What tool or technology do you reach for most often as an engineer?

Michael Wylie wrote:

 

I never realized how true this was. I'm only 32, and I cannot see small things easily anymore.

I can still see the small things, I've just got to the point that by the time they're at the right distance to be able to read the markings I can't focus on them. Large illuminated magnifier is the best thing I've ever bought

With you new engineering project, it will be interesting what is used more.....

The power supply image is indeed a mockery to all more or less serious power supplies..

The tools I use most often are power supply, scope, DMM. Where the DMM is most used at the start of a project, migrating smoothly to more scope usage.

Pen and paper make up the first 20% of each project; writing down ideas, doing rough calculations, writing down intermediate results.

Eyeballs are something I couldn't do without.

Connectors are a necessary evil, and when chosen right they are the icing on the cake, but they're not tools.

I never use breadboard, I do airwire soldering, and use copper tape to get good planes.

This poll is a bit weird, actually.

I never realized how true this was. I'm only 32, and I cannot see small things easily anymore.

Add glasses and a magnifying glass for us ... these are becoming necessary tools.

Mark

Being very literal about it I suppose the most commonly used tool is the bench power supply, I have at least 10 but the one I use most is Thurlby TS3021S - 0-30V, 2A, lcd digital meters for current and volts, when the output switch is in the off position the current meter shows the current limit setting.

I don't count the notebook as  a tool but I use one all the time, I use the PC a lot as well but that's pretty much universal so not interesting.

Between scope and DMM  - hard to say but if I had to give up one it would be the DMM because the scope can stand in better for it than it can for the scope (mind you the scope is useless as a continuity tester).

How about changing the power supply picture for a bench supply and then I'll vote for that

MK

Hey Guys--

I just noticed the poll wasn't working, so I made some changes. You should now be able to vote.

Thanks!

Sagar

I spend the most time with my CAD package - schematic capture and PCB layout. Design it right the first time, then everything else takes less time. Of course if it includes software, the equation changes...

Then I usually spend more time assembling with my stereoscopic microscope and soldering iron than I do toubleshooting. That said, a DVM is essential and a scope is needed for tougher problems.

However, the single most important tool that probably also occupies the most time is the internet, and it saves far far more time than it occupies - by many orders of magnitude.

For things you already know, you complete quickly - for things you don't know they are found on the internet.

I suspect your poll results would be quite different if the internet was on the list.

Paper and pencil is top of the list.

After that, I'd find it hard to choose between scope, soldering iron & multimeter.

The stuff you're missing are documentation like Datasheets, Errata, schematics, gerbers...

Hi Guys.

Given the interest in this topic, I've opened the poll for voting right away instead of waiting until Friday.

Hope you're all doing well!

Sagar