Design Idea - Expanding Modular Control Panel

[ironpoet]

I haven't had the time or resources to start building my system, so I've been spending my time designing the control panel.  I was inspired by the simple panel-switching design of weisshaupt's "Ghost in the Machine" (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=75411.0) and so I tried expanding on that idea even further.

My basic idea is that I wanted a control panel which was small most of the time (when only one person was playing), and I wanted it narrow enough to put pinball controls on the sides.  But I also wanted to the option to play four player games.  After all, "Gauntlet" is what inspired me to research building my own system.

Anyway, the result of all these requirements was this: the Expandable, Modular Control Panel!


The outside panel holders slide out like the leaves on a table:


The two holders are designed to slide together inside the main structure:


I admit this design is probably a bit of overkill, since I doubt I'd be switching panels all that often.  But I love the "wow" factor and it would be nice to have different play options and future expansion options!

I'd love to hear any feedback, comments, or suggestions people have about this design!  Thanks!

[Ginsu Victim]

While I agree with your use of the word OVERKILL, I say "why not?"
Go for it!

[ironpoet]

Heh.  Seriously.  But it was too crazy a design to not post about!

[weisshaupt]

I admit this design is probably a bit of overkill, since I doubt I'd be switching panels all that often.  But I love the "wow" factor and it would be nice to have different play options and future expansion options!

Overkill was the name of the Game on Ghost..  I like the idea (Ghost's major drawback is the size of the CP IMO)  I considered some sort of "fold up" arrangement at one point, but abandoned that idea early knowing it was beyond my ability to implement cleanly.. If you think you can do it, I say go for it.


 

[ahofle]

Pretty nifty design you have there.
On the top flaps...it appears those fold over and sit on top of the controls?  Depending on the thickness of that flap I would think that might interfere with using the controls?  For example it looks like it would dig into your wrists if you rested your hand slightly below the joystick.  Or you would slam your fingers into the upper flap if you put a trackball in there.  Maybe if they were a thin material like metal?  I'm curious to see where this goes!

[patrickl]

Cool, a Transformer CP. 

I was wondering about the flap going over the modular plates too.

You will need to achieve really minute tolerances to pull this off. Otherwise the sides might start wobbling.

[Ginsu Victim]

ahofle:
I thought the same.

[ironpoet]

Pretty nifty design you have there.
On the top flaps...it appears those fold over and sit on top of the controls?  Depending on the thickness of that flap I would think that might interfere with using the controls?  For example it looks like it would dig into your wrists if you rested your hand slightly below the joystick.  Or you would slam your fingers into the upper flap if you put a trackball in there.  Maybe if they were a thin material like metal?  I'm curious to see where this goes!

Well, this was really just a first pass on the design, so the length of each panel could certainly be increased.  There's about nine inches of space for the controls between the two flaps, but it doesn't hurt the design to extend the control panel out more (enough so that the back flap wouldn't a problem).

As for the front flap, that may be a concern.  I had considered adding some sort of (unresearched) covering, so that it could act as a sort of ergonomic rest for players wrists.  At the very least I would round the edges, although I don't know how to do that easily in Google Sketchup.

On the other hand, I wonder if the front flap would even be necessary if the panel fasteners (either velcro or magnetic strips) were strong enough...

[ironpoet]

You will need to achieve really minute tolerances to pull this off. Otherwise the sides might start wobbling.

That was one thing I was worried about, since I don't have any experience building table leaves.  I was considering the possibility of some kind of drawer sliders.  I have some drawers from IKEA which don't have any wobble in them, no matter which way you pull them.  But I haven't heard of anyone using pull out drawers except for hidden keyboards, so I don't know how sturdy they are.

[DrFrag]

This is cool. 

I toyed with this idea last year but with using fold-out control panels.  No matter how I tried arranging it, I always ran into at least one big problem.  The components either colided inside, the fold-out section did not have enough structural integrity to be played on, or it looked really ugly with blatant attachment zones.

It looks like you've solved the problem of coliding components (although the wiring is going to be slightly tricker).  As long as you can make it sturdy enough to be played on, I think you're on to a winner.

I would go for metal drawer runners rated for heavy loads, and possibly rare-earth magnets for the folding sections.  They're fairly cheap on Ebay, and seem to be pretty effective.  Clips and locks are going to complicate things fast.

Overall, I don't think your design can be simplified much further. 

[stan2323]

I was considering the possibility of some kind of drawer sliders.  I have some drawers from IKEA which don't have any wobble in them, no matter which way you pull them.  But I haven't heard of anyone using pull out drawers except for hidden keyboards, so I don't know how sturdy they are.

http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=129-971&search=Hardware Drawer Slides - Ball Bearing Box Drawer

I used these a few times for other projects.  They are very strong and very little wobble.  They ones I got were the 100 lb pair.  I would think they would be good for what you want but the company has stronger one but they are more expensive.  You can get them in what ever length you need. 

http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=128-501&search=Hardware Drawer Slides - Ball Bearing Box Drawer

[Lilwolf]

I like the idea.  But it would ahve to be super sturdy... which I would have questions about... unless you souped it up.

But consider this.  why modulize the box on the side?  You coudl just have a modular plugin on the side that you attach... And add to that?  It should be much sturdier to just clamp something on, then to transform it.

but the coolness factor would make it... useable or not.

[javeryh]

Go for it!!  I'd love to see someone give it a shot. 

Of course, you should motorize the entire thing and have it automatically expand to the 4 player configuration when a 4 player game is selected from the front end.  You could even  have a voice tell you to "install the trackball panel" or something completely ridiculous. 

[NickG]

You could inset the top flaps or slightly raise the control modules to that the are flush, mating them with 45° angles or rabbeting.

[u_rebelscum]

You could inset the top flaps or slightly raise the control modules to that the are flush, mating them with 45° angles or rabbeting.

That was my thought.  3/8" flaps and the modules routed 3/8" so the flaps will end up flush with the top of the modules.  Or leave the flaps 3/4", but raise the modules on feet to go under the flaps, something like _|-----|_ except the "---" flush with the top of the "|"s.

[ironpoet]

You could inset the top flaps or slightly raise the control modules to that the are flush, mating them with 45° angles or rabbeting.

That's an excellent idea.  It would also allow me to raise the modules up and leave a bit more room for deeper controls.  I'm not sure how far down a rotary joystick hangs, for example.

[ironpoet]

http://www.woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=129-971&search=Hardware Drawer Slides - Ball Bearing Box Drawer

I used these a few times for other projects.  They are very strong and very little wobble.  They ones I got were the 100 lb pair.  I would think they would be good for what you want but the company has stronger one but they are more expensive.  You can get them in what ever length you need. 

Thanks for the link!  If I can work out a design using drawer slides, that should make the design a lot more reliable.  Those 14-inch slides might be a bit long, though, since I'd like the default size to be less than 28-inches.  I suppose I could offset the slides, though...

[stan2323]

Thanks for the link!  If I can work out a design using drawer slides, that should make the design a lot more reliable.  Those 14-inch slides might be a bit long, though, since I'd like the default size to be less than 28-inches.  I suppose I could offset the slides, though...

Here are some 12''s.
 
http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=115-187&search=Hardware Drawer Slides - Ball Bearing Box Drawer

And some 10''s.

http://woodworker.com/cgi-bin/FULLPRES.exe?PARTNUM=905-025&CARTID=200804165665026079--1

[telengard]

Nice design!

Just make sure those edges holding down the modules is rock solid.  I speak from experience.   

~telengard