Optimizing R&D Efficiency in Oil Equipment and Services for testing labs of:
Weatherford
Optimizing R&D Efficiency in Oil Equipment and Services: How Furnisys Transforms Weatherford's Testing Labs
In the oil industry, particularly in oil equipment and services, research and development (R&D) play a critical role in ensuring that products and processes are reliable and efficient. Companies like Weatherford depend on advanced R&D to develop the next generation of drilling equipment, evaluation technologies, and solutions for oil production. A key component of their success is the efficient, organized, and ergonomic lab environments that support testing and product development. This is where Furnisys comes in—providing specialized furniture and system solutions that improve workflow and enhance precision in the lab. In this blog, we will explore how Furnisys products are integrated into Weatherford’s R&D facilities to enhance their testing and evaluation processes.
Complication: The Need for Specialized, Durable Furniture System and Layout
The nature of Weatherford’s work meant they required highly specialized equipment and configurations, including:
- Slicing machines, grinders, ovens, and furnaces for metal and rubber testing.
- Universal Testing Machines (UTM), climate chambers, and heat aging ovens for testing PCBs and other electronic components.
- Adequate storage, ESD protection, and ergonomic features to create a safe, clutter-free, and productive work environment.
Question: How Can Furnisys Optimize the R&D Environment?
The question was clear: how could Weatherford optimize their R&D space with configurable, durable, and efficient furniture and lab solutions? The answer lies in Furnisys’ tailor-made approach, providing high-quality products designed to meet the unique requirements of each R&D area.
Answer: Furnisys' Configurable Solutions for Weatherford’s R&D Lab
Furnisys successfully transformed Weatherford’s R&D environment by providing carefully designed and strategically placed furniture and equipment. Here’s how they did it:
1. Preparation Area (Shed Area): Streamlining Material Processing
In the preparation area, Furnisys’ Pro Workbench with an SS worktop and Base Cabinets provided a stable, durable surface for heavy equipment such as ovens and grinders. The Pro Workbench, capable of handling loads up to 1000kg, was essential for securely mounting two ovens and ensuring easy maintenance. The SS worktop ensured durability and easy cleaning.
Additional benefits: The ergonomic setup with ample storage allowed employees to maintain an organized workspace and efficient workflows, minimizing disruptions and enhancing overall productivity.
2. Rubber and Metal Testing Area: Ensuring Precise Material Analysis
In the rubber and metal testing area, Furnisys integrated Pro Workbenches with HPL and SS worktops, offering superior resistance to heat, chemicals, and wear. These materials were specifically chosen to withstand the harsh conditions of advanced material testing, ensuring that the surfaces remained durable and unaffected by high temperatures, corrosive substances, or frequent usage. Workbenches with these high-performance worktops supported critical equipment like FTIR Spectrometers and Differential Scanning Calorimeters, ensuring reliable and precise results during testing
The use of HPL and SS worktops is crucial for maintaining laboratory standards and ensuring the longevity of the workstation. Without these specialized surfaces, traditional worktops could deteriorate quickly under the exposure to heat or chemicals, leading to surface damage, contamination of test samples, and inaccurate test results. Furthermore, damaged worktops may pose safety risks to employees and increase maintenance costs over time, disrupting workflow and productivity.
Furnisys also focused on ergonomics, providing markerboards and tackboards for SOPs and instructions, ensuring employees could follow safety protocols and instructions with ease. The addition of Flexi Workstations and well-designed storage solutions fostered a comfortable, collaborative environment, further enhancing operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.
3. PCB Testing Area: Ensuring Reliability of Electronic Components
For the PCB testing area, Furnisys provided ESD-safe workstations, which are crucial for preventing electrostatic damage to sensitive electronic components. Electrostatic discharge, even at levels too low for humans to detect, can permanently damage or degrade delicate PCB components, leading to malfunctions or complete failure of the device. ESD-safe workstations mitigate this risk by providing surfaces and environments that dissipate static charges safely and effectively, ensuring the integrity of the components during assembly, testing, and repair processes.
Workbenches with specialized PLW worktops and Base Cabinets supported equipment like the Universal Testing Machine (UTM), crucial for testing the mechanical properties of PCBs. Additionally, the climate control chamber and heat aging oven simulated environmental stresses to ensure the durability and reliability of PCBs under extreme conditions. If ESD precautions are not taken, not only does the risk of component failure increase, but it can also result in costly rework, delays in production timelines, and compromised product quality, ultimately affecting end-user satisfaction and brand reputation.
Additional Accessories:
Furnisys also included essential accessories like pegboards, screwdriver holders, and privacy panels to ensure the workstations were equipped for every task, enhancing workspace organization and safety.
Additional Custom Features:
Footrests were added to the FTIR Spectrometer workbench, ensuring comfort for lab workers.
Heavy gauge footrests and rear support channels were incorporated into the UTM Preparation Table to provide ergonomic support during long testing hours.
Conclusion: A Seamless Integration of Efficiency and Precision
Furnisys played a pivotal role in transforming Weatherford’s R&D lab into a more organized, efficient, and ergonomic space. From specialized workstations and high-quality workbenches to storage solutions and additional accessories, Furnisys products addressed every aspect of the lab's design needs. The result is a state-of-the-art environment where Weatherford’s team can continue to conduct high-quality research and testing in the oil and gas industry.
