. The rest of us would be hard put to survive without one and without cheating by taking the current project to work on at our computer desks.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2016, 02:29:04 pm
content: I find computers very important in my workshop. I do MCU work so it is a must-have when coming to programming them, and even just during prototyping you need a computer for searching for datasheets online (or in my case, my datasheet archive in my storage server)

author: German_EE
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 10:46:34 am
content: My scope, VNA and logic analyzer are all PC based so without it I would lose a lot of my test gear. It's also useful for datasheets, schematic diagrams and, once in a while, a bit of background music whilst I work.Oh yeah, I also use it to watch EEVBlog

author: all_repair
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 10:53:53 am
content: I have just started using an andriod tablet in my workshop. Now thinking to get window tablet

author: David97
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2016, 11:06:44 am
content: I've got some old toshiba laptop. The HDD sounds terrible, the keyboard gums up, the battery sucks. But it works, it's so useful for getting datasheets. Even if that's all it can do.

author: cerhat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 19, 2016, 09:23:31 pm
content: I use a passively cooled Intel NUC. I can't imagine not having a nice big monitor for board files and schematics and I need to be able to use USB->GPIB or USB->RS232 for controlling instruments.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 11:46:15 am
content: If you don't want a big computer a Raspberry Pi with monitor/keyboard/mouse could probably work, if it's just for basic stuff like looking up stuff or interfacing with equipment.

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2016, 11:27:38 pm
content: I actually have two computers in my workshop environment. Those are really must-haves. And those are no slouch either: Machine 1 is a late 2012 13-inch MacBook Pro with Core i5-3210M and 8GB of RAM, running OS X as my daily driver (I am a UNIX person.) Machine 2 is a recent build workstation I use to run Windows-only development tools (I'm looking at you, Atmel and Altera), Intel Xeon E3-1231v3, 16GB of RAM and AMD R9 380 graphics.

author: XOIIO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 05:35:01 am
content: Find a decent secondhand laptop, mount a monitor to the wall, and use a mouse and keyboard with it. You can hide the laptop out of the way and it will be low power, so it could run 24/7. Could even remove the monitor from it and mount it to the wall so you can access the power buttoneasily.

author: ChunkyPastaSauce
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 05:49:25 am
content: I'd easily pick a decent laptop over a desktop, if no daq cards or whatever. Laptop you can treat as any other piece of equipment and bring to the project or arrange for best setup at the moment. Desktop, have to bring the project and equipment to the desktop, so can be pain.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 07:05:24 am
content: Hell yeah with at least 2 displays, (I3, 3.3G, 12G ram) for the meanwhile.Wouldn't/couldn't be without one.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 09:23:42 am
content: Absolutely, Software Defined Radios are at the sharp end of radio, esp with a mixture of some analogue in the front end.I have an old XP beast but there is a lot of old software that likes it ,and it has about 5 serial ports and 4 old ISA slots. I hope it doesn't die soon,

author: med6753
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 10:22:32 am
content: Essential. Most of my operator/service manuals are softcopy. Plus I have a project file. And the Siglent DSO interfaces nicely with the computer.

author: Radio Tech
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 10:29:02 am
content: I have 5 in the shop.One for billing/invoice.2 are used for looking at schematics, pic programming, usb microscope.2 are old DOS machines. Set up for Eprom burning.

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 10:37:54 am
content: Possibly at the extreme end, I run three 4k monitors in my lab on a single PC, but it's electronics only, no nasty metalwork or PCB fab, that's what the kitchen's for!For doing PCB layout, at least two full hd monitors IMHO, but preferably 2560x1440 or x1600 minimum, one for the board the other fir the schematic. A third is nice for datasheets, email etc. I run mine at 3200x1800 as 4k means I need to use software scaling to see stuff... and all the pain that goes with that.In normal use I have one as the focal point and the others as auxiliaries for data sheets and stuff on the back burner.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 11:41:50 am
content: Quote from: Howardlong on March 21, 2016, 10:37:54 amMetalwork in the wife's office!.......you're a braver man than me!Ian.

author: ChunkyPastaSauce
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 12:44:56 pm
content: Quote from: Howardlong on March 21, 2016, 10:37:54 amAre the monitors still pixel sharp at 3200x1800 and what's the size of the displays? Right now I am running 30" 2560x1600 monitors but have been thinking about giving 4k a shot...but what I really want would be 3k...but not made

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 12:51:02 pm
content: Although I do use a laptop occasionally for bench stuff, it takes up far too much valuable bench real estate for my liking. Its also difficult to adequately protect it against dirt, fumes and bench debris, unless it supports setting a charging limit less than 100%, its bad for the battery to run it off mains power continuously, and due to thermal issues, parts availability and price is a far less cost-effective in the long term than a desktop/tower. It *ONLY* wins when you need portability, or mains isolation.Unfortunately, as long as manufacturers continue to write Windows only tools and drivers, one does need the capability to run Windows, and a VM doesn't always do the job, especially when dealing with USB devices. If you can get by with only Linux, either you aren't using your bench PC to its full capabilities, or you are working in a niche field where the FOSS tools are superior. Linux tools usually run cleanly on a Linux VM, although for some high performance stuff a dual-boot install or an extra PC may be preferable.Lastly, if you are running multiple bench PCs with a mix of OSes on multiple monitors, (as I was a couple of years ago), take a look atSynergy, which provides easy control of all the machines without a KVM switch and also shares the clipboard. If you are only using one screen a KVM switch is likely to be a better option. Either way, it lets you run all your bench machines from one mouse and one keyboard, which as I have said before should be in a pull-out keyboard draw, which de-clutters your bench and is easier to protect against spills, damage and debris.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 12:54:05 pm
content: I have a company computer on my workbench with all my test software and documentation with a 22" monitor on a swing arm. I also have a KVM switch for when I work on a computer. For my own use, I have a laptop that I bring to the workbench when needed.

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 01:05:00 pm
content: I have a Gigabyte Brix attached to the back of a 23" monitor on my bench, so it doesn't take much space. I can't stand a lot of stuff in the way on the bench top. That's what shelves are for. I can just put the keyboard and mouse on the floor if I need more room, but moving the monitor/PC would be more trouble.I've been thinking of getting a wall mount. However, the Brix attaches using the monitor's VESA mount holes and I would need those for the wall mount. Maybe I can just hot glue the Brix to the back of the monitor or use cable ties to attach it to the wall mount arm.

author: grouchobyte
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 01:06:09 pm
content: Not having multiple computers in a lab or workshop in 2016 means you are not doing anything useful. The answer is a resounding, emphatic YES, of course you must have one in your space. I would love to hear an argument for NOT having a least a tablet, unless you are poor as a church mouse or operating your lab/workshop out of your parents linen closet.My car has a steering wheel, my home has running water. Hell, look at my Dad.....circa 1980http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--f26CZvU6--/18mnk4vle5h4ajpg.jpg

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2016, 01:26:56 pm
content: Quote from: grouchobyte on March 21, 2016, 01:06:09 pmSign should read "Will work for charge and Wifi"

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2016, 02:12:13 pm
content: Quote from: ChunkyPastaSauce on March 21, 2016, 12:44:56 pmThey are 28" (AOC U2868pqu). They're not pixel sharp as native resolution is 3840x2160 of course, but it was a compromise. I did originally run them at 4k, with 125% software scaling, but the scaling in Windows is a bit hit and miss depending on the application you're running so some things would be microscopically small. I've been reasonably happy with 3200x1800. As I said, it's a compromise, the least worst option.If I was doing it again I would do 32" although then the scope above the main monitor would be too high up for ease of use, and I'd have to do some significant bench reorg to fit them in.I did use 2x27" 2560x1440 before that, that was awesome for PCB layout, A3 schematic on one telly, board on the other.What I found just didn't work at all well was running multiple monitors of different resolutions and sizes, I had trouble getting the mouse cursor size to stay anything other than tiny, you do need to increase you mouse cursor size on these higher def tellies.One further word of caution about those AOC U2868pqu's: I frequently find they have trouble negotiating consistently with the source machine (a Mac Mini server i7) over display port, or the two 4k DisplayLink USB Display Port adapters. The monitors are recognised but they're blank. I have to switch the offending monitor off for about 20s and switch it back on to make it work. I am only running at 30Hz, but for board layout and development I find that's perfectly fine. the monitors support 60Hz at 4K but my sources don't.To make the Mac Mini (Intel HD 4000) run at more than 1920x1080p in Windows 10, you have to cheat the Windows 10 Intel driver which has had the ability to run anything more than full HD removed in the Windows 10 driver (gotta love "progress"). To fix it, find and run the CustomModeApp.exe (ISTR it's in the Windows folder somewhere) and add your custom resolutions.The same applies to a lesser degree to the 4K DisplayLink adapters. You can enable custom resolutions like 3200x1800 by hacking the registry.http://support.displaylink.com/knowledgebase/articles/757866-monitor-mode-or-resolution-not-available-when-connSo in short, you are right, it's not native crisp pixel sharp, but the hardware rendered resampling I find in practical terms is far better than suffering some obscure complex rescaling algorithm dreamt up by the OS! It ended up being the least worse option, and to be fair it ain't bad. I do the same on my laptop, it has a native 2880x1800 in 15" but I run it at 2048x1280, so same aspect ratio but hardware resampled.