[ELECTRON] Maklab Shopping List... Help needed....

Wed Feb 8 15:52:35 UTC 2012

Was having a read through the wiki and just wanted to ask about one thing.
 I will preface this with a warning coz I don't want to start one of
"those" debates, but is the choice of an iMac for workstations really the
right one?  Talking engineering/fabrication wise, there is very little
software for the mac, PCB design, SPICE programs, compatibility with test
equipment etc.  Of course you can dual boot but then why pay such a premium
for the box?  I realise these workstations are meant for other purposes as
well but even then, off the top of my head FinalCut is the only program you
can get on OSX that you can't get on other machines.

I could be completely barking up the wrong tree but I just thought I'd
raise the point and see what other people thought before money was spent.

Tom

DISCLOSURE- This opinion is influenced by this thread,
http://www.eevblog.com/forum/general-chat/imac-for-programming-and-electronic-work/

On Wed, Feb 8, 2012 at 1:12 PM, Roy Mohan Shearer <fy81le at googlemail.com>wrote:

> I have updated the Maklab wiki to reflect this conversation so far -
> feel free to edit and add links to specific items online.
>
> http://maklab.wikispot.org/Equipment#head-ea66e300fb15a86a7b8ba888495396424c43e246
> Roy
>
> On 8 February 2012 12:18, Roy Mohan Shearer <fy81le at googlemail.com> wrote:
> > Richard at maklab has told me:
> > "As with above if you could think on the basis of 4/5 everyday
> > workstations (mid range equipment) then 2 more advanced workstations
> > then this would be a great help. "
> > I think sharing certain things like multimeters/ power supplies would
> > be more efficient than one per workstation..
> >
> > On 6 February 2012 13:14, Martin McGrath <mcgrath.martin at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >> Interesting. Do you have any idea how many workstations are planned?
> >>
> >> Regarding some of the 'per workstation' items suggested such as rework
> >> tools, screwdriver sets, tweezers, would it be a better idea from a cost
> >> perspective to have a number of these items for general use rather than
> one
> >> per workstation? Just thinking about keeping the costs down and how many
> >> people would actually be wanting to use the same tool at the same time.
> >>
> >> Cheers
> >>
> >> Martin
> >>
> >> On 4 February 2012 15:32, Blair Thompson <mail at justblair.co.uk> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi All
> >>>
> >>> I think that many of you are aware that Bruce has been working hard to
> get
> >>> Maklab set up in Glasgow.
> >>>
> >>> If you have not heard of Maklab yet... from their own site
> >>> http://www.maklab.co.uk <http://www.maklab.co.uk/?**page_id=11<
> http://www.maklab.co.uk/?page_id=11>
> >>> >
> >>>
> >>> "Scotland's first community digital fabrication workshop, allowing YOU
> to
> >>> MAKE all kinds of physical things, to learn, and to share the knowledge
> >>> with others.
> >>>
> >>> As well as a resource for designers, engineers and makers, MAKLAB will
> act
> >>> as a community inventor's workshop, giving ordinary people the
> opportunity
> >>> to turn their ideas and concepts into a reality."
> >>>
> >>> Bruce managed to secure some funding and also space at the Lighthouse
> in
> >>> the city centre for the workshop.  So it looks like the place will be a
> >>> goer.  And here is where the electron club can assist.
> >>>
> >>> Bruce e-mailed me the other day to ask what fabrication equipment
> would be
> >>> usefull for those interested in electronics, reprap etc.  Ideally he
> would
> >>> like a detailed shopping list of items that we would want to use in the
> >>> Maklab.  I have my own ideas as to what would be good, but I have no
> doubt
> >>> that everyone will also have their own ideas.
> >>>
> >>> What springs to mind would be:
> >>>
> >>> *Per workstation:*  (Not sure
> >>> 1 Temperature controlled soldering iron, (preferrably with hot rework
> tool)
> >>> 1 Tip Cleaner
> >>> Selection of electrostatic safe tweezers
> >>> Picks
> >>> PCB vise
> >>> Magnifying Lamp
> >>> Current limited bench power supply
> >>> Solder spool holder
> >>> Screwdriver sets (precision, security bits and normal)
> >>> Decent Multimeter
> >>>
> >>> *Other Equipment:*
> >>> Digital storage oscilloscope
> >>> PCB milling machine (The Roland Modella seems popular and doubles up
> as a
> >>> 3d scanner)
> >>> Frequency Generator
> >>> Solder paste dispenser
> >>> Reflow oven
> >>> Stereo Microscope
> >>>
> >>> Can I suggest that everyone with an interest gets their wishlists
> >>> together.  I will collate them into one list and then we can try and
> >>> prioritise it as no doubt we will hit Bruces budget limits pretty
> quickly!
> >>>
> >>> Regards
> >>>
> >>> Blair
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