We discussed a new swappable panel idea in this threadThis weekend I tried to finally get a this new solution completely finished.
I did, and it worked, but not to my satisfaction, so I've given up the idea, and gone back to cables.
My goals were as follows
1. Create swappable panels that required no cables
2. Easy to install on the panel side for ease in the creation of multiple panels
3. Requires little maintenance
4. Very little explanation required to work the system
5. Robust & resistant to damage.
6. Cheap
Of those goals, I accomplished all but number 5. (and sort of number 3) Basically the system worked very well. Current, ground and button presses traveled from the screwheads to the leafs very well. I installed a system to keep the panel locked down with little effort. Using thin sheet metal & screws I was able to keep the system cheap and simple. On the panel side it was VERY simple & cheap. It would have required very little maintenance on the panel side, no adjustment on either side.
The major drawback was this... sometimes while inserting the panel into the cabinet, the leafs would slide under the screwheads and when the panel was removed, the leafs would get bent all out of whack. It took me a long time to set this up & install. Once I got the cabinet side installed correctly, the panels were pretty simple, but the ability to screw up the contacts when you remove the panel is pretty much a deal breaker. One of these solutions would be quite easy to create for a company... doing it in you garage, however, is a challenge.
Though, I'm officially giving up on this idea, I had fun trying it out. I'm still not happy with printer type connectors, but I think I will live with them for now.