<div dir="ltr">The panels I have made:<br><br>aluminum blanks, hand drilled. Sometimes with clear sticker paper on them, and a clear coat over the top to protect the printing (I print with an inkjet). Some folks use water decals, kinda like the ones you might have put on plastic car models in the past. Not sure how that process works to get custom artwork on them though, I haven't done it.<br><br>Aluminum panels manufactured by Metalphoto of Cincinnati (MPC). Pretty spendy, with a significant setup cost and largish minimum orders. I did this for a module that is resold by Synthcube/Modular Addict/Thonk, so I thought I would get a "professional" panel. Unfortunately for the cost, I have not been greatly pleased with the results. My second order of panels were all slightly rounded -- it's a 4HP Euro panel so screwing it down to the jacks straightens it, but even so. The actual metal work (holes) and printing have been fine.<br><br>PCB panels. Basically use your PCB CAD program to lay out an appropriately sized PCB, import whatever monochrome artwork you care to use, and have the PCBs fabbed at the same house where you get your circuit PCBs done. I usually use AllPCB. Note that at various times they have been confused when there was no copper on the board (I stopped doing that because then they also won't do any solder mask, which means a beige/tan panel), and I had to be sure I was clear that yes, all the holes are NPTH (not plated through). I also did one once using a pattern in the copper to create an effect with the solder mask (crocodile skin) and they had to be reassured that yes, this is a correct copper layer without any actual components or real traces. Finally, I also tried doing one on their aluminum substrate PCB material, and I found that the quality was lacking what I would want for it to compete with the quality of holes and printing that I got from MPC.<br><br>Going forward, I'm using standard FR4 PCB panels for my development projects and if I ever get more of those done (hi Quincas!) I'll leave it that way for kit sales as well.<br><br>Pete<br><br><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Feb 6, 2020 at 10:46 PM Oren Leavitt <<a href="mailto:obl64@ix.netcom.com" target="_blank">obl64@ix.netcom.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>
<p>Hi Shawn,</p>
<p>Welcome!</p>
<p>I have not tried these guys, but they're in the USA</p>
<p><a href="https://www.basicpcb.com/" target="_blank">https://www.basicpcb.com/</a></p>
<p>- Oren<br>
</p>
<div>On 2/6/20 9:31 PM, Shawn Rakestraw
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>Hey All! I'm new to the list and this is my first question.<br>
</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I want to dip into making some PCBs and possibly front
panels. I am into eurorack, so that is what I will be aiming
toward. I have been learning how to use Eagle to make my
schematic into a board.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Currently, I have been working on a power supply PCB that
would mount inside of a case, so I don't have any major size
constraints or precision. I will probably make a simple bus
board next to distribute the power. Then I want to move on to
an actual module. Something simple at first.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I should also mention that I am in USA, although that
probably doesn't matter that much anymore. I do prefer to
order things in the US when I can though.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I am asking for any advice at all really. My question
begins with who / where to order from, but after that I am a
bit in the dark about what to even ask. I don't know if copper
trace thickness should be a concern. Obviously with power PCBs
and distribution boards you want wide traces and I have done
some research to try to learn how wide for certain amp loads.
Really, any advice will be good for me - anything that you
wish you had known before your first order could be helpful.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Has anyone made panels and if so, what is the beginning
process for that? Can you design them in Eagle using Nets or
something? I don't know how people even design them.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Thanks in advance, I look forward to your replies!</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>- Shawn<br>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
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