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Ask Slashdot: What Equipment and Furniture For an Electronics Hardware Lab?

Posted by Soulskill on from the 100-gross-self-sealing-stem-bolts dept.

bartoku writes "Slashdot, what would you put in your dream electronics hardware lab? I am putting one together, and I'm looking for suggestions on everything from equipment to furniture. My aim is for a professional-grade setup, not just a hobby lab. The goal is to be able to test and debug modern electronic device prototypes. I would love to see money-is-no-objective suggestions alongside more economically practical solutions. Links or contacts for good distributors to acquire the equipment and furniture are also welcome. I'm also interested in commentary on renting versus buying new or used higher-end equipment to be economical and keep up with equipment that will become obsolete quickly."

3 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. erm... by crutchy · · Score: 5, Interesting

    money-is-no-objective suggestions

    - BlueGene/Q supercomputer
    - video wall
    - space shuttle (just in case you need some low-grav testing done)

    economically practical solutions

    - why the hell are you seeking advice from slashdot as to what to put in an "electronics hardware lab"? if you are serious about building a "professional-grade setup", a fair assumption would be that you are a professional electronics engineer and would have no difficulty rattling off the necessary equipment (such as oscilloscopes, soldering irons, power supplies, plenty of storage, etc).
    if you're merely after decorating ideas, i would suggest things that don't attract a lot of static electricity (so shag pile is out)

  2. I built mine as follows: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Oscilloscope.
    $800 OWON DS8102 2 channels with VERY deep sample memory
    $3600 Agilent DSO-X-3014A 4 channels 80 mHz can be upgraded to 200 MHZ with logic analyzer

    multimeter
    $113 Fluke 113
    $1350 Agilent 34410A

    Signal generator / arbitrary waveform generator
    $380 Rigol DG1022 2 arbitrary channels per generator I got 2
    Agilent Technologies 33250A- I didn't buy this but its the high end equivalent.

    Power supply
    $200 GPS3030D I have 2

    Soldering iron
    $50 Weller WLC100
    $610 MetCal MX-500S-11 I don't own this. Soldering is the weakest item for me at present.

    For a table I went big and cheap.
    4 Saw horses from loses
    1 4 foot by 8 foot by 1 inch piece of plywood
    4 4 foot by 2 foot conductive mats from 3m 98-0798-1202-4 $75 each

    If you are going all out having floor mats is a good idea too.

    Good luck

  3. Background? by Captain_Chaos · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I don't have any suggestions, but I am very curious about the background of this question. Could you elaborate a little? Why and for whom are you building this lab? Are you putting your own money into it, and if so, why is it worth so much money to you and why do you need such a high-tech lab? Just curious.