I Like the rotating panel idea as I did one myself years ago--I think automating it is going to make a complicated projected even harder and also add a whole lot of unnecessary width to the cabinet or really eat into the underside of the control panel if you decide to keep the sides flush with the cabinet sides.
It's certainly made this project a lot more complicated that's for sure. I guess I just needed a challenge and motorising the rotating monitor just wasn't enough for me
I've taken some pics of how the CP unit sits in the cab, to give a better idea of overall look. Yes, it does move the monitor back/up a little, but I don't think its too far. I've tried to minimise the boxy look by having a circular front plate to cover the hidden control panels (missing in these pics).
As you can see from the top view, there is a static 6cm ledge each side of the rotating unit. I am planning on hiding this "join" somewhat with strategically placed artwork, or I may put El wire along the sides where the joins are so that they illuminate the plexi on the CP top. I ideally wanted the whole width to rotate, but this is the trade off (either this or as you say, add width to the cabinet).
Here you can see how the unit sits in the cab. The steel frame will be mounted at an angle so that the front/bottom panel of the cab (with the coin door) doesn't stick out too much. I actually think I'll probably end up mounting the top 6mm ledges on each side of the panels to the steel frame itself, so the whole thing is then one unit that can easily be taken out in one piece.
Here's a shot of inside the cab, you can kind of see the angle the steel frame is mounted at, with enough room still for the coin mechs/door.
Finally here's a side on profile so you can see how compact I'm trying to keep it.
And while I don't want to discourage you from a cool project here's how experience played out on mine: I had panel 1 as my 2 player setup--it stayed that way probably 90% of the time. I had a driving panel that was used maybe 8% and the panel 3 was a lowly 2% of the time.
My thoughts are that I'm only doing this if I can get it fully automated. I don't want players to have to think about having to change panel, rotate the monitor depending on which game they choose - it needs to do it all automatically, and it needs to do it well (without hurting anyone!). I guess this is why I'm putting so much thought up-front before actually starting to build anything. Having had my previous cab up and running for 6 years the main thing I wanted was for 1 player games to have nice comfy centered controls. I hated playing stuff off to the left or right (I'd say 60% usage on my cab was single player games). I also wanted to keep the spinners and add a dedicated 4-way. So it was either this or a choice from a few almost-frankenpanel designs, and this won.
I used this one for my inspiration--although mine didn't come out as nice...
http://1uparcade.rmfx.com/
Aah great link - many thanks! That is one monster CP! Interesting and clever how he used the roller latches. I hadn't thought of that but I still think using magnets is the way to go. I just can't see a mechanical/lock system being secure enough for an arcade control panel (imagine a locked door - you can still rattle it a little). It needs to be rock-solid with no movement.