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SPECIAL FEATURE: Choosing the Proper Workbench or Workstation
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
By James Anderson and Ron Santoro, product managers, Lista International
On the surface, you might think that purchasing a workbench or workstation is a relatively simple proposition. Your employees have work to do, and they need an efficient, comfortable, and practical place in which to do it. But before you can be sure that you are getting the correct workbench, you need to perform some upfront work yourself. There are, in fact, many variables to consider. This feature offers a step-by-step approach to selecting the correct workbench for all your needs.
What Are You Doing?The answer must factor in all considerations such as the size of the workbench, surface material, storage requirements, and ergonomic considerations. Several factors determine workbench size. First, how much space (footprint) is available in the work environment? With current modular workbenches making maximum use of cubic volume, you may not need as big a workbench as you think. Next, how much work-surface area does your application demand, both in terms of width (left to right) and depth (front to back)?
At this point, you should also consider if the workspace, the work being done, and your company's particular type of workflow are best served by a group of workstations arranged in a particular configuration. Some companies offer modular workstations that are designed specifically to accommodate different configurations, and thus different types of workflow. There also are plenty of options for storage, both above and below the work surface. With careful planning, you should be able to get a workstation that addresses your storage needs exactly with little or no wasted space.
Seeing the LightAs mentioned, determining the lighting needs of your workbench tasks is an important consideration. Does each station need separate lighting? Does the room itself have lighting deficiencies? Does the room light cast an unwanted color? If you decide you need to equip your workbenches with lighting accessories, does overhead fluorescent lighting or a swing arm that can be positioned or moved out of the way when not needed best serve your technicians? Do you need an accessory that can diffuse the light and reduce glare?
After weighing your lighting needs and options, you should move on to electrical requirements. From cleanrooms to quality control departments to R&D, having a convenient source of power at each workbench can be essential. There are diverse options to consider, such as power beams, air beams, air supply brackets, and cable management accessories. You can narrow your selections down to a necessary few by asking the right questions. First consider the applications. Will each workbench be home to a computer monitor and other computer equipment? Do you need a data beam? Will the tasks at hand require compressed air, and what is the source of that air? How many outlets do you need at each workbench (and how much power)? Do you require a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to provide protection against severe shock and electrocution? You should also consider cord management from an aesthetic point of view and a safety factor. To keep power cords from becoming tripwires, cable trays may be needed.
Other Accessories No matter what the task, there are accessory options to help get the job done. By taking advantage of the abundant vertical space above the work surface, and the interchangeable accessory options available, you can create a highly efficient work center. Picking the right accessories comes down to one question, "What jobs are being performed in this workspace?" As long as you consider the needs inherent to each job, you are certain to be satisfied with the final accessorized result.
A Stress-free DecisionIt is essential to consider ergonomics as both a safety and productivity issue. To minimize stress and strain, a 30.5" work-surface height will accommodate nearly all workers when they are sitting. When standing, the optimal work-surface height can depend on the type of work being be performed — from precision work, which requires a higher work surface, to heavier work, requiring a lower work surface
What if different shifts are using the same bench? What if different tasks are being performed on the same bench? If these variables come into play, you may want to consider an adjustable-height workstation. With such a bench, users can adjust the height by turning a crank, using a motor drive, or using a slide leg. In these situations, the work surface can range in height from about 25" and 41".
A Complete Solution Your company most likely has multiple departments — from manufacturing to testing to shipping beyond. Using a common workbench platform throughout your facility has many benefits from better utilization of inventory to easier reconfiguration to interchangeability of accessories and aesthetic appeal. When you standardize in this way, accessories can be swapped between departments, colors and designs match, and there are no surprises when employees shift to a different department.
Conclusion Perhaps you would rather not sort these issues out yourself. If this is the case, choose a workbench provider who offers design-planning assistance to guide you through the process and advise you of the most appropriate choices. Free services such as surveys and CAD drawings can ease the process. Consider working with a workbench provider that offers maximum a full range of products and flexibility. View all workbenches as part of a complete picture, although each has been custom-built to accomplish a unique task.
James Anderson and Ron Santoro are product managers for Lista International. For more information, contact (508) 429-1350.