Conceptual Idea

[mllkat]

While I have been gathering parts for my Blitz cab, I have been tinkering with another idea for a cab...or a variation of one. This is one possibility.

[mllkat]

..and here is the possible CP...

[JonnyBoy]

I think that's a really cool design. The base would have to be pretty darn heavy to keep it from tipping. Where would you mount the PC?

[Baker535]

I dig the concept... one thing to tackle would be making that stable, any ideas you already have kicking around?

Good start with your theme... since you are trying to go unconventional try to push the shapes and content you are aiming for. Cubes, technology, color, stuff that simulates a hive/collective type of feeling. As I recall the Borg ship was made out of a lot of components interlocking together... what if you used some sort of square I-beam like structure for the central column...? Granted it would be a pain to create or find a pre-fabricated solution... but it's all conceptual right?

Imagine the wires running through the column up to to the monitor, speakers and marquee. You could even paint them... maybe with something that glows or blacklight responsive? Possibly use some ACTUAL  printed circuit boards exposed on the surface to add texture and character...

Fun stuff, I hope you can go nuts on it!

-baker

[Baker535]

Someone just beat me to the question on stability, before I finished my post...

Here are samples of the tower structure I was talking about and a good Circuit board shot for materials reference.

-baker

[countchocula8]

i noticed that the joystick is on the opposite side for player 2 (of 4 ).... i dont know its wise to flip it just for symmetry sake.

[clonestar]

If you take the pc to pieces you ought to be able to mount the motherboard psu and hard drives behind the screen.  Taking the bits out of the case lets you make a lower profile arrangement.

[mllkat]

I dig the concept... one thing to tackle would be making that stable, any ideas you already have kicking around?

Thanks for all the input guys. Stability is a main concern. The original piece that inspired the idea is a stand I acquired from work. In their case, they were using it as a computer stand for their FID stations. The only problem was,

[M3talhead]

What monitor are you thinking about using for this?

[mllkat]

What monitor are you thinking about using for this?

Depends on the height I make the center column. If I shorten it I might find a way to mount a CRT based monitor...but to me....the project is screaming for LCD or maybe even plasma. My brother runs a television repair shop and he said he might be able to get me a 20"-27" flatscreen....that would be great. I am trying to leave my options open at this point.

[Baker535]

On the stability issue I thought of a couple of things...

For the CP itself, it WILL torque a lot while people play or take a lot of pressure from people pushing down on it (since it will have stress multiplied because of leverage). Consider running a couple of struts from the base or column out to the bottom edge of the left and right side of the CP. I think this will help with any "wobble" and potential breaking from normal play.

For overall stability I would suggest actually mounting that stand you have from work on to a piece of VERY oversized wood, you could even carpet it. The wood base should be big enough so players have to stand on it as they play. This will add extra weight when it's necessary and prevent any tipping.

-baker

[mllkat]

For the CP itself, it WILL torque a lot while people play or take a lot of pressure from people pushing down on it (since it will have stress multiplied because of leverage). Consider running a couple of struts from the base or column out to the bottom edge of the left and right side of the CP. I think this will help with any "wobble" and potential breaking from normal play.

That is basically the idea I had. When I get the actual stand posted you will see what I am working with. The unit has a metal shelf that held the keyboard. I am probably going to be using that as a foundation for the CP. Keep

[dema]

Another thing to keep in mind is that the cp might need to be deeper than drawn to allow the proper clearance for the trackball mount, buttons, and joystick undercarriages. I may be incorrect, but your cp diagram looks like it won't be deep enough to provide the proper clearance for the internals.

[mllkat]

Here are the pics of the stand I obtained from work. This was my starting point. As you can probably tell, the shelf is on upside down. I was curious to see if I could use the medal shelf as a support for the CPU. I think it has possibilities.

[mllkat]

...and this is a closeup of the base

[dema]

This will need a whole lot more stability if you want to use it for a cabinet.

[RayB]

That photo of a tower isn't really relevant. It's designed to support it's OWN weight, plus the weight of electric wires. It is NOT designed to support a big bulky over-hanging weight at the top.

[Zero_Hour]

Stability won't be difficult, just heavy. 

That stand reminds me of the repair stands we used at the bike shop I worked at.

http://www.branfordbike.com/tools/ws1.html

The base of those stands is a very heavy steel plate. I can't imagine it would be too difficult to procure something similar (drilled for your stand) from a local machine shop - I sure wouldn't want to pay shipping on one of those things.

[dema]

I sure wouldn't want to pay shipping on one of those things.

Nor would you want to be the one who moves it.

[mllkat]

I sure wouldn't want to pay shipping on one of those things.

Nor would you want to be the one who moves it.

So I guess that means I can count you out for assistance in carrying it to the top floor?

[Baker535]

That photo of a tower isn't really relevant. It's designed to support it's OWN weight, plus the weight of electric wires. It is NOT designed to support a big bulky over-hanging weight at the top.

RayB why are you applying for the head referee position when the job description clearly asks for assistant coaches?

The picture I showed is quite relevant... it gets the IDEA clearly across of a structure I'm trying to convey. Because at that point in the CONCEPTUAL process explaining further design details wasn

[dema]

I think you'd have to go with a flat panel to make this design work effectively. A CRT monitor would complicate matters even more. While the concept you've created definitely looks cool, there is a lot more difficulty in getting this design to work than with a standard arcade machine.

[RayB]

RayB why are you applying for the head referee position when the job description clearly asks for assistant coaches?

Cuz I'm opinionated, why else?

[mllkat]

I think you'd have to go with a flat panel to make this design work effectively. A CRT monitor would complicate matters even more. While the concept you've created definitely looks cool, there is a lot more difficulty in getting this design to work than with a standard arcade machine.

I quite agree...and if my brother can come through...that is the route(the flat panel) I would choose to take. I also agree this concept is more difficult to pull off than the standard cab...thats the fun of it.