Dear Pro Tier members,
Some time ago I promised workshop update videos with a more specific focus. So here is a video showing key dimensions of our workshop, and dimensions of our machinery and the gaps between them (video link at the bottom).
I'm sharing this level of detail because I know it would have helped me when setting up our own space! Each time we bought a new piece of machinery, although we planned as best we could, there were a lot of unknowns about how it would really work in the space, distance to other machines, rear access space requirements etc.
Above is a general overview of our space. This should help to orient you in the video, which also contains many stills with dimensions such as gaps between machines drawn over them. I've added titles in the video so you can easily skip through to find areas of interest.
I also talk about how the use of space works for us, and possible future improvements.
In particular in this video I cover the CNC machine and surrounding area in some detail.
Lean Factory Flow
As a bit of background, and in case you didn't follow our workshop set up vlog series, we planned the layout of this space from scratch based on 'Lean' principles. We wanted a clear linear flow of parts from raw board coming into a rack as close as possible to the shutter, through progressive steps of processing as you move down the workshop towards the far shutter.
We broke this down into 2 streams - MDF (for painting), and solid wood panels would typically go from the rack onto the panelsaw then onto manual processing benches then the spray booth.
Melamine faced boards would go to the CNC then the edgebander, then in most cases straight down the corridor towards the assembly area or for loading straight into the fitter's van at the far shutter.
The early plans above were a way of exploring this flow of parts. I made these in 'Layout' - the presentation software that comes with SketchUp Pro - based on a plan drawn in SketchUp. The final setup changed a little as you'll see in the video, and continues to change!
Please do give me feedback if this information is as helpful to you as I hope it might be, and then I will know if it's worth me following up with a part 2 covering the workbenches, spray booth and the rest of the other end of the workshop. I'm anticipating particular interest in the spray room and drying room dimensions so do let me know if that's right.