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It ought to be fairly simple, but specifying the right workbench<\/a> for your application is something that requires thought and pre-planning if you want to maximize your time and labor. Minor differences in the type of bench can provide critical benefits that add up to major productivity gains over time. Benches aren’t the simple, static equipment many believe. Here are some traits to consider.<\/p>\n This is the critical first step: why does the bench exist?\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n A clear, flat surface is the basis for most workstations.<\/p>\n Ergonomic considerations will play heavily into this part of the decision making process.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sure, a larger benchtop might be optimal, but it\u2019s possible that your area won\u2019t support the footprint for it – front to back, side to side, floor-to-work surface. You have to have a work surface that\u2019s large enough for the intended operation. Packing a 18\u201d x 18\u201d box takes less space than tearing down a small engine, or assembling a complex component. Watch the process and understand the needed \u201celbow room\u201d for your operators. Even the feeling of a cramped area might be enough to hamper productivity. Bench tops are available in a large variety of standard sizes, and a near-infinite amount of custom sizes. Get enough space, but understand how much \u201cenough\u201d is.<\/p>\n The way product reaches the workbench can be critical in its dimensioning and design. Should workbenches in a progressive assembly operation be the same at each station? What layout configuration should be utilized, and how might that affect the type of workstation and where it\u2019s located? Can it integrate with conveyors?<\/p>\n You could spend (literally) a month researching this topic. There are simple storage components that plug into a broad variety of benches, and each might be useful in different ways. Some operations need no storage at all, just an economical workbench top for inspections or basic sort operations. Some require a large amount of highly specific storage, such as packaging operations where the availability of supplies at hand plays a major role in productivity. If space is tight, overhead storage can become critically important.<\/p>\n There are endless variations, from hardwoods to ESD to laminated to steel tops. Each will provide a slightly different experience, longevity, and functionality. Stainless steel tops are ideal for food handling or for any operation where corrosion is an issue. Steel tops are extremely durable and relatively inexpensive, but should not be utilized in moisture applications. Hardwood tops are very durable, very flexible but tend to be more expensive. Laminate tops are less expensive and extremely useful, but sometimes cannot handle heavy applications the way steel or wood can.<\/p>\n See Workbench Tops: Which is Best for Your Application?<\/em><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Often an afterthought, the way a workstation is lit can be crucially important to the usefulness and functionality of a given workbench. In industrial applications, a typical facility\u2019s lighting may be inadequate for assembly or inspection work. Most workstations offer lighting options that allow isolated, clear illumination directly onto the workbench surface. For quality control, packing, or inspection, lighting should be a top priority.<\/p>\n This is usually a case of what\u2019s available in the footprint your workbenches will occupy. For lighting, for tools, and for machinery, having power at the bench is highly useful. Most workbenches have options for power strips, direct wiring, and air supply. It\u2019s a top consideration for benches where a balancer or other tools are needed.<\/p>\n Musculoskeletal disorders can develop when workers lean, stoop, twist, or reach. These postures also reduce productivity.<\/p>\n The ability to accessorize a bench, either when you buy it or later can pay dividends. Ask your provider whether the accessories can be added after the fact. Risers, drawers, tool balancers, lighting, computer arms, bins, ESD kits, shelves, and specialized storage such as paper rolls & carton shelves are all available to allow you to turn a simple flat workbench into a defined-use workstation as needs arise.<\/p>\n It ought to be fairly simple, but specifying the right workbench for your application is something that requires thought and pre-planning if you want to maximize your time and labor. Minor differences in the type of bench can provide critical benefits that add up to major productivity gains over time. Benches aren’t the simple, static […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[232,19,278,251,231],"series":[],"class_list":["post-552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-industrial-shelving","tag-ergonomics","tag-warehousing","tag-work-bench","tag-workbenches","tag-workstations"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2027-04-12 16:24:51","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=552"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/552\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":569,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/552\/revisions\/569"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=552"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n![\"technical](\"https:\/\/www.cisco-eagle.com\/storage\/shopequipment\/Proline\/Basics-Workstation-Category.jpg\")
Application: know how you’ll use the bench<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n
Consider the space you have to work with<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How does the workbench relate to the operation?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What storage do you need?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
How about worksurface?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Let there be light<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Powering the operation<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ergonomics<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Be wise, accessorize<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Specialized benches available include:<\/h4>\n
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