Motorsport Composite Fundamentals: Setting Up Your Workspace

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Setting Up Your Workspace

08.32

00:00	Our workspace has a direct impact on the quality of the work we produce.
00:04	Having a clean and well thought out workspace is almost always going to lead to better finished products.
00:09	Or at the very least make it easier to achieve better results.
00:13	Everyone is going to have different circumstances leading to different size workshops, different tools and varying resources.
00:21	Chances are you'll be using the same space for your composite work that you do for other projects.
00:25	Even in the HPA workshop, which is a relatively large and professionally fitted out space, our dedicated composite area commonly ends up being used for other jobs.
00:36	It's easy to think that for those of us with a tight budget and space limitations, a module focused on how to layout the ideal composites workspace might be irrelevant.
00:46	But in any case, it's just as important for workflow and efficiency to carefully consider how to best utilize what we have.
00:53	The smaller our workshop, the more organized we'll need to be to get the same results.
00:58	Let's begin by considering the different stages of the construction of composite parts.
01:03	During a process we'll have multiple jobs that create a lot of dust, like building a pattern or cutting and sanding a cured part.
01:11	This can be a problem at the other stages, like during layup and lamination, when we want to be working in the cleanest space possible.
01:19	Airborne dust will contaminate our resin and wet layups, leading to compromises in the mechanical properties and aesthetics of the finished parts.
01:27	Ideally, dirty jobs can be done in an area of the workshop where we typically do fabrication work for our projects.
01:34	And we'll keep our composite construction area as dust free as possible to limit time cleaning between jobs.
01:41	A separate room is the ideal solution, but divider curtains are an alternative solution for a more open plan workshop.
01:48	The downside of separate workspaces is that in some cases, we need to double up on equipment.
01:54	Just something to keep in mind.
01:55	We'll leave the dirty fabrication spaces out of our further discussions and keep our focus on composite construction specific areas.
02:03	The central piece of our workspace will typically be a workbench.
02:06	It's helpful to have this centered so we can walk around our work and access it from each side.
02:11	This saves lifting and rotating longer heavy moulds.
02:15	A mobile workbench on caster wheels can also offer some more flexibility in the layout.
02:20	Metal bench tops tend to be the best choice as the chance of dripping resin on workspace surfaces is relatively high, especially when we're doing wet layups.
02:30	A steel or aluminium top will be much easier to clean with solvent.
02:33	The same risk goes for the floors.
02:36	I wouldn't recommend working with resins over carpets that you care about.
02:40	Generally, polished or epoxy coated concrete floors are going to be the hardest to damage and the easiest to clean.
02:46	The other most important feature in our workspace next to our bench, figuratively and literally, would be for the reinforcement material.
02:54	Composite material rollers allow us to store large rolls of reinforcement and also draw out material for use as needed.
03:01	Keeping material organized prevents it from being moved around and laid on surfaces so it stays in good condition.
03:08	Having these rollers alongside our bench means we can pull out material across the bench and cut it, keeping it flat to avoid pulling and snags.
03:16	The rollers can be on frames with caster wheels so they can be moved out of the way when not needed.
03:21	Or we can mount the rollers to the wall to keep more floor space clear if we're not so worried about the flexibility of the layout.
03:28	Another very important feature of our workspace isn't a fixture, it's our PPE, which is arguably not a part of the workspace itself and more so something that we need to use while we're in it.
03:39	What's important is that we have a space for our PPE that's as easy as possible to access, more so than any of the other tools or consumables.
03:49	Having PPE easily available at any stage will drastically reduce the temptation of not wearing it and this is going to be a game changer in preventing injuries or the cumulative effects of our hearing, skin or respiratory system.
04:03	If we've got an apron on the hook near the door, we can put it on as we walk in.
04:07	Nitrile gloves, glasses or goggles, respirators and air protection should all be stored in a common drawer that's easy to reach.
04:15	It's also imperative to have a fire extinguisher nearby should anything go really wrong.
04:20	Like any tools, PPE should be returned to their designated places after use so they don't go missing.
04:26	Not being able to find PPE isn't an excuse for not wearing it.
04:30	On the topic of respiratory protection, we need to discuss ventilation of the workspace.
04:35	And to be clear though, this isn't ever going to replace the need for a respirator or vice versa.
04:40	Ideally, we'd have a ventilation system that extracts fumes and dust from the workspace to avoid us breathing them in or contaminating our work.
04:49	This doesn't necessarily mean an expensive industrial setup.
04:53	There's options on the market that are basic and affordable if we're willing to spend some time and money getting it set up.
04:59	Alternatively, if that's just not on the cards for now, an open window or door coupled with a fan to promote some airflow goes a long way.
05:07	We just need to be careful we're not bringing in more possible contaminants than we're sending out.
05:12	We mentioned drawers briefly for storing our PPE and that won't be the only requirement for cabinetry in our workspace.
05:19	Whether that's drawers for our tools or cupboards or shelves for larger items.
05:23	We might even choose to hang some items on the wall and shadow boards where the outlines of tools are drawn is an easy way to know where they go and a commonly used solution for organizing tools like this.
05:34	Keeping similar tools together or those used in the same stage of a project is also a good idea.
05:40	For example brushes, rollers and dibbers or mixing containers, scales and mixing sticks.
05:46	The list goes on.
05:47	Refer back to the relevant module in the tools and consumables section if you're needing a refresher.
05:52	Past this, more bench space around the room is never a bad thing for jobs like weighing and mixing resins or cutting smaller sections of reinforcement.
06:01	Service trolleys or smaller roll cabs are also a handy way to keep things within reach for current jobs and a bench mount device can help free up a hand when needed.
06:11	At HPA our workshop has a combination of drawers and cupboards with waste bins under the benches and overhead cabinets as well as large standing cupboards to cover all the bases.
06:22	Other important factors that are easy to overlook are good lighting and compressed air.
06:26	Good lighting is even, easy on the eyes and bright enough to clearly see without straining but not too bright or harsh that we finish the day with a headache.
06:36	Compressed air powers some tools but it's also helpful in the demolding process as we've discussed in a previous module.
06:43	Likewise, the location of power points for corded tools and charges is worth keeping in mind.
06:48	Even some form of climate control can be a worthwhile addition to our workspace depending on our local weather.
06:55	Not only for our own comfort but also having consistent control over the ambient temperature is a big help when it comes to dealing with resin, adhesives and the curing process.
07:05	Before wrapping up I think it's important to note here that the ideal setup isn't always possible.
07:10	If the perfect setup just isn't an option for you don't let this be a deal breaker to prevent you from getting started in composite construction.
07:18	I assure you some of the world's most well-built cars are products of very small garages or even driveways.
07:24	There's always more achievable workshop alternatives that just come with some compromises in efficiency.
07:31	With that let's summarize the key points around setting up our workspace.
07:35	The first thing to consider is the separation of spaces for dirty and clean jobs.
07:39	We don't want to waste unnecessary time cleaning or risk contaminating our layups.
07:44	Another factor of utmost importance is keeping PPE easily accessible in order to reduce the temptation of going without.
07:52	Some of the key features of a good workspace are a central workbench and adjacent rollers for the reinforcement material.
07:58	Caster wheels on equipment also allows us to keep the layout flexible or we can mount items to the wall to free up floor space.
08:06	The sky's the limit for cabinetry and extra bent space.
08:09	More is usually better if we can manage it but there's always a point of diminishing returns.
08:15	Don't overlook good lighting, power sources, climate control and compressed air.
08:20	Anything that makes our lives easier is worth considering and could lead to better results or a more efficient process.
08:27	Or at the very least a more enjoyable one.