Shop planning with CAD

[DennisCA]

This summer when my milling machine project is hopefully completed I want to completely remake my shop and assign more space to metalworking than how I got it now. The metal working area is currently the small area to the bottom right (1st picture), It will not be enough for the vision I have got of my shop. I will want to put in a small surface planer some day and a workbench that I can house a 630x400mm surface plate on.

I will separate the shop int two separate areas, either with a sliding door that goes into the wall, or with heavy plastic drapes.

Models don't look like what I really got for most part, but I've measured all my stuff so they are pretty dimensionally accurate with regards to the footprint they take up. Do you guys have any input on this? Like I am wondering if it's good idea to put all my machines against the walls, would the milling machine perhaps be better in the center of the room (assuming it would fit there).

Here, moved it to the middle of the room:

Since it is a Deckel it is operated from the side rather than in front, so I think it could work as well against the wall as long as the sliding head have clearance. In this configuration the welding table near the big door might be a bit cramped, but all these small benches are mobile and can be moved around the shop as is needed.

 

[Tangledfeet]

That's brilliant - what software did you use @Dennis Aspö ?

 

[500e]

Prefer the original layout, other than I would move lathe further right to allow for longer bar through head stock, & swap cabinets around it looks that the short one is below spindle height.
Did the last layout on mine with graph paper & scale cut outs of machines then changed machines

 

[DennisCA]

That's brilliant - what software did you use @Dennis Aspö ?

Thanks, it's Fusion 360, free software license for hobbyists

 

[Olderisbetter]

Very nice software and a great workshop,

 

[DennisCA]

Thanks, currently it looks like this, moved the lathe around so I have move access behind the headstock. I dunno if it's better or not to put it so it's 90 degrees to the wall, I feel that robs more space but I have access to the rear of the lathe for seeing to the gear box.

 

[500e]

Looking good

 

[jimi_boom]

This is just a suggestion and I don't know how feasible this is with your workshop space.

However when I have ran Kaizen events to improve workflow through production lines and had to plan new cells I have found that carboard templates are a massive help. We would always start with a plan like you have already put together but then physically lay it out so that you can walk around the physical spaces and determine if you have enough room.

You would be surprised how many times it highlights an issue.

As its your own workshop you only have yourself to please but maybe worth considering.

 

[DennisCA]

Sounds a bit difficult to do unless the space is already empty?

Someone else suggested a different layout. Three divisions (probably drapes and not doors), middle one for welding/grinding and other stuff. Moving dusty woodworking further from the metalworking machines. Does seem to use space more optimally...

 

[jimi_boom]

I agree it would need to be empty to be able to do it hence my comment about feasible .

As its your own shop it only has to work for you as well so as long as your happy with it that's all that matters

 

[DennisCA]

Here's an update after going into hibernation. I wanted to complete the renovation of my FP2 to the point that all major parts were reattached again.

I had decided on this layout, with the lathe and mill standing next to each other in this fashion. I had to move the lathe anyway to get access to the back in order to service the gear box, now it will always be readily accessible. Last night I had a big move and reorganization. I still have plenty of work to do left though.

Starting by getting as much outside as possible.

Shop crane is indispensible.

Also given that the FP2 is operated from the side this setup made sense to me. I have considered connecting the lathe to the FP2 electrical box to reduce the amount of cables being run across the floor.

Everything is still a bit messy. I am going to remove the lower lumber racks to the right above the woodworking bench, to the right is what I will turn into a cabinet for the kinds of off-cuts I am storing in the rack right now. Most of the tool walls will need to be reorganized, and a partial wall will come up to separate the woodworking and metal sections.

 

[Jim Davey]

Looks way more slick than this drawing I did recently...

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Firstly, I envy you the space you have available for all your 'toys'.

My only [possibly wrong] observation re having the mill in the middle of the floor and beside the lathe etc would be the distance the 'shrapnel' from operations might travel - necessitating more clean up?

 

[DennisCA]

I am thinking of some kind of guarding system but have nothing concrete planned, like some kind of polycarbonate shield one can put up to contain the worst. First priority is to guard the X and Z axises on the mill itself though. I've also considered using active dust collection as much as possible.