[sdiy] Front Panel Express Template question

[James Patchell]

Sticker shock...yes...expensive....well....it depends on what you call 
expensive...

The 19 x 14 inch panels I get made for my modules costs about $400 each 
(Yipes!).  Yep...I can make my own panels here, however, while my results 
are quite good...I can easily spend 20 hours on a single panel.  I have 
very little spare time as it is.  Doing a Front Panel Express panel sure is 
a lot less time consuming for really good results...

I pretty use only Front Panel Express now for doing panels....still make my 
own chassis yet...however.

Examples:

http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell/synthmodulesII/ModularSynthesizerChassis.html

http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell/synthmodulesII/frontpanel.jpg

Here is a home made panel....

http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell/synthmodules/expander.html

http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell/smb1/smbfront.jpg

         -Jim

At 10:33 AM 8/6/2005 -0500, Grant Richter wrote:
>Download and run the Front Panel express design software (Windoze only).
>
>The panel setup page has options for default rack panes with mounting
>holes.
>The software is real good at letting you play "what if" games. Just
>get ready for the sticker shock.
>I have to give then credit, while expensive, with the legends done
>with paint filled engraving, it is impossible to scratch then off
>with your fingernails.
>I can't imagine a way to make a better faceplate.
>
>When I asked them to, they even found "glow in the dark" florescent
>paint for me.
>This is really cool if you use you modulars live on stage.
>In the dark you can still see your knob and jack legends.
>The only drawback is the "glow in the dark" paint is not as white
>under normal light.
>
>If your interested, ask them about the Wiard Synthesizer glow in the
>dark text fill paint.
>
>On Aug 6, 2005, at 9:58 AM, <synth at oldmail.charlielamm.com>
><synth at oldmail.charlielamm.com> wrote:
>
>>I am considering getting rid of all my frackrack stuff and going
>>with a
>>different solution.
>>
>>My current thought is to buy some sort of rack enclosure (like a 2u
>>one
>>from sescom--http://www.sescom.com/enclosures/rack_chassis.html)
>>and then
>>substitute a front panel express front panel for the one sescom
>>supplies.
>>
>>What I am afraid of is not providing FP Express with the correct
>>dimensions for the front panel, and ending up with something expensive
>>that doesn't work with the rest of the sheet metal.
>>
>>Does anyone know of any templates for this--a starting point for FPE's
>>software that will allow me to create front panels for rack mountable
>>enclosures where the front panel is correctly sized and drilled for
>>the
>>rest of case and standard 19" rack rails?
>>
>>Or do I just have to buy the sescom or equiv. stuff and take really
>>careful measurements?
>>
>>(I am not married to sescom BTW.  If anyone knows of some "Front Panel
>>Express Ready" rack enclosures and templates I'd love to hear about
>>it.)
>>
>>Thanks.
>>
>>--CL
>
>
>
>"Where can we find a Duck and some Duck Tape?" - Pinky
>
>

         -Jim
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http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell

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