A Welding Workstation (Industrial Design project, need your input!)

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Hey guys,This is my first post, so I'll give you guys a bit of information about myself. My name is Jon and I'm a junior studying Industrial Design at the University of Cincinnati. Industrial design pretty much just means product design, we work on projects from medical devices to cars to furniture. Our project this quarter is to create a workstation. Meaning it could be a kitchen or an auto mechanic or a woodworker, some sort of bench or space where people do specialized work.I chose to do a welding workstation for a few reasons. Firstly, I don't know how to weld very well. Our shop teacher gave us a half-arsed presentation on using the wire-fed MIG and we did some crappy welds, but I'm still intimidated by the whole process. So, I wanted to use this project as an excuse to learn more about it (I have a lot of hobbies that could benefit from welding competence).Part of my goal is to make the whole process seem less intimidating, as well as trying to make it safer. For right now I am in the research phase and I have some things I need to figure out.1. Should I make this a product for consumer or professional use? Obviously the quality and the price are affected by this decision, as well as the overall design and intended use. Right now I'm leaning more towards a professional station. My professor wants this design to be intended for 5 years in the future, so it can be more conceptual and "pie in the sky".2. What new features would you be interested in seeing? A few ideas I've been tossing around includes an integrated clamping systems, integrated exhausting systems, and fold-away solutions.I am in the process of doing more research and compiling a survey, which I will post soon. Just wanted to see if I can get a dialog started to help point me in a good direction.Thanks guys, I look forward to hearing what you think.
Reply:The basics of any workstation should be about human factors, making it easy to use.   Things should be in easy reach, for example.  Adjustability is a good thing, so that both short and tall people can use it, or use it sitting or standing.  Also, you want it so you can change out elements without having to rebuild the workstation.  (Example, changing welders)  That goes to the future.  Unistrut is a nice material if you need adjustability and reconfigurability.You should probably do a little research on biomechanics and human factors.An exhausting system is pretty basic in today's world, so build an air plenum behind the benchtop with slots to suck air away from you and into the plenum.Space is a big issue in my shop, so I would be tempted to have a welding power supply on each side, under the benchtop, which would put a gun on each side of the workstation.  If need be, I would hang an additional power supply above the bench.  Maybe a drawer or two for storage of various tools  and accessories.  Perhaps a holder for welding rods (TIG and/or stick), maybe hanging off the side.Hard to build a clamping function into a workstation, since clamping changes with each job.Obviously you would need a couple of 110VAC outlets.   The welders should plug into the wall, not the bench, in my view.  Consider a compressed air outlet, and perhaps a shop vacuum for cleanup.My two cents.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Welcome,  jpanichellaFor clamping and fixturing ideas you may want to take a look at the Strong Hand BuildPro tables http://www.stronghandtools.com/ or the Bluco http://www.bluco.com/ line as well. The adaptability of those designs give them the flexibility to be used for small intricate work as well as large bulky fabrication projects.If you search this site for workbench topics you will also see some creative ideas that people have built into their own tables.Ken
Reply:Thanks to both of you guys for your suggestions. I already had some product literature for strong hand tables, but thanks for the heads up on the bluco products. Their system looks remarkably thorough.