Plexiglass Jukebox (Updated with pics)

[mccoy178]

Changed the name of the thread so people might actually take a look.

[Franco B]

Really? Whats the problem? I quite like enjoy it 

[Blanka]

Then just don't! I have absolutely no idea why anybody would want to sand plexi. To make it matte perhaps?

[mountain]

Then just don't! I have absolutely no idea why anybody would want to sand plexi. To make it matte perhaps?

I imagine he is sanding cut edges to remove tooling marks for polishing or bonding.

So, Ben, how long are you going to keep us in suspense?

[mccoy178]

Not long at all.  The only pictures I have right now are on my cell phone.  I'm gonna try to get some pics taken tonight when I go back in.  And yes, I'm sanding tool marks for bonding sake.  Not glass like, but good enough for this application.

[mccoy178]

It is a 19" touchscreen jukebox made out of 3/8" plexi.  Off the top of my head, I believe the width is 19.25" and the height is 16.25".  It is 5.5" deep.  This is a project I have been making after school with some of my students.  I want students to see the inner workings of things and this is the start.  I'm banking on this to spark serious interest in my program from students. 

As a group we went over the parts of a computer, how to order the parts, where to find them, and how they interact together.  Obviously we are in the construction mode, but we are very close to being ready to put the computer components together.

I gave them the generic idea of what I wanted to make and they have given input as to how to design the vent holes, how to mount everything, and some structural ideas.  I try to help them through the design loop and they keep coming back, so it must be okay.  Anyways, here is how far we got Friday.

[SavannahLion]

This photo is real interesting. I've seen similar vents elsewhere with acrylic (might be lexan or poly), but I've never had the opportunity to look at it close up.

It looks like the horizontal portion is from a solid piece and vertical strips were bonded to the back?

[mccoy178]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

[orion]

That's got to be the coolest classroom project ever!

[drventure]

Great idea for a classroom project. Getting kids interested in +Building+ something instead of just using things is always a plus in my book.

Plus, a project like this gets them into computer component hardware, a little bit of electrical work, wiring, tooling/woodworking, design work/cad, planning, and even some software elements, installing OS's, software, configuration, usability issues etc. It's a great introduction to a lot of various disciplines.

 

[SavannahLion]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

Did you utilize a CNC machine to cut your oval trim?

[HaRuMaN]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

Did you utilize a CNC machine to cut your oval trim?

Umm.... duh?   

[mccoy178]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

Did you utilize a CNC machine to cut your oval trim?

Yeah, we use a cnc machine in the woods class.  In order to really learn how to use it, the kids need to come in after school.  There is just too much to learn about it.

[Malenko]

I'll take 2, how many HDMI ports does it have?  Are you going to post the code for noisey in the project thread?

[mccoy178]

Today we welded it all together, rounded over the face edges, and mounted the monitor brackets.  So, the monitor is in, the backboard has been painted black and the motherboard has been mounted to the back.  I thought I had a huge problem, as I realized today that I have no internal video port, but there is room on the metal plate to create a space for the monitor wire to run outside.  All through basketball practice I thought about a solution and as soon as I saw it again the answer came to me.  Hopefully this will be up and running by the weekend.

[SavannahLion]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

Did you utilize a CNC machine to cut your oval trim?

Umm.... duh?   

I've been trying to mold and cast mine. What technique are you using? 

[mccoy178]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

Did you utilize a CNC machine to cut your oval trim?

Umm.... duh?   

I've been trying to mold and cast mine. What technique are you using? 

We are using a cnc machine.  I don't understand the question.

[HaRuMaN]

The oval and the horizontal lines are on one side cut .2" in.  The vertical lines are on the otherside and are cut in .2".  Where they overlap creates the breathe holes.  Designing it on the computer and cutting it out blew a couple of the kids minds.  Guts were everywhere.

Did you utilize a CNC machine to cut your oval trim?

Umm.... duh?   

I've been trying to mold and cast mine. What technique are you using? 

I'm using The Force. 

[ammitz]

I'm using The Force. 

The Force is strong with this one

[SavannahLion]

I'm using The Force. 

The Force is strong with this one

We are using a cnc machine.  I don't understand the question.

That last comment was directed towards HarumaN. 

[mccoy178]

Today we got everything up and running!  Windows is installed and all that is left is to get the touch screen plate working.  I can't remember who the manufacturer of plate is, so I'll just have to do a little research tonight.  Tomorrow I plan to mount the harddrive, powersource, and lighting.  After that, it's pretty much ready to rock. 

Tonights to do:
1.  Get the Freebox Winter skin ready to install.
2.  Find that stinkin' touchscreen plate driver.

 

[Donkey_Kong]

Damn you! If I look up cool in the encyclopedia...I think this will be there

[mccoy178]

Everything is up and running!  Took awhile to get all of the drivers installed, i.e. audio, touchscreen pad, etc., but we got it.  It was really cool getting the kids involved in searching for the drivers and telling them how to tell the difference between good downloads and bad ones.  Reputable sites and such.  Pics are coming.  I just need to get the components mounted to the backboard.