Main > Main Forum
Modular controls panel discussion
telengard:
--- Quote from: NoOne=NBA= on September 01, 2004, 07:51:20 pm ---I didn't build a whole cab out of Legos, but I did build a Tron handle with them awhile back.
Telengard,
Why are you holding the optic card in place with magnets?
I'm curious if it's to swap it out between modules, or just to keep it in place on a single module.
If it's just to keep it in place on a single module, I've had really good luck with the 3M foam tape.
I've used that almost exclusively on a bunch of "can I get this working" temporary projects that I've done recently.
I'm actually planning on using it PERMANENTLY to mount some of Oscar's boards to the Ivan Stewart's Off Road wheels I bought awhile back.
They used the curved Atari-style optic cards, and the mount for them works PERFECTLY if you foam tape an Oscar board to it.
--- End quote ---
It's sorta a long story. 2 years ago I bought a steering wheel assembly from Oscar (he doesn't carry these anymore). It required the use of a USB mouse hack which would be a pain to use w/ my OptiPac. So I ordered an encoder board from Oscar. Works great. The problem is the footprint is different from the original optics so the bracket that holds the optical board needed to be moved so that the wheel could reach the optics. I'm lazy so I've been using magnet tape to hold the bracket. I should *really* make another hole to attach the bracket with.
Are you planning on making a mold with your lego Tron stick? ;)
Doc-:
--- Quote from: l8nite on September 01, 2004, 06:14:04 am ---Anybody considered using magnets to secure the front portion?
Anybody considered using dowels or "edge slots" on the sides of their modules so that they can achieve a really snug fit and help secure the entire panel?
Has anybody built a modular 4-player panel?
These are a few deas I had while thinking through my panel design. I'm still looking at the best ways to do this and trying to come up with something easy to swap and nice to look at.
--- End quote ---
Magnets might work if they were very strong as a secondary connecter for joysticks. You would still need dowels or something in the front rail to prevent sliding side to side.
Edge slots or dowels would work fine, but might make it a lot harder to swap just one panel at a time. I frequently swap a single joystick or spinner out without touching the rest of the panel. I don't think they are really needed if you have a dowel system like mine or the screw down system that some others use.
I do have a friend building a 4 player modular system based on my design. He's started cutting wood for some of the panels - I will let you know how it turns out.
I think the artwork would work just fine - particularly if you printed it on sticky vinyl, and had a repeating pattern or pattern centered around the controls (arrows, starburst, etc). Unfortunately I have no artistic talent whatsoever. The only downside is that you would need to print quite a few panels (there is lots of area on a modular panel as you add more modules!).
ChadTower:
Isn't a really strong magnet that close to your PC and monitor a big giant no-no? ???
l8nite:
Well I was thinking of it more on the front of your CP, in which case it's far away enough that I doubt it would cause any interference. In either case, it seems the general consensus is that it wouldn't be as effective as a system which secured the board into place.
Hey Doc, if you're still following this discussion and your friend has any plans for his design on the 4-player cp I'd love to see them if he's willing. I plan to start cutting for my cabinet this weekend, so I'm trying to nail down (har har) some of the finer details of my design to figure out how much wood I'll have to buy.
Thanks,
Shaun
Doc-:
Shaun,
I believe he was planning something like mine, except that he obviously has a control panel that hangs over on both sides much like the common 4 player panels.
If I understand him correctly, he intends to make all four players modular. I believe the basic design is to use two rails under the panel (like mine) along with a monitor bezel piece that is extended to secure the rear edge of the panels. He then intends some rounded edges mounted permanently on the sides to form edges for the modular sections in the middle. The dowel rails and method for securing panels will be the same as the system I used, with the exception of the front dowel rail which will be a separate rail mounted at a slight angle to make it easier to drill all of the panel holes vertically.
Cheers!
Doc-