Modular Control Panel *** NEW IDEA, Opinions wanted ***

[telengard]

Wow, very cool ideas going around.  Not sure how I missed this thread.  The tabbed strip is a cool idea.

I too have a modular panel but I used a few different things (altough I use CAT5 and am very happy with it).  Mine is rock solid and I don't have issues with tolerances.  The Robotron story mentioned is a big reason why I built mine the way I did.  I'm am not a, um, gentle Robotron player.     

~telengard

[GregorDV]

So how did you control the vertical, as it were?  Did you just hook the back under, as in Doc's instructions, or did you have some form of positive lock for the control panels?

[telengard]

So how did you control the vertical, as it were?  Did you just hook the back under, as in Doc's instructions, or did you have some form of positive lock for the control panels?

Mine are screwed down on rack rails.  They do not move AT ALL.  And since the modules are just rack blanker panels I have no issues with tolerances.  The holes and width etc are perfect.  I did however have to get the other ends done since my control panel is somewhat small (the plus is I get two modules per blanker panel).  These are 19" long which may be too much for most control panels.  The different widths helps too for holding different controls.

I also don't have the woodworking skills or patience to try and cut good fitting wood blocks etc so to me this was the way to go.  I previously had swappable panels and that was good, but modular is much much better from a usability standpoint, maintainence, and storage.

My design has trade-offs which are ok with me.  Swapping modules is probably a little bit more effort, although I keep a cordless screwdriver nearby and it's quite quick.  Any modular panel is going to take some time to swap modules though and plug them in etc.

All the details are here   

http://users.adelphia.net/~bsturk/mame/controls.html

~telengard

[Purple Lemon]

From reading this thread, it sounds like what you want is a blind mate connector for the electrical connections.  The modular panels are locked with hardware, and the electrical connections automatically align themselves when the panels are locked.  Read this:

http://www.eepn.com/Locator/Products/Index.cfm?Ad=1&ArticleID=32336

[Kaytrim]

From reading this thread, it sounds like what you want is a blind mate connector for the electrical connections.  The modular panels are locked with hardware, and the electrical connections automatically align themselves when the panels are locked.  Read this:

http://www.eepn.com/Locator/Products/Index.cfm?Ad=1&ArticleID=32336

Thank you for the link.  This sounds like it is exactly what I am looking for.


Sorry about the lack of updates.  Real life is holding up all construction including that on my bartop project for my Dad.  I hope that things will settle down in another month or so.  Then I can get back at construction and problem solving.

I may dump the current locking mechinisim in favor for something that uses much less real estate. 

TTFN
Kaytrim

[Neverending Project]

Hey Kaytrim,

Was there any more progress on this panel? I have recently started construction on my own semi-modular panel (thread here), and I had no idea that this thread existed. My idea was very similar to yours, in that not everything would be modular. In mine there will be only three module bays, and a module will contain the entire joystick/button assembly (or trackball, or wheel, etc.).

Anyway, I was struggling with some of the same quick-connect and panel mounting issues that you were considering. While I haven't yet finalized my panel interlock design, I decided to abandon the self-plugging connectors in favor of CAT5 cables manually plugged in inside the CP box. It just seemed that the complexity and real-estate needed for the self-plugging connectors was going to mean my panel may never be finished.

So did you make any progress?

[Kaytrim]

Hasn't been anything since my last post.  I have been too busy with real life and my stick building business.  I should get busy with it though.  My son is bugging me about the trackball which is out of commission until I finish this panel. 

I am following your progress though.  I would suggest that you have separate panels for your sticks and buttons.  This way you can change your setup as you need for the game you wish to play.  There are games where both players use two sticks, some require rotating sticks and some require a fire button on the stick.  Button setups are also different depending on the game.

TTFN
Kaytrim