Lab Management - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: jismake
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 09:38:19 am
content: ANy great ideas for electronics lab management..1. I have to implement 5S in my lab2. Avoid people from lifting equipments/componentslet me knowthanks,jis

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 10:20:34 am
content: Locks keep honest people honest. If someone really wants to lift something, they will just do it.

author: Kohanbash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 10:41:50 am
content: I use a paint marker and put a green mark on all my tools so they do not get mixed with others.However as legit-design said it only keeps the honest people honest.

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 11:07:16 am
content: Quote from: jismake on December 25, 2013, 09:38:19 amDeath traps!

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 04:40:07 pm
content: Phalanx close in weapons systems.

author: PedroDaGr8
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 05:32:41 pm
content: I vote for attack piranhas. Otherwise irreversible markings, chaining to the bench etc is the only way.Sent from my EVO using Tapatalk

author: shebu18
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 06:51:00 pm
content: Implement RF in the equipment so if it leaves the room a alarm goes off.

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 06:53:50 pm
content: Removal of vital parts before you leave helps as well...P.S.Don't ask who's vital parts!

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 07:00:11 pm
content: Implementing 5S does depend on what kind of hellhole the lab currently is, and what type of hoarders and self-styled heroes and masterminds you have. This determines the resistance you will face.Your leadership skills will determine how this will work out. What is very important is leading by example. I.e. if the lab manager's work place continues to look like a trash can you will not get the desired results. One trick is to start on your personal workplace with 5S well in advance, and not telling anyone what you are doing. You just create an example from where you work on. Introduce one principle after the other. Never mention that you actually do 5S. And you have to adjust the workload of the people. Keeping 5S costs time.Interestingly, long before it was known as 5S those principles or similar ones were just standard lab and workshop behavior. At least if you didn't work in some shithole. I learned them *mumble* decades ago in the first workshop I worked in as a boy. Ironically these days kids seem to go ballistic if you tell them to clean up their workplace ...BTW, 5S helps a bit with preventing people for steeling equipment. You are only supposed to have the equipment you need at your workplace (the hoarders will hate you for this ...). So there is less equipment around which could be stolen, and it gets more obvious when something is missing.I am all for locks, e.g. chaining equipment with kensington locks to the bench or wall. It is not only about keeping honest people honest. It raises the bar, it prevent impulse theft by visitors, and it prevents colleagues borrowing your equipment. Sure it doesn't take much to get rid of a kensington lock, but it requires a bit of preparation - having a wire cutter ready.

author: lapm
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2013, 08:24:02 pm
content: 5S should not give you any major trouble. Biggest hurdle is to find appropriate place for everything.How ever visitor tracking and theft prevention is another matter. I recommend some sort of entry tracking- who enters and when. So at least you have potential suspects if something expensive goes missing all of sudden.Keep lab door locked at all times and you can handle this automatically with some sort of key card system.And one more thing, recording surveillance camera at entrance that records its materials somewhere outside the lab.