Electronics Lab Bench Setup Information – Badar Jahangir Kayani
Since a really younger age, I’ve been inquisitive about how issues work. Due to my dad, my curiosity was satiated with an ample provide of instruments and information. In sixth grade, I received my first expertise with a soldering iron and all of it took off from there. In a short time, I arrange a piece bench to do my initiatives on. Through the years, the working setup improved, moved and developed.
The electronics lab bench has been optimized over time and redesigned to slot in a smaller house. Its very practical, personalized and economical. I take advantage of top quality instruments however solely the place it is smart. A lot of the merchandise I take advantage of, I’ve used for some time and have examined different cheaper alternate options, solely to land on the present one. Some, I’m nonetheless determining one of the best model of.
On this article, I’ll dive deep into each a part of my workbench and present you the construction, group, instruments and components I’ve collected over time. The thought is that with this information, my bench will be replicated with the identical performance in minimal time. Lets get into it. Be happy to navigate to components you have an interest in.
- Bench Setup
- Organization
- Test Equipment
- Prototyping Supplies
- Soldering Tools
- Hand Tools
- Consumables
- Parts
- Computer Workstation
- 3D Printer
Bench Setup
The bench is constructed utilizing a 78″x24″ table top from Ikea and two Alex drawers to assist it. The gray matt on the bench is a Weller ESD mat with excessive temperature resistance. I even have a cutting mat stowed beneath the bench for any reducing wants I’ll have.
Above the bench are 10″ deep wall mounted shelving. I opted for wall mounted since it’s the most compact answer. The cabinets are from residence depot and I’m utilizing the Rubbermaid rail mounting system.
The lighting is finished utilizing two 90+ CRI LED strips mounted beneath the bottom shelf, every with a special coloration temperature. They’re managed utilizing a touch switch and powered from a 24V PSU. The sunshine will be too vivid at occasions so I’m planning so as to add PWM management sooner or later to change brightness and web coloration temperature as properly. It additionally doesn’t unfold too evenly so I’m wanting right into a diffuser as properly.
All the facility distribution is finished utilizing a protracted 12 port power strip that’s mounted on a wire management tray. All of the PSU’s and energy wiring is managed on the tray to keep away from a dangly mess beneath the desk.
I even have a bench PC that’s extraordinarily helpful to gather information, work together with the oscilloscope and consider schematics, datasheets and so forth. The display for the bench is mounted on the wall with a swivel arm.
Ikea – Lagkapten 78×24″ Table Top
Ikea – Alex Drawer
Amazon – Weller ESD Mat
Amazon – Cutting Mat
Homedepot – 72×10″ White Shelf
Homedepot – Rubbermaid 48″ Track
Homedepot – Rubbermaid 9″ Shelf Bracket
Amazon – 3000K 90+ CRI LED Strip
Amazon – 6000K 90+ CRI LED Strip
Amazon – Meanwell 24V 10A PSU
Amazon – Touch Switch
Amazon – 12 Port Power Strip
Amazon – Cable Management Tray
Amazon – 22″ Monitor
Amazon – Wall Mounted Arm
Group
The primary enchantment of my bench is the group. I obsess over the little particulars and have spent loads of time to prepare each a part of the bench. Group is an ever going course of although so it can by no means be finished, it can simply maintain getting higher.
Overview
Lets take a look at the organizational construction I’ve applied. The whole lot is positioned in a means that essentially the most used issues are the simplest to get to. Most frequent instruments, devices and parts are out within the open. Much less continuously used stuff is saved in drawers, bins and compartment packing containers. I prefer to maintain issues constant as a lot as doable because it makes storing them simpler.
At this level, I wish to level out that you just want a strategy to label issues. Masking tape and a sharpie work nice however you will get fancy with a label maker or label printer. I take advantage of all of them primarily based on what I’m labelling and the way everlasting/vital I anticipate it to be.
Bench Prime
Lets begin with the bench high. I’ve a main bin of instruments that at all times holds a sure set of instruments and primarily based on what I’m engaged on, will retailer further instruments as properly. It serves as a fast strategy to stow away instruments when not wanted and simply retrieve them when wanted.
The soldering iron and hot air rework station are to the suitable since I’m proper handed. They’re fast to succeed in but additionally not in the way in which. Different issues are lined up the place they match just like the power supply, solder wire, USB charging station and so forth. I maintain the left space clear so I can unfold out my undertaking additional. I additionally normally maintain a smaller bin to carry parts I’m actively utilizing on the left.
Components/Consumables Storage
There are 3 major sorts of containers I take advantage of to retailer all my stuff:
- Small Drawers
- Compartment Containers
- Bins
For the drawers, I take advantage of Akro-Mills drawers as they’re first rate high quality and are available quite a lot of configurations. I take advantage of these to retailer digital parts. A lot of the drawer house is taken by my tracked stock of parts for PCB designs. I additionally produce other digital parts like relays, panel mount switches, magnets and so forth. within the drawers. They’re all labelled and arranged in a logical means in order that comparable stuff is collectively. For instance all SMD parts are grouped collectively.
I primarily use 2 sorts of compartment packing containers. One is the clear 10.8x7x1.8″ box that’s low cost and good for quite a lot of components on account of its modular compartments. I retailer connectors, {hardware}, modules and dev boards in these packing containers. I normally purchase kits of factor from Amazon and every is available in its personal distinctive field so I’ve discovered it higher to shift the components to those commonplace packing containers. They’re much simpler to retailer and navigate when you find yourself searching for one thing. These are stacked on the second shelf. I additionally do have smaller compartment packing containers for a number of the smaller connectors. For instance all JST SH connectors go in a small field. However I’ve tried to have just a few totally different sizes and keep on with these as an alternative of getting every connector be its personal kind of field. Initially, that may work however as you add extra sorts of components, it will get annoying. The smaller packing containers are saved in the primary drawers. There are some issues like connectors which are available so many shapes, sizes and use instances that I discover it finest to retailer them appropriately in numerous containers and totally different places. My extra continuously used connectors are within the drawer subsequent to me however the much less frequent ones are within the bigger compartment packing containers.
The opposite kind of field I take advantage of is the Aidetek SMD component storage box. I completely love these items and so they wonderful to retailer a lot of parts in a small quantity. I’ve all my continuously used parts in these packing containers and I maintain them on the primary shelf for fast entry.
There may be loads of issues that cant slot in both of the above two choices so I take advantage of bins for these. Once more, I’ve tried to make use of solely two sizes in order that its simple to retailer them and so they look visually extra aesthetic. The highest shelf is taken by bins for bigger issues like tapes, adhesives and so forth. I’ve bigger bins with components within the closet that maintain issues I very not often must entry.
Drawers
The drawers on each ends of my desk are used to retailer quite a lot of instruments, components and consumable provides. However extra importantly, I take advantage of small organizing containers to maintain issues contained in the drawers pretty properly organized. I take advantage of these ones for the shallow drawers and these for the deep ones.
The drawers I can entry most simply are the highest left two drawers and so they maintain extra instruments and soldering provides. The highest drawers on the suitable are sadly blocked by the soldering station wires so I maintain issues I take advantage of much less continuously in these.
Within the decrease drawers, I maintain extra provides and components like wires, warmth shrink, connectors and so forth.
Check Lead Holder
On the left fringe of the cabinets, I’ve a test lead holder that I take advantage of to hold all my check leads together with oscilloscope leads, Minigrabber leads, alligator jumper cables and so forth. Not solely does this maintain them straight, it additionally retains them untangled and able to use.
Part Stock System
I’ve greater than a thousand totally different electrical parts for PCBs and looking for which one I’ve grew to become very time consuming. So I spent much more time arising with a list system for the parts. The system is predicated on Airtable and it shops entries for every part. It mechanically generates a pleasant label that I can use to re-bag the parts since they devour a lot much less house in my baggage in comparison with what LCSC, Digikey and so forth. ship them in. I even have automation scripts so as to add parts into the database from CSV information.
I’ll go into far more depth on the stock system in a separate submit that I’ll hyperlink right here when its up. There are loads of particulars concerning the system I need to doc and share.
Amazon – Brother Label Maker
Amazon – 15×6″ Bin
Amazon – Akro-Mils 24 Drawer Cabinet
Amazon – Akro-Mils 44 Drawer Cabinet
Amazon – Compartment Box 11x7x2″
Amazon – Aidetek Compartment Box
Amazon – 2″ Drawer Organizer Set
Amazon – 10x6x3″ Clear Bins
Amazon – Pomona Test Lead Holder
I’ve a used loads of totally different instruments, components and provides over time. Slowly, I’ve moved in direction of one of the best stability of high quality and worth in every of those classes. Within the following sections, I’ll go over my advice for issues wanted to get began. As you’re employed on initiatives, you’ll add extra stuff primarily based on undertaking particular wants. Hyperlinks are offered to the place you should purchase the whole lot. I’ve additionally added what I like about every merchandise primarily based on my private expertise utilizing them.
Check Gear
UNI-T UT61E Digital Multimeter
Significantly better worth than a Fluke. Quick auto-ranging. All of the options you would wish together with data-logging.
Probe Grasp 8000 Check Lead Equipment
Gold plated. Silicon wires. Snug and ergonomic design.
RD TC-66 USB-C Energy Meter
Very nifty to check USB-C units and energy bricks. Works with all protocols.
180W DC Digital Load
Information logging capacity over USB and Bluetooth. Less expensive than absolutely constructed digital masses. Nice for PSU, USB and battery testing.
Rigol DS1054Z Digital Oscilloscope
Nice entry stage scope for learners. I’ve upgraded to the next finish mannequin however I’d advocate this when beginning out.
Prototyping Provides
Bread Board Jumper Cables
These are a lot better high quality than a budget ones that come is a strip or the flimsy ones. Get the 10cm and 15cm in all configurations.
Preformed Bread Board Jumper Wire Equipment
A lot stiffer than all others I’ve tried. Maintain their form properly and go in simple.
Hakko FX-888D Soldering Station
Get this as soon as and by no means give it some thought once more. Get particular ideas for particular use instances though bear in mind that skinny ideas don’t work very properly.
Engineer SS-02 Solder Sucker
The very best sucker on the market. Will get clogged simply what I’ve not been capable of finding something higher.
Whizoo Reflow Oven
Out there as a DIY equipment so its double the enjoyable. Works a lot better than a budget ones on the market.
Yihua 959D-Digital Scorching Air Rework Station
Finest worth for a sizzling air station. Its additionally far more compact than different fashions. Should purchase in the event you plan to do SMD work.
Knipex Facet Cutter 5″
Xcelite Needle Nostril Plier
Simply the suitable measurement for electronics work. To not tighten bigger nuts.
Mitutoyo 6″ Digital Caliper
Purchase as soon as, cry as soon as. Very dependable in comparison with cheaper alternate options
OLFA 18mm Utility Knife
Properly you want one thing to open all of the Amazon packages with. Sharpest and most sturdy. Japanese.
Consumable Provides
Soldering
Warmth Shrink
Warmth Shrink Tubing Equipment
Nothing particular. I just like the black ones in comparison with the multi-colored kits.
Waterproof Warmth Shrink Tubing Equipment
Nice for extra rugged functions. Adhesive lined.
These will get you thru most functions however you may actually purchase them in numerous colours, increased high quality and materials primarily based in your use case. I’ve gathered quite a lot of tubing however use the aforementioned 99% of the time.
Wires
My expertise with silicon coated wires from Amazon has be nice. They aren’t the very best quality you will get however they’re ok for many prototyping functions. You may get them in any gauge and coloration combo your utility calls for. However don’t get PVC coated wires since they typically soften very simply and are poorly made. For these, it’s best to flip to Digikey and be able to pay a premium.
Tapes
3M VHB 5952 Double Sided Tape
The strongest double sided tape on the market. The smaller rolls are largely fakes and never nearly as good.
Adhesives
Cable Administration
Cells/Batteries
Components
Elements
My digital part stock is huge with greater than 1000 distinctive parts. This stock has constructed up over the course of many initiatives. I’ll write a separate weblog submit wherein I’ll cowl my curated record of parts to get began with.
Fasteners
Having quite a lot of fastening {hardware} available helps to rapidly prototype designs. The screws I take advantage of essentially the most are course threaded screws that may thread into 3D printed plastic. I even have used threaded inserts and nice thread screws. Whereas you will get screw kits from Amazon, the standard wont be significantly good. Therefore I like to recommend getting them from McMaster-Carr.
Growth {Hardware}
I’ve stocked up on quite a lot of growth boards, modules and instruments to rapidly prototype concepts. The precise {hardware} that may be most helpful for you’ll rely upon the kind of initiatives you need to sort out. Listed here are some issues to bear in mind in your quest.
- Adafruit has a big choice of top of the range dev {hardware}. You cant go incorrect with these.
- Amazon has cheaper choices however watch out concerning the high quality as some may use faux parts.
- Don’t purchase authentic Arduino boards. The clones are a a lot better worth.
Under are some primary staples of my lab and a few attention-grabbing instruments I’ve discovered over time. I’ll do a extra detailed submit with all my really helpful growth {hardware} later.
ESP32-WROOM-32D Dev Board
Highly effective and low cost dev board with WiFi. Nice for common issues on account of low value and have set. Examine different Espressif merchandise for particular wants.
nRF52840 Feather Board
Finest for BLE growth. Discover different nordic merchandise as properly.
Nordic Energy Profiler 2
Nice instruments to measure energy consumption of low energy electronics.
Miscellaneous
Pc Workstation
Whereas a lot of the {hardware} work is finished on the lab bench, all of my programming work is finished on the pc workstation. It’s the excellent complement to the lab bench and permits me all of the room, display screen actual property and energy to check and program something I need.
The desktop PC is a customized constructed unit with first rate specs. It simply handles something I can throw at it. It has the next parts.
- Corsair 4000D Mid-Tower ATX Case (Amazon)
- Corsair RM750x 750 Watt Modular Energy Provide (Amazon)
- Ryzen 9 5900X CPU (Amazon)
- MSI B550 MS-7C91 Tomahawk Motherboard (Amazon)
- 64GB Corsair Vengence Dominator Platinum DDR4 Reminiscence (Amazon)
- Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD 2TB (Amazon)
- MSI GeForce RTX 3080 10GB GDRR6X GPU
- RTX 4080 is a a lot better deal right now (Amazon)
- Corsair H100i AIO Cooler
- Noctua NF-F12 Fan (Amazon)
- Excessive Acquire WiFi Bluetooth Antenna (Amazon)
The triple monitor setup simply cant be beat for each productiveness and leisure. Coupled with top quality peripherals, makes the setup very comfy and efficient. Following are issues that make up this setup.
- LG UltraGear QHD 27-Inch Gaming Monitor 27GL850-B (Amazon)
- Echogear Triple Monitor Stand (Amazon)
- Logitech MX Keys Keyboard (Amazon)
- Logitech MX Grasp 3 Mouse (Amazon)
- LTT Northern Mild Desk Pad 1000x400mm (Product Page)
- LTT 21oz Water Bottle (Product Page)
- Anker Charging Station (Amazon)
- Logitech C922 HD Webcam (Amazon)
- Artistic Pebble Desktop Audio system (Amazon)
- 12-Port Energy Strip (Amazon)
- Underneath Desk Cable Administration Tray (Amazon)
- Cable Administration Organizer Equipment (Amazon)
- Velcro Cable Ties (Amazon)
I take advantage of the next furnishings components for the setup.
- Alex Drawer Chest (Ikea)
- Gerton Desk Prime (Discontinued)
- Various Bekant Desk Prime 63×31″ (Ikea)
- Adil Desk Legs (Ikea)
- Steelcase Suppose Cloth Chair (Discontinued)
- Various Steelcase Sequence 2 Chair (Amazon)
More often than not, the desk appears to be like like this and is crammed with prototypes and components of the present undertaking I’m engaged on.
3D Printer
A 3D printer is a really helpful and highly effective device to have. Not solely can you employ it to optimize your lab however you can even prototype enclosures and mechanisms to your designs. There are too many choices on the market and the best choice for you’ll be primarily based on what’s it that you’re searching for. You may get cheaper models that may do primary printing properly and may require a bit extra consideration and care. Or you can go for increased finish models that simply work and require minimal tinkering.
I’ve discovered the Ender 3 Professional with some primary upgrades to be an incredible worth for cash and one of the best place to get began with. As soon as you are feeling such as you want a extra succesful printer as a result of it’s essential to print an engineering materials or print bigger amount, you may put money into the next finish mannequin.
Following are hyperlinks to the printer and really helpful improve components.
Conclusion
I hope this information will present some inspiration so that you can boost your setup. Let me know when you’ve got any questions. Please remark any suggestions for merchandise you’ve got discovered helpful across the lab.