[sdiy] Type of aluminium for front panels.

[Dave Kendall]

Neil - great idea, thanks!

I've got a load of aluminium angle from B + Q that I use for combo pot 
and PCB mounting brackets in euro modules, where the tight jack socket 
spacing and small dimensions rule out a long strip along the edge.  It 
should work very well with the larger 6U banana panels. I'm still 
working out standard pot and jack spacings, so can jiggle them around 
to make it work.

Julian - what thickness aluminium do you use for the 1U panels?

FWIW, I'm aiming at quite a density of banana sockets, 3 or 4 
horizontally across a 60mm panel, and vertical socket spacing probably 
at 3/4" centres. The sockets will be in a regular grid, so I have to be 
careful.
For smaller widths, angle strip along one side of the panel should give 
plenty of support I guess, and I can use some relatively soft 2mm thick 
panels I already have, which will keep the overall weight down.

Thanks for the thoughts guys. :-)

cheers,
Dave


On 13 Feb 2013, at 13:26, Neil Johnson wrote:

> Dave,
>
>> Am looking to build 6U high front panels for a large modular. Panels 
>> will be
>> mounted on eurorack rails, thickness will be between 2.5 mm and 3 mm, 
>> and
>> minimum panel width will be 60 mm. 3 mm is a max, due to the pots used
>> (alpha-type).
>>
>> Googling suggests 5052 and 6061 as being the strongest alloys. Due to 
>> the
>> relatively large size of the panels, I'm looking for good resistance 
>> to
>> flexing, as the banana jacks that will be used have a relatively large
>> cut-out of 9.2mm,  weakening the panel somewhat. Ease of drilling is 
>> the
>> next most important consideration.
>
> Why not use alu angle behind the panel fixed to the banana jacks?
> That would give you strength where you need it, and you can use
> whatever alloy is cheaper.
>
> Neil
> -- 
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> Homepage: http://www.njohnson.co.uk
>