Setting up a Robot Lab
Why do you need a robot lab anyway? You can build a robot anywhere; under a tree, inside your room, or even on the street. But just like a kitchen is dedicated for cooking, robot lab is required, and should be dedicated for robot building.
Certainly you do not need to build Dexter’s laboratory (one of my favorite TV shows of all time :) for making robots. Use a spare room or if you do not have a spare room in your house, use your garage. But make sure the following things are taken care in your lab:
- The room has good lighting and ventilation (!!! Most important)
- All the equipments and tools arranged in an easy to reach location
- Set up a power line across your workspace with variable voltage regulators
- No carpet on the floor to avoid tiny components, solder waste and other junk getting stuck.
- All components arranged in a component box and placed within reach
- A comfortable chair or a stool
- Your junk box, a trash can and a first aid kit (must have)
- Preferably a fast computer for designing and programming
- if possible, a drawing board with a marker, and a notepad with a pen or pencil
- Strictly no drinking and smoking.
- Keep your robot, tools, parts away from reach of small children
- Make sure your robot or your lab is not disturbed when you are at work, or in your absence. Put a “Do Not Enter”. This gives you a geeky feel and also helps avoid any sort of disturbances from others. (Obviously, lock the door when you are out as the board may not stop miscreants from entering).
- A fire extinguisher is not actually required, but good to have one if you put your newest robot on fire.
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