<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=FR-CA link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hi Shawn,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>About Front Panel manufacturing,<br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>So far I built around 50 modules with DOTCOM specifications.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Here is an old picture of the beginning of my modular project with the very first modules installed:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M300_Synth_Cabinet/Cabinet_pictures/Cabinets_with_first_modules.JPG">http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M300_Synth_Cabinet/Cabinet_pictures/Cabinets_with_first_modules.JPG</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Here are some front pictures of my modules:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M105_VCA/Module_pictures/M105_VCA_front.jpg">http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M105_VCA/Module_pictures/M105_VCA_front.jpg</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M103B_UltraVCO/Module_pictures/M103B_MOTM300_UltraVCO_front.jpg"><span lang=EN-CA>http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M103B_UltraVCO/Module_pictures/M103B_MOTM300_UltraVCO_front.jpg</span></a></span><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M108_Audio_Mixer/Module_pictures/M108_Audio_Mixer_front.jpg">http://www.arcenson.com/projects/Modular/M108_Audio_Mixer/Module_pictures/M108_Audio_Mixer_front.jpg</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The first front panels were made from printed self-adhesive vinyls with clear thin mat laminate on top<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>to protect from any scratches..<br>These are glued on 1/16” thick DOTCOM specs folded aluminum panels.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Now, my newest front panels are and will be made from a 8mils thick pcb fiberglass<br>with black mat mask and white layout silkscreened on it.<br>The new fiberglass mat black mask is blacker than the first final vinyls look.<br>I glue them using 3M Super 77 spray glue.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>This is my PCB manufacturer that do all I need now. (electronics PCB’s & front plain PCB’s).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>I draw the front panel layout using a small program called <a href="https://www.electronic-software-shop.com/lng/en/electronic-software/frontdesigner-30.html">FrontDesigner 3.0</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>This program creates HPGL vector files for the PCB manufacturer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The electronics PCB files are GERBER files generated with OrCAD ver 10.5 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>The bonus is that since the front panel files are vector files now<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>that manufacturer can also drill all the holes in the layout (jack, switch holes, etc..)<br><br>Good luck !<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>JP<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-CA style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>De :</span></b><span lang=FR style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Synth-diy [mailto:synth-diy-bounces@synth-diy.org] <b>De la part de</b> Shawn Rakestraw<br><b>Envoyé :</b> 6 février 2020 22:32<br><b>À :</b> synth-diy@synth-diy.org<br><b>Objet :</b> [sdiy] PCB / Panel Manufacture<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Hey All! I'm new to the list and this is my first question.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks in advance, I look forward to your replies!<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>- Shawn<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>