Front Panel Designs

killsurfcity · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 6:21 am Post subject: Front Panel Designs

what are people making their panels out of? i got some welder's steel, but i have no idea how to cut it. any suggestions?
i think for my panel, i will be painting it a solid color, and then silk screening the graphics on.

also, should i be woried about placing the modules in any specific order? i want it to make sense, but i also want to make the best use of space that i can.

thanks,
-et-

Alex_D_Steak · Joined: Feb 17, 2005 Posts: 40 Location: Switzerland

you may want to consider this:
http://www.electro-music.com/forum/topic-5875.html

Very Happy

ciao
alex

killsurfcity · Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 8:10 am Post subject:

i'm going to do something similar for now, but i'm looking for a more permanent solution. i have anice case i want to put it in already, so it's really just a matter of making a suitable panel.

thanks,
-et-

Photon · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 5:34 pm Post subject:

Here's a link to a photo of my front panel, which I'm in the process of wiring. it's laser etched fake wood grained plastic, bonded to an aluminum panel.

http://baragon.8m.com/fp.html

-peter

mosc · Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2005 5:48 pm Post subject:

Peter, nice looking panel. thumb up

ladislaobiro · Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 105 Location: Italy

wow peter!
this panel is just amazing!!!
very good taste... it reminds me of these old wooden boxed tubes radio receivers...
nice, really really nice...

ladislao

paul · Joined: Feb 22, 2005 Posts: 31 Location: Italy

peter,
my compliments Shocked

very nice panel well-done

Photon · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 6:04 am Post subject:

Grazie per le parole gentili.
I have the art for the panel in Adobe Illustrator format if anyone wants it. I can also post it in other formats as well. I had delayed finishing my soundlab for a long time because I wanted to have a professional looking panel. I have another synth that I had built a couple of years ago (based around the SN76477 video sound generator chip) that has an unlabeled panel. I'm planning on using the same technique on that as well. I'm glad that you liked it. Thanks again.

-peter

ladislaobiro · Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 105 Location: Italy

Mike Walters · Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 29 Location: Chapel Hill NC

Wow, that faux wood panel is absolutely sexy. I'm curious about the laser engraver you used. Do you just draw up the design, and it it etches words/graphix to the surface? I've seen laser engravers, but they seem to be quite expensive. They seem very useful though.

Good job!

Photon · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 10:12 am Post subject:

Mike,
I don't actually own the engraver (I think they start at like $10K). They have one in the graphics department where I work. I just gave them the Illustrator file and a few minutes later I had the panel (with holes, too). then I stuck it down to an aluminum sheet and transferred the holes.

The engraver is for making signs and name plates. Your local sign making shop probably has the equipment. I think it's a great way to make custom panels very cheaply. Some of the detail is really small. The type is 9pt. and came out very sharp. The plastic panels are a solid color with a thin layer of another material laminated to the top. (in my case faux wood grain). They have some with metallic foils and a lot of colors to choose from. It can also etch other materials (wood, some metals)

-peter foti

Mike Walters · Joined: Mar 24, 2005 Posts: 29 Location: Chapel Hill NC

I remember seeing a contest somewhere that was giving away an engraver a year or two ago.

I'm afraid if I had one, I'd be too laser-happy and cut and engrave everything I could find.

In a hotel conference room, there was a tripod screen that was placed right up against an electric sconce, causing a small burn hole. Someone asked me how the hole got there, and I told them that the presenter giving the meeting used the wrong kind of laser pointer.

They believed me too.

radfaraf · Joined: May 02, 2005 Posts: 18 Location: USA

Photon anychance you can provide me with whatever file I need to get a panel just like yours made ?

Photon · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 11:33 am Post subject:

I'd be happy to email anyone who'd like the file. The panel measures 8.00" X 7.875" (20.3 cm X 20 cm)
I have the file Adobe Illustrator format (ai.). I could also supply it in any other format that you'd like (jpeg,pict,bitmap, pdf, etc.)

you can email me at 11hertz (at) gmail.com

-peter