artwork/mounting for modular panels

[l8nite]

I've started building my cabinet!  I haven't actually got to building the control panel yet, but I'm coming up on it quickly (and all my buttons arrived today).

I've been dreaming up mounting ideas for my modular panel and whatnot, but I usually come back to pretty much what doc did for his.  The only thing is, I don't have a monitor bezel to put the back lip under.  I assume the only force this helps prevent is when you're pulling back on a joystick or rolling down on a trackball.  Do you really put enough pressure to lift the back of the board up?  I might end up moving the dowels on the back rail sideways and have the control module push into them and then rest on a rail that goes across.

Also, regarding artwork... I've come up with a few basic design sketches that I like (which would work with swapping), but I'm wondering about actually applying it to the control panel modules.  Should I stick with the 5/8" MDF and then put art + lexan on top?  Will the edges of the lexan look completely crap?

Is printed vinyl a viable solution?  I tend to have sweaty palms, will the vinyl hold up to the moisture and movement of playing?  Can you get laminate custom-made with artwork? etc..

Thanks in advance!
Shaun

[paigeoliver]

As far as pressure., some of my friends play with enough force to shake upright cabinets, and to downright move cocktails, so a bolted down control panel is a must.

[Minwah]

As far as pressure., some of my friends play with enough force to shake upright cabinets, and to downright move cocktails, so a bolted down control panel is a must.

I've noticed this also particularly when using T-Stik's which are pretty heavy sticks...

[NoOne=NBA=]

I played with a bunch of options on my modular panel, and decided on a bolt-on system.

As far as artwork goes, you can get a mylar (polyester) overlaminate on top of the vinyl that will protect the artwork without adding a thick overlay on top of it.
It comes in varying thicknesses from .001"-.007", is relatively scratch resistant, and very moisture/chemical resistant.
Printed vinyl itself will hold up to moisture, but will show wear from rubbing while playing.

The other, more expensive option, is to find someone in your area that can backprint .010" Lexan.
That's how alot of the classic CP's were done.
If you call around to sign shops, and find someone with a Gerber Edge, they should be able to do it for you.
The limit on those prints is 11-1/2" wide though.
You might want to keep that in mind while designing it.
The nice thing though is that they can also do a custom cut for you--either perimeter only (where you cut holes through it to match your CP), or a full cut INCLUDING the holes.

Here's a shot from one of my swappable panels I did with Lexan.
Space Duel CP

[IncrdblHulk7]

I am building a modualr panel as well.  I plan on doing something similar to your mounting idea.  

I got inspired by Doc's mounting system.  But, rather than have the back dowel rail - I was going to make a slot on the back of CP for the 3/4" panels to "snuggly" fit into, with dowel rods either horizontal or vertical to align them.    

For the front side, I hope to get away with using cabinet locks on front of each panel.  Hopefully that will give me enough support.  I will let you know how it turns out.

[l8nite]

Thanks for the great tips so far!  NoOne=NBA=, is that backprinted lexan really only 1/100th of an inch thick?  If so, that sounds like a great option for me.

Regarding mounting, I found these double-catch cabinet roller latches at Home Depot yesterday for $0.69, and they're pretty damn strong.  Seems like 2 per panel on either side would hold these things down magnificently.  Gonna do a test join on a board for them this weekend.

I'm still concerned about how to lift out panels that don't have joysticks on them.  My initial tendency is to make one of the spacer panels have a handle of sorts on either side, so that you could pull that out and then reach around and push up on the other panel bottoms.   For you guys with bolt-on systems, does that mean your bolts are always visible on the back or front edge of the panel?  Anyone have pictures?

Thanks again!
Shaun

[NoOne=NBA=]

NoOne=NBA=, is that backprinted lexan really only 1/100th of an inch thick?

Yes, it's only 1/100th.

And Yes, my bolts always show on the modules.
It didn't really bother me to have visible hardware, and it was easier to retrofit to my existing cabinet than a hidden hardware system.

[neuromancer]

I'm going to print mine on paper, and take it to a print shop that will laminate it with matt plastic on top and self sticky on the back and just stick it down. It has the feel of panels like Gauntlet.

Bob

[mahuti]

There might be a way that you could use clamps to keep your modules on.