Author Topic: Mame console. (Read 17868 times)

Rock · « **Reply #40 on:** March 18, 2015, 10:08:45 pm »

Extended the wires. put the wiring cover in. It will be glued in and sanded flush after testing.

Rock · « **Reply #41 on:** March 21, 2015, 01:14:53 am »

Controls came in today.

Rock · « **Reply #42 on:** March 21, 2015, 01:17:03 am »

Testing LED wiring.

Rock · « **Reply #43 on:** March 22, 2015, 10:48:16 pm »

Starting the rotating control panel section. While this section is removable, I have chosen to build it in place just to make my life easier. Should it need to be removed for any reason in the future, it is a matter of removing the Mercotac and the 8 screws (4 per side) holding the axles.

Rock · « **Reply #44 on:** March 24, 2015, 10:40:38 pm »

Completed the rotating part today. It will not be much longer before I start putting in the controls. Another short video of the rotation was also posted on facebook.

Rock · « **Reply #45 on:** March 26, 2015, 07:23:53 pm »

Drilling and test fitting various buttons and joysticks before finishing surfaces.

Rock · « **Reply #46 on:** March 27, 2015, 01:33:07 am »

Test fitting controls on panel 2.

Rock · « **Reply #47 on:** March 31, 2015, 10:00:14 pm »

Starting the puttying, sanding, sealing, priming and painting. My least favorite part of the build so far.

Partial list of things left to do:
1. Monitor shelf and cover.
2. Control panel rotation lock.
3. Ventilation fans and dust filters.
4. Lights and marquee.
5. Speakers and grills.
6. External USB ports.
7. Order and install computer.

fmzip · « **Reply #48 on:** April 01, 2015, 09:08:10 am »

Very nice work!

You are the

of CLAMPS!

Rock · « **Reply #49 on:** April 01, 2015, 10:49:05 pm »

Quote from: fmzip on April 01, 2015, 09:08:10 am

Very nice work!

You are the of CLAMPS!

Thanks, and you can never have enough clamps. LOL!

Rock · « **Reply #50 on:** April 07, 2015, 08:10:29 pm »

First coat of paint on the sides. Oh the irony...... the color is called "Cheerful"

Rock · « **Reply #51 on:** April 18, 2015, 08:20:09 pm »

T-molding installed.

Slippyblade · « **Reply #52 on:** April 18, 2015, 08:21:57 pm »

How's the rotation action? Smooth or does it bind & skip?

Rock · « **Reply #53 on:** April 19, 2015, 05:52:59 pm »

Quote from: Slippyblade on April 18, 2015, 08:21:57 pm

How's the rotation action? Smooth or does it bind & skip?

Very smooth. It does not bind or skip at all.

Ond · « **Reply #54 on:** April 19, 2015, 07:43:22 pm »

I like the mechanical design and fabrication innovation going on here, very nice!

Rock · « **Reply #55 on:** April 19, 2015, 11:42:37 pm »

Quote from: Ond on April 19, 2015, 07:43:22 pm

I like the mechanical design and fabrication innovation going on here, very nice!

Thanks! Originally I was going to draw all of it out in 3D cad first. After fighting with the software just to make simple pieces, I decided I would be able to build it 2 or 3 times over by the time I could get it drawn.

Rock · « **Reply #56 on:** April 22, 2015, 05:04:09 pm »

I ordered the control panel covers and marquee panel yesterday. Once I have those I will start wiring. I want to get all of the controls in before I install the monitor shelf. The computer hardware has been delivered, set up and tested. Running the latest version of Linux Mint.

Rock · « **Reply #57 on:** April 29, 2015, 08:15:14 pm »

Sorry for the poor focus on these. I will take pictures with my camera instead of my phone when I am finished.

The back and top are painted now. The sides and front still need another coat or two. Power cord socket has been cut in. I have started on the power wiring and cut holes for ventilation fans.

Rock · « **Reply #58 on:** April 30, 2015, 08:53:30 pm »

A little better focus on these. AC wiring is completed and tested.

Rock · « **Reply #59 on:** May 11, 2015, 10:00:53 pm »

Warranty voided, speakers ready to go into cabinet. I am still waiting on the control panel covers and marquee plate.

Rock · « **Reply #60 on:** May 23, 2015, 10:25:41 pm »

First set on panels and controls in place.

Malenko · « **Reply #61 on:** May 23, 2015, 10:39:42 pm »

So couple of questions,hope you dont mind.

What made you choose rotating panel over something like, swap-able panels?

Is the rotation "infinite" ? Like can you just keep spinning from the bottom up or do you eventually have to spin it the opposite direction?

Why did you do the first panel the way you did? symmetry? I would hate to be player 1 on that panel

Rock · « **Reply #62 on:** May 24, 2015, 12:30:59 am »

Quote from: Malenko on May 23, 2015, 10:39:42 pm

So couple of questions,hope you dont mind.

What made you choose rotating panel over something like, swap-able panels?

Is the rotation "infinite" ? Like can you just keep spinning from the bottom up or do you eventually have to spin it the opposite direction?

Why did you do the first panel the way you did? symmetry? I would hate to be player 1 on that panel

There are a few reasons I chose a rotating panel.
1. I can quickly switch from one set of controls to the next for different games.
2. It takes up less floor space (that side of my shop is only 20x20.)
3. It takes less time to rotate the panel than it would to swap out.
4. I don't have to give up space to store other panels.

The rotation is infinite. There are no wires to tangle/twist/break

Since I will be running linux on this box, the controls will be scripted based on the game. For single person playing or games where each player takes a turn, you would use the right joystick and left buttons. This will put the player in front of the middle of the cabinet. I might even script the opposite for left handed players. For two players it will be scripted for one on the left and one on the right. The distance between the 2 was what was comfortable for me to use both joysticks at the same time (Robotron)

Rock · « **Reply #63 on:** May 24, 2015, 08:01:38 pm »

Control surface #2. One more to go before the wiring starts.

Malenko · « **Reply #64 on:** May 24, 2015, 09:59:11 pm »

I'm used to the stick on the left buttons on the right, but it's your cab!

I don't think I have the brain power to engineer that kinda panel but you did a great job documenting the pictures and process

Rock · « **Reply #65 on:** May 24, 2015, 10:11:44 pm »

Quote from: Malenko on May 24, 2015, 09:59:11 pm

I'm used to the stick on the left buttons on the right, but it's your cab!

I don't think I have the brain power to engineer that kinda panel but you did a great job documenting the pictures and process

It can be used either way, it will all be controlled from scripting. Working from 1uparcade's drawing, making my own small changes were not very difficult. My biggest issue is thinking of other things I want to add. LOL! I will be starting the wiring tomorrow and hopefully be ready to run a test in the next week or so.

Malenko · « **Reply #66 on:** May 24, 2015, 10:15:33 pm »

Quote from: Rock on May 24, 2015, 10:11:44 pm

It can be used either way, it will all be controlled from scripting. Working from 1uparcade's drawing, making my own small changes were not very difficult. My biggest issue is thinking of other things I want to add. LOL! I will be starting the wiring tomorrow and hopefully be ready to run a test in the next week or so.

Well in a 2 player simultaneous it cant be used either way :p

1 major thing I'd suggest adding, would add a 4th button, that adds the entire NeoGeo library at the cost of almost no real estate.

Rock · « **Reply #67 on:** May 24, 2015, 10:23:56 pm »

Quote from: Malenko on May 24, 2015, 10:15:33 pm

Well in a 2 player simultaneous it cant be used either way :p

1 major thing I'd suggest adding, would add a 4th button, that adds the entire NeoGeo library at the cost of almost no real estate.

Since its primary function will be internet, google hangouts and lightweight 3D cad there will not be a lot of 2 player simultaneous. Gaming wise it will be mainly old school arcade that only need 1-2 buttons, however, I did order extra buttons in case I decide to add the NeoGeo library later. There will likely be another build in the future for the house. That one will be a completely different design and be for gaming only.

Rock · « **Reply #68 on:** May 24, 2015, 10:45:43 pm »

Final panel started.

Rock · « **Reply #69 on:** May 26, 2015, 10:53:11 pm »

And now for the fun part!

Rock · « **Reply #70 on:** May 29, 2015, 12:21:04 am »

First panel done.

Slippyblade · « **Reply #71 on:** May 29, 2015, 02:11:05 am »

I'm totally confused on infinite rotation. Does it go to a wireless encoder or something?

Green Giant · « **Reply #72 on:** May 29, 2015, 12:36:01 pm »

Quote from: Slippyblade on May 29, 2015, 02:11:05 am

I'm totally confused on infinite rotation. Does it go to a wireless encoder or something?

He is using a mercotac slip ring that allows 4 wires to rotate infinitely. My only question is what are those 4 wires connected to? I was thinking the USB but then how will he get power.

I guess either another slip ring or wireless USB and the mercotac thing is simply for powering it all.

Slippyblade · « **Reply #73 on:** May 29, 2015, 03:48:48 pm »

Ok, that makes sense. USB actually only uses 4 wires. Ground, Vcc, Data+, and Data-

Rock · « **Reply #74 on:** May 29, 2015, 10:27:56 pm »

Quote from: Slippyblade on May 29, 2015, 03:48:48 pm

Ok, that makes sense. USB actually only uses 4 wires. Ground, Vcc, Data+, and Data-

Correct. I will be feeding USB data on the two 4 amp connectors, ground on one of the 30 amp connectors and either 5 or 12 volts on the second 30 amp connector. If it ends up being 12 volts there will be a 5 volt regulator inside of the control panel section. I will be making up my mind on 5 volt vs. 12 volt in the next couple of days.

Rock · « **Reply #75 on:** May 29, 2015, 10:38:19 pm »

Almost 300 feet of wire at this point, 14 feet of heat shrink tubing and around 200 connections.

Rock · « **Reply #76 on:** May 30, 2015, 11:29:46 pm »

Waiting on a few parts to come in, but I ran my first test tonight. Played a game with my wife.

Rock · « **Reply #77 on:** May 31, 2015, 12:15:39 am »

Just a recommendation to anyone building a cabinet. If you get the pre-made wiring harness from Ultimarc, check all of the connections with an ohm meter. I have repaired several high resistance connections so far.

While they may work when you first put things together, they will eventually cause problems.

Rock · « **Reply #78 on:** June 02, 2015, 12:58:03 am »

Marquee lighting installed

Rock · « **Reply #79 on:** June 05, 2015, 03:16:44 am »

USB wiring inside control panel completed, hub installed, Mercotac floating torque arm installed. Work is progressing a little slower now that it can be played.

I also have the amplified speakers installed and the spinner knob dialed in for Tempest.


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