Project A.R.E.S.

[MasTequila]

Well after a very large design and lurking period I am starting my first arcade project. Project A.R.E.S. Arcade Recreation Entertainment System.  This is no mere MAME cabinet but that is still a large part of the whole design.  It is in the form of a cocktail (pictures and designs to come).  But will sport 3 LCD screens 1 larger screen for player 1 and 2, 2 smaller 1 for each player 3 and 4.  The controls will be flush with the sides of the cabinet and then expand out and rotate to face the player, giving the illusion of a normal coffee table when the controls are folded down as well as the screens.

Don't understand what it is going to look like? Good, you will.

I have started to buy and collect the various pieces needed for this mutant cabinet. So pictures are to come and I will be presenting the designs as well as I build and finish off some of the engineering concerns involved with this project.

Thanks,
MasTequila

[DaveMMR]

Sounds pretty sick.  Can't wait to see the project.

[MasTequila]

Well since my computer running the ever wonderful Windows XP has offically shat the bed it will be a little time before I can post pictures, I am making the controllers this weekend, I hope each for one person and each the same with 1 T-Stik plus and 8 buttons. The player start and coin buttons are going to be mounted on the cab so if i want to swap different controllers in and out in the future it will be less buttons and wires to mess with.

I am trying to get the models for the controller layout and stuff so I can post them and see what you guys think but we will have to see.

One Little question: How far apart do I want my buttons from one another?

~MasTequila

[MasTequila]

Ok here is a render done in Inventor 8 of what one of the controller boxes will look like.  After looking at it I think I am going to put some art on the control panels after all.  I hope to get a prototype done this weekend at least.

~Mas

[Acids]

One Little question: How far apart do I want my buttons from one another?
~MasTequila

As close as possible, Depends on what the Cpanel is made of but if you have to stretch your fingers to much it spoils the fun more than you can imagine...
( yes i made that mistake on my first controller  )

[MasTequila]

I am looking at using Molex connectors as kind of a middle man for my control panels so I will be able to swap them easily.  After reading what everyone has said about the 3 hands to exchange them i think i may be able to find a solution for a "Port" type of idea.

The A.R.E.S. cabinet design is almost done but because I am unsure of the size of the 3 LCD monitors it could change.  Right now I am spending my time making the wires needed because I plan to build my controller boxes this weekend.  Also a set of gas springs is on order (what makes a hatch-back car door open) to make the controls fold out from the main cabinet.  I just got a digital camera so pictures are to come as well as some finished renders of everything (I hope).

~Mas

[boyowilkins]

Thought that said Project A.R.S.E. for a second then..lol  

[MasTequila]

Ok I finished to some degree the renders for the whole table.  Now that you look at it and think I am crazy and that this house of cards is going to come tumbling down, don't worry these are not the final designs.

The black things on top are the 3 lcd screens, they will be flush with the top but I need to work a few other things out before I finalize where they go.

Anyway the first picture is of the machine while closed, I put a different wood texture on the control panels so they are easy to see. The second is with the panels folded out and the monitors folded up.

~Mas

[MasTequila]

Folded out

[MasTequila]

Ok I have all next week off so I hope to get alot done on the table. A website I am a part of will have more pictures than I will post here but I will post all the juicy ones here. Anyway the website is www.gametruth.org just go under the blue ARES button.

I built a test controller box and it looks and feels good so I am going to be making those first, I am using 1/2 ply wood for most of the construction as this has to be close to a presentable piece of furniture.  I will post the pics of the cutting and work on those when I build them next week.

~Mas

[Witchboard]

Does your CPs pull out then rotate over?  Maybe you already stated this somewhere.  If so, how do you plan on supporting the weight of the panel and a person leaning/beating/sobbing on the CP?

[MasTequila]

They will fold up on gas spring which in case you don't know are the same thing that work on hatch back car doors, they will provide the right lift.  On my cp setups they are mounted to a piece of pvc pipe, they will rotate on that and I have 2 deadbolt type locks to secure it in both upsidedown and rightsideup positions.  Then I am thinking of having another deadbolt or maybe even some support on drawer brakets that would come out and support the cp setup from underneath.  Since I am using LCD for my monitors I have plenty of room inside the cab for somekind of support, I just have not finalized what I want to do yet.

~Mas

[MasTequila]

Ok some news:

-I got a test set of gas springs and they are smaller than I first thought but very very strong so I think they will work.

-I got a crimping tool for molex connectors so I plan on finishing the wires this week.

I am planning on using P360 joysticks and I was wondering if i should daisy chain them or wire each with its own lead to the power supply? If no one answers here I will ask on the main forum.

~Mas

[Matt, GoC]

Well since my computer running the ever wonderful Windows XP has offically shat the bed it will be a little time before I can post pictures...

I feel your pain, my computer kicked off today.  Oh well, there's still about seven computers around the house to use  
Looks interesting in concept, hope the execution is perfect!

[GreenKnight37]

Wow...This has got to be one of the most creative cabinet type of setups I have seen so far.

I'm very curious to see future pictures of the CP setup.  I'm trying to visual how the CPs will pop out and rotate, but I've got to admit, not 100% sure how those gas springs are going to work out.  Take lots of pics for us!

Good luck with the project, I'm looking forward to watching this thing progress.

[MasTequila]

Well as this is my frist project it is having its share of issues.  However things are moving forward and i hope to have some good pictures and progress in the coming weeks.  I am glad a few people have started to take interest in my project and I hope you guys will like it as much as I plan to.

~Mas

[GreenKnight37]

I have to bump this cause I must know whats been happening!

So....Hows the project progressing Mas?  Do you have any more pictures?  I'm still waiting to see how the pull-out CP type setup works!

[goofy]

Interesting project. But, I guess I'm wondering what you'll do with the screens? I can see why you want them to come down aesthetically, but you can't really use it as a coffee table. At least I wouldn't want people putting drinks or feet on my LCD screens.

I have been thinking of trying to do something in the coffee table/game cabinet area, but I was thinking more of covering up the controls and hooking up the whole thing to the living room tv.

By the way, how's the project going.

[MasTequila]

I have not posted because I was unsure if anyone was really interested in a project this custom and well odd.  Anyway after much testing I am putting aside the folding CP idea for now as with my college apartment this arcade needs to be a tank, so it cannot be as graceful as first designs had it.

Now I am looking at doing more a design that will make It more like a coffee table, the folding monitors are still in and 2 of the CPs  ( 3rd and 4th player on the short sides) will be either hinged on will use the gas spring as I first mentioned.

Anyway most of the cutting Is done and so is collection of materials but I havent taken any pictures because I did not think anyone would want them.  I shall begin taking pictures and posting them.  Also I will post the most updated models.

Since I have finally helped my dad finish all his projects at my house we will have more time for the ARES project.

~Mas

P.S. Thanks GreenKnight for showing some interest in a very custom cab design and bumping my thread.

[GreenKnight37]

I shall begin taking pictures and posting them.  Also I will post the most updated models.

Yay, pictures!

The unique and custom builds are always the most exciting to see progress.  Even if its just pictures of sheets of wood, its fun to watch the entire thing come together.  Take pictures for yourself it not for us, that way you'll be able to prove to your friends that you made it once its finished

Keep up the good work, I'm looking forward to watching this thing through its completion!