[sdiy] Front Panel Express Template question

[Michael Ruberto]

There are some ways to save money in FPD but it requires some 
experimentation. By selecting how things are cut you can save. e.g.

Engr. Line   | 398.15/281.94 | Length: 361.90 mm Thick: 0.40 mm     |    
1.81 $
Engr. Line   | 446.41/281.94 | Length: 361.90 mm Thick: 0.60 mm     |    
1.81 $
Engr. Line   | 446.41/281.94 | Length: 361.90 mm Thick: 1.42 mm     |   
13.31 $

This is the same line, but the 1st 2 are set to use the tool diameter 
(double click line for properties). As you can see on the top 2 lines the 
thickness is different but the price is the same, so you can just pick the 
tool size according to how thick you want your line to be. Remember though 
each tool change costs $$$ too so use as few as is necessary.

Another trick is to use the thinnest material you can get away with. Sure 
you want a synth that's built like a tank but think about it, it's just 
gonna sit in a rack right?

YOU CAN BUY AN ELECTRIC HAND DRILL. Most of us have one anyway. Make tiny 
starter holes in your design then drill them out to the size you need - it's 
impossible to mess up with a starter hole. Here's why:

Thru-Hole    | 278.06/402.54 | Diameter: 8.00 mm                    |    
0.25 $
Thru-Hole    | 262.93/307.01 | Diameter: 3.50 mm                    |    
0.16 $

Saving $.09/hole may not be much if you are just making a single module 
which might have 16 holes. However, if you are doing a large panel like mine 
(19" X 20" 2.5mm thick) with over 200 holes you'll appreciate the excersize 
when you see that $20 savings.

Another big killer is the text engravings.

Engraving    | 374.83/235.89 | RESONANCE                            |    
0.50 $
Engraving    | 374.83/202.87 | CV1                                  |    
0.24 $

The bigger the word the more you spend, so abbreviations are your friend. 
Hey I'm a poet! Because I am using color coded jacks for patches, most of my 
patch points don't need a text label. Consider using banana or tip 
connectors and add some color to your life.

On my synth I have several iterations of the same module, so I created a 
jack field matrix where like named patch points are in rows. Each module has 
a row and the text labels for the patch points are in columns above.
Careful design can save you $!
Keep an eye on your pricing file as you go and take the time to tinker with 
things to reduce the cost.

M. A. Ruberto

>From: harrybissell <harrybissell at prodigy.net>
>To: James Patchell <patchell at cox.net>
>CC: Synth DIY <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
>Subject: Re: [sdiy] Front Panel Express Template question
>Date: Sat, 06 Aug 2005 12:35:44 -0400
>
>If you just do holes, and control labels... the price is not bad.
>
>If you add DIAL MARKINGS to each pot, watch the price go
>'up like an infield fly'
>
>Quality is unmatched, and if you do not have GOOD metalworking
>tools like the esteemed Mssr. Patchell... they are the way to go
>
>H^) harry
>
>James Patchell wrote:
>
> > 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
> > ***************************************************************
> > http://www.oldcrows.net/~patchell
> >
> > ***************************************************************
>