Workshop in an apartment for building robotics
Too_Many_Tools
Posts: 765
Looking for examples of apartment workshop arraignments that work for building robotics.
I have several nephews and nieces that are in college that want to build robots like their uncle. ;<)
Thanks for any suggestions.
I have several nephews and nieces that are in college that want to build robots like their uncle. ;<)
Thanks for any suggestions.
Comments
When I was in a small rented location I got Sherline lathe and milling machine for robot work. They work well, good precision and good quality. I still use the lathe frequently. My machines are almost 20 years old and still great shape!
And here's my work area once I got my own room. http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/139851-How-do-you-clean-your-workbench?p=1096040&viewfull=1#post1096040
While we're at it, here's my storage solutions: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php/149124-Recommendations-for-tool-parts-storage-in-the-home-workshop?p=1195748&viewfull=1#post1195748
I would highly recommend not doing any cutting/drilling/soldering in a dorm room. You're too close to your living space, and it's a real pain to clean metal shavings out of your blanket. Don't share a messy workshop area with a clean computer or personal area.
When I lived at college I had my soldering tools in a kit that I could take to some outdoor picnic tables and work out there. There's excellent ventilation and no mess. For heavier things, most colleges will have a machine shop and an electronics shop on campus that's open to all students. All you have to do is go in and introduce yourself.
Very cool setup.
1)Drawing area
2)Computer area
3)Work area
I like it alot. Very good use of a small space.
Well done...I like the usage of 3-D space...vertical risers, wrap around desk, vertical usage of instrument space..effective use of traffic movement.
A question...where does the squirrel in your avatar sit? ;<)
I like it...as you said free standing so it is easily moved...a requirement of apartment living.
Efficient use of vertical space.
How do the white boards work out..do you find that you use them often?
My previous living space was a single room with a personal bathroom attached. I made every usage of the space that I could. My bed was elevated 4 feet off the ground and cabinets were placed beneath. Long term storage was behind the cabinets and under the bed. I had 5' tall filing cabinets with things on top, and a tall commercial storage unit (7 feet tall) with awkward things on top of that. The bathroom was pretty roomy (industrial style), so there was enough room to put in a bike rack. It worked pretty well (pictures).
I should also point out that everything is on the cheap. The total costs for my current setup are:
$50 - Filing cabinet x 3
$40 - Short filing cabinet
$200 - Brown card cabinet
$250 - Workbench
$70 - Bookcase
$60 - Rolling cabinet seat
$40 - Desk
$710
I buy most of my furniture from office surplus stores. They usually have ESD workbenches, but most are 6' and ~$500. ESD benches usually have a very nice shelving system.
The one expensive piece of furniture is my Herman Miller Aeron chair, and my soon to be desk legs (height adjustable).
Moving is a bit of a pain, but it works because I'm a pretty big guy so I can handle the filing cabinets myself. Otherwise (<180lbs) you're going to have trouble handling everything.
"How do the white boards work out..do you find that you use them often?" - I personally use them all of the time. If not for working out an idea in my head, I use them to put on my "teacher hat" and help my girls with their homework. Now if I could just keep them from running off with my dry-erase markers.
Cheap is good...it allows one to experiment for the optimal arraignment...one is not afraid to replace a piece of the shop.
Modular is good...again it allows one to experiment for the optimal arraignment...massive one piece setups don't get changed.
Portability is good...in my experience it can take years to find the right storage/desk/shelf combination..and anything good is something you want to follow you through life's journey.
Thanks for the feedback.
I ask because I rarely use them when it is just me without having to relate to other designers.
I find that paper seems to work better...much better..a roll of 3-foot wide rolling paper gives one a large surface to design on.
I also note that I design better on paper than on a computer screen...perhaps it is just the way one learned early in life to relate to the world.
http://www.users.qwest.net/~kmaxon/page/side/etools_137.htm
For me, it used to mean hacking up metal and other materials to build human-sized robots. My tool and supply budget was staggering. I no longer do those, and in fact, I seldom use metal. So my building space went from a 500 square foot garage to a corner of my office. (This does not include the CNC machine I use for my business.)
Your nieces and nephews might be among the rising cadre of robot builders who get the mechanics ready-made, or use LEGO parts. No hard construction necessary. Nothing wrong with this approach, and more practical for apartment living.
What do robotic teams have when they go to compete?
Which robotics teams are you talking about?
The largest robotics competition (by people) is probably FIRST. They get a pit area that's pretty large (12' x 12' or so, IIRC) and usually take quite a bit. Usually at these events there's an on site machine shop that can provide components as well.
Do a Google image search for "first robotics pit".
Remember that these pits have to be set up in a few hours or less, and taken down as quickly.
Thanks for the lead.
I guess I am referring to ALL robotic groups that compete.
I would guess that they need on site capability to fix and create solutions during competition.
Think of a field tech's need to handle any problem at a customer's site...what would he have with him?
http://www.labdesignnews.com/articles/2013/10/2014-laboratory-year-competition-open-entries
Made ya look!
Wow, that is steep. How do you suspect they are funding the contest?
I wonder if the wooden plaque the winner gets even costs $295.