Imagine a meticulously designed workspace that not only fosters productivity but also prioritizes the needs of your entire lab.
This dream can become a reality by designing a work bench that not only stores your lab tools, but also optimizes workflow, enhances accessibility and boosts efficiency.
Here’s how to design the best bench for your lab tools, no matter if you’re a small research team or a large-scale industrial laboratory conducting cutting-edge experiments.
Laboratory tools and equipment span across a vast spectrum depending on your work environment. You may be in the
As a lab manager, your challenge lies in tailoring a bench design that not only accommodates but optimizes the usage of these lab tools. Here are some key questions to ask yourself when considering the type of lab bench needed for your specific set of lab tools:
Understanding the specific requirements and functionalities of different tools, whether it's the need for ample space for microscopes or a designated area for precise pipetting, guides the ergonomic layout and customization of the lab tool bench.
It is this understanding that empowers lab managers to tailor bench designs that not only meet the demands of their scientific studies but also elevate the efficiency and safety standards within their laboratories.
Certain design principles help ensure functionality, safety and seamless workflow. The art of designing an effective lab tool bench goes beyond aesthetics. It integrates ergonomic considerations, safety measures and organization techniques to create an environment that promotes scientific inquiry and innovation.
Here are three important design principles to keep in mind as you determine how to best organize your lab tools:
Adhering to these design principles helps elevate the efficacy and safety standards within the workspace, and are important to keep in mind as you design the best bench for your lab tools.
In the scientific community, the materials and construction you choose for your bench can help ensure durability,
When reviewing your choices for countertop materials, take into account the applications performed in your lab and how your lab tools can impact your work surface.
For example, in labs with basic assembly applications, butcher block countertops are often used. However, they are porous and can dent easily, making them not the ideal material for environments where heavy equipment is used or there is excessive water and moisture.
On the other hand, stainless steel is resistant to bacteria, rust and corrosion, as well as stain and heat resistant. This makes this material an ideal choice for laboratories where high heat and open flames are used.
For labs with harsh conditions, phenolic resin and epoxy resin hold up very well against chemicals, corrosion and moisture, though epoxy resin has a higher heat resistance.
For conditions where electrostatic discharge is a concern, ESD laminate helps protect expensive lab tools from damage that can occur.
Construction methods also play a pivotal role in ensuring the stability and durability of laboratory benches. Robust frameworks, reinforced joints and precision engineering techniques are employed to create benches capable of withstanding heavy lab tools and constant usage without compromising structural integrity.
If the lab tools you use are heavy, you may need to invest in heavy duty workbenches with higher weight load capacities. Our article, Heavy Duty Industrial Workbench Or Standard Workbench … Which One Should You Use?, explains the difference and offers advice on which type of workbench is best for your lab space.
Tailoring bench construction to specific laboratory needs involves customization options such as adjustable shelving or specialized attachments. These adaptations accommodate unique equipment requirements, spatial constraints or specialized workflows within the laboratory.
The best industrial furniture company will work with you to design an adjustable workbench with drawers that is tailored to your specific needs and adequately stores all of your lab tools.
Elements like full extension and heavy duty roller bearing slides are important to consider as well, as are security requirements and handle options. Shelves can be customized to match your load-bearing needs if you have heavy lab tools. Laminate shelving is able to hold up to 250 pounds when evenly distributed, while steel shelving can carry up to 300 pounds.
Other organization features to consider include:
To properly see your lab tools, under-shelf bulbs will brighten up spaces or above-head lighting can illuminate entire worktops. The placement of electrical strips, outlets, USB ports and emergency power sources can also be strategically placed on or around your workbench for a highly organized space for your tools.
Working with an experienced laboratory furniture manufacturer is important in ensuring the creation of functional, high-quality and tailored solutions that align with the diverse needs of your lab. Seasoned manufacturers bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise amassed through years of specialized experience.
They also possess a deep understanding of the intricate requirements and nuances involved in designing and constructing lab benches that cater to specific scientific disciplines.
Collaborating with an experienced manufacturer also offers the advantage of personalized customization, including features that optimize the use of your lab tools. These experts understand that each laboratory operates uniquely, with distinct tool requirements, space constraints and workflow demands.
Leveraging their expertise, they can tailor bench designs to accommodate specific instruments, optimize space utilization and integrate features that enhance accessibility and functionality. In other words, the partnership with a seasoned lab bench manufacturer isn’t just about creating furniture – it's a collaborative journey toward creating a workspace that boosts precision, reliability and innovation.