[sdiy] Most popular DIY modular format?

[David Cornutt]

On Apr 16, 2006, at 11:24 PM, Nicholas Gregorich wrote:

>
> The 1/8" to 1/4" is no problem but what about MOTM and .COM in the 
> same case?  I read about small gaps similar to putting Analogue 
> Solutions and Doepfer in the same case and the only other problem is 
> the power connector shape, right?
>
>

Your suspicion is correct; a Dotcom single width is a bit wider than an 
MOTM single width.
However, if you are trying to mount a mix of them, that's the least of 
your problems.  The
bigger problem is that MOTM and Dotcom use different mounting screw 
patterns.  I suppose
it's possible to drill a mounting rail such that it will accommodate 
both patterns, but
trying to mount a mix of modules such that there are no gaps between 
panels will drive
you crazy.

A better idea is not not pre-drill your mounting rails at all.  Build 
the case, figure out
your module layout, and then drill the mounting rails specific to that 
layout.  If you
later want to make changes, you can just drill more holes.  Of course, 
eventually your
rails will be Swiss cheese if you make a lot of changes.  If you really 
want aluminum
rails, then design your case so that you can replace the rails if/when 
that happens.
However, what I did on mine was to use wood rails.  When I move 
something, I fill
any unused holes with wood filler.

One other thing to watch out for: There is a minimum and maximum 
spacing between
the bottom and top rails that you need to keep in mind.  The Dotcom 
modules have
aluminum tabs on either side that are bent back towards the rear to 
stiffen the panel.
These protrude about 3/4" back from the front plane.  They are  7-5/8" 
tall,
so the inside edges of the mounting rails need to be at least that far 
apart.
The other limit is determined by the MOTM mounting screws.  The 
center-to-center
measure between the bottom and top holes is 8-1/4".  So the inside 
measure between
the mounting rail edges needs to be no more than 8", allowing for the 
hole diameters.

Blacet used to make an adaptor plate that made it possible to mount any 
of their
double-width Frac modules in an MOTM-pattern case.  But it seems to 
have disappeared
from their accessories page (even though the home page still mentions 
it).  However,
I imagine that it's not too difficult to make your own from aluminum 
stock or 1/4" plywood.