Hi all.
Over the past couple of years I have been re-tooling my small business to function from home. This is a business that started with a number of huge CNC milling machines and a crew of people. As we grew, the business opportunities seemed more promising in electronics. So I spun off the CNC operation and started designing electronics. The original re-tool concept was that I would mainly design mechanics and electronics at a single desk from my house. That grew to needing a workbench to do some prototyping and testing. Then I needed a shelf, then a tool box, then a stencil printer, SMT oven, laser engraver, pick-and-place assembly machine, more shelves........
About 8 months ago, I need a new scope. I had been looking at new ones for a few months, but got a major break. I won the Keysight Technologies 'Test To Impress' contest and the prize was an MSOX-6000 6Ghz scope with all available options! amazing. The money I was planning to invest in a scope was re-allocated to build a new multi-purpose design-manufacturing room out of my garage. The goal is simple: Create the most productive manufacturing space per square foot the world has ever seen.
I am the sole employee, so everything is on me. If the computer breaks - I have to fix it. If the solder runs out - I have to order it.
My current deliverable product has over 500 parts including CNC machined parts (I still machine them but hopefully not for long), PCB's, software, etc. Managing that process and keeping room for new products in the future is a monumental task for a single person.
I just made a video to show the beginning of the effort. Hope it is interesting to see the transition from hobbyist/maker to professional manufacturer that is my sole source of income.
https://youtu.be/6h-JJvWjEQg