Again with Modular Panels

[coasternuts]

Long time reader first time poster here.

I have researched the many different ideas for modular panels and I'm curious if the panel clamps from Happs are truly for modular cp, or will the springs wear out in a very short time.  Meaning, will the panels wiggle due to "moderate" usage?

Also, I thought of designing my cp to have a boxed bottom liked a complete X-Arcade for example and then having a box frame in the cab that the panel just drops into.  What are peoples thoughts on this?

Thanks.
-coasternuts

[neuromancer]

"Modular" usually means having a variety of componets that can be assembled to make up a control panel in any number of different configurations.

It sounds like you are considering swapable panels maybe?

The advantage to making a closed box would be that you could pull it off and use it somewhere else easily, like taking it to a friends house.

The disadvantage would be that it will occupy more volume -- that might not be a problem, depending on the cabinet and what else is in it... I think you'd be more like to run into issues if you wanted deep components like a rotary joystick, and if you also had a coin door.

If you were going to make modular panels, then housing each component in it's own box would use up a lot of space.

Bob

[RacerX]

Those panel clamps are not spring loaded.  There's nothing to wear out.

[Xiaou2]

Wrong.

  Happs panel clamps do use a metal spring locker to add awesomely strong pressure clamping.  (if installed correctly - you need to make sure to make sure there is the correct distance for optimal spring tention.   If you have a happs panel clamp and didnt know it was spring loaded... look at the side of the clamp.  You will see where the metal bar that goes thru the side... the hole in the side, is ovular.  This is too allow the pressure to slide the entire bar back/forth along that oval hole... else it would just use a small circle hole as a pivot)

 The clamps are very strong... stronger than anything else Ive seen.  They are built tough and will last a long time.  I used to work in an arcade - and never noticed any reduced tention on the clamps - even on the very old machines (with original latches!).

 When installed correctly, (do a test on another box of some sort to get the correct distances)  there will be no wiggle, slop ..ect.  

[coasternuts]

Would you suggest using them in swapable
panels?  

I'm designing and I want to know if building
a heavy box that drops in place is better/worse than
panels with clamps.

Or perhaps I should get over it and use both.

 

[nipsmg]

Would you suggest using them in swapable
panels?  

I'm designing and I want to know if building
a heavy box that drops in place is better/worse than
panels with clamps.

Or perhaps I should get over it and use both.

 

I built the large heavy box that's attached with screws that go through the bottom of the box, and through L-Brackets that are attached to the inside of the cabinet case, that are then fastened w/ wingnuts from underneath.  It works well, but the panel clamps would probably have worked better. :-/