Sylvain Miermont @miermont@social.cleverlibre.org

@PankoBoy

@Gaythia Fair point, lots of equipment in a small volume could be an issue.

Does that seems like a workable solution? Has it already be done? Does something better already exists? What do you think @jrsikken @SexyCyborg @arturo182 @blitzcitydiy @timonsku ?

I've made a small schematic of the idea, representing 6 desks, from 'A' to 'F'. Desks B+C and D+E are mobile, guided by high rails, with wheels on the floor, connected to mains + networking from ceiling junction boxes. Desks A and F are fixed, and suitable for plumbing, hoods with extraction, etc.

Assuming 90cm deep and 2m wide desks, a 90cm "alley" to roll through with a desk chair and a 90cm "access" alley on one side of the room, that would result in 10.8m² of usable desk space + many cubic meter of accessible storage in a 18.3m² room.

So, for all those different tasks and tools, having dedicated desk space, or zones, seems really useful. But, unless you live in a large detached house or can rent additional space, it's hard to find room to fit all that.

Here's my proposal: assuming you're working alone, and nobody but you needs to simultaneously be in front of several of those desk areas, what if you used the principle used by high density shelf storage for your workshop? But instead of shelves, you have desks with storage space on top.

But wait, there's more!

As some of the #OSHW projects you've published (because, of course you do :wink:) generate interest :crossed_fingers:, you want some zone to do #smallBatchAssembly. *Just* some additional desk space for a manual stencil printer, some efficient way to do components placement (have you heard of PnPAssist? If not, https://hackaday.io/project/179878-pnpassist ), fore sure a hot plate or reflow oven, and hopefully a testing jig ✅ .

Also, because #DIY #electronics projects are rarely "just electronics" and need enclosures, you want space for a filament #3Dprinter, maybe also a resin one, with some dedicated "wet" zone for finishing, including a water source and sink. The sink is a must-have anyways if you want to etch some PCBs from time to time.
Sure, you can order low-cost high-quality #PCB online, but sometime you just need test some stuff *now* and a breadboard with loose wires is not good enough (RF, clocks, high-speed buses, noise-sensitive sensors, etc).

So far, so good, that can fit in a tight space.

Now you also want to have some desk space for one or two "ongoing projects" in various state of completion, or a disassembly/repair that won't be finished in a week-end. Or maybe some long-duration testing of one of your quasi-finished #project.
So, more "zones" needed because putting everything in and out of boxes would mean lots of "context switching", and squatting the living-room table is a sure way to irritate your partner/roommates/parents and get your project mariekondoed 🗑️ away.

I hope you're having a great Sunday, let me share an idea I got yesterday.

Let's say you're thinking of your next #electronicsLab. You have a space that can be kept reasonably dust free, and at a comfortable temperature, great. For starters, you want to have a zone for soldering and rework: ESD mat, soldering/desoldering station, binocular :microscope:, wire racks, the basics. You also want to have a zone for testing/flashing, with a PC, various power supplies, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and maybe some specialized equipment.

On December 1st, 16:00 German time, there will be a presentation on Lora application to Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN) that could be relevant for lots of environmental monitoring projects happening in the wilderness.

It will be live on Youtube (possible to catch it later).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srTsFzihRWc