Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Modular Synth Panels

The reasons why I prefer not using FPD, in no particular order:

- I'm a Mac-head. Though possible, I do not like booting into Windows. •_º
- Schaeffer panels are expensive.
- They are not very precise.
- The software sucks, sorry to say.
- The resulting vector files are ehm, really ugly. Rough. Un-vector-like.
- Options for materials are quite limited.
- It's engraved.
- etc...

For my own panels, I use laser "drilling" and "etching", on stainless steel sheet metal.
Precise to 1/100th of a mm. No limits on graphics (but uninterrupted lines can only be 16cm long). Legibility easily down to 3pt fontsize (not that ∗I∗ can read that, but the laser can). Labeling will never ever go away, scratch, fade or anything else. Labeling (the graphics) has no depth nor thickness - "it's just there" (turn over your cooking pots, and you'll see, and feel).
SS can be micro-welded, and the surface comes in many options (brushed, glossy, really shiny, matte, anodized, etc).
It's relatively cheap. Cheaper than Schaeffer, and that includes the PCB support (see photos).

The only disadvantages I can think of, are:
- Don't even think of making (minor or major) corrections afterwards. Unless you have the equipment, there's no way you're gone file it or drill it yourself.
- It's rather heavy (then again: it feels very solid, and can be thinner than alu 'cause it's stronger).
- it will survive me by at least 500 years, so my great-great- great-great- grandchildren will still be able to read all the mistakes I did with the labeling.

Here's a few shots of the 2nd prototype panel:
(note: the final panels will be slightly less shiny)

http://www.guyd2. com/stuff/ proto-2.jpg

http://www.guyd2. com/stuff/ lfo_wired. jpg (please forgive the messy wiring)

These are old-style Serge 7" inspired panels, with a 1x1" grid.

_g

--- In ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com, Scott Deyo <contact@... > wrote:
>
> You're both right. It started for .fpd files, but now is for all panel 
> design and fab advice, etc.
> Most folks use .fpd because it's easy, which is fine.
> Any questions about FPE are good. Tell us what the solution is when 
> you find it!
> You could also ask Schaeffer/ FPE, or alert them to the problem.
> 
> We could use more posts on how folks are fabricating their own panels.
> Who out there makes their own? Any silkscreening advice, or what 
> worked and what didn't work?
> I'm tired of all these damn Bridechamber posts! : )
> 
> Scott Deyo
> contact@...
> The Bridechamber
> www.bridechamber. com
> Jealous Edison Record Kompany
> www.jealousedison. com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Jan 12, 2010, at 9:32 AM, Guy wrote:
> 
> > I didn't know this was an exclusive FPD-only group, sorry.
> >
> > Quoting the description of this group:
> > "This is a forum and database about designing and building panels 
> > for modular synths. It's open to any format and any technique. Files 
> > for panels from Schaeffer/ FPE are in the Files. PCB/ kit sources 
> > are in the Links. Feel free to add a link to your own work. Welcome!"
> >
> > I design (synth) fascia's too, though generally not in FPD format 
> > (for several reasons).
> > Thought I might learn something here, and perhaps help out wherever 
> > I can.
> >
> > _g
> >
> > --- In ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com, "data2action" 
> > <fluxmonk@> wrote:
> > >
> > > uh, this group was created to support the use of FPD to create 
> > synth panels and to share FPD files.
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com, "Guy" <guy@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > It means that "you currently have not selected a default printer".
> > > >
> > > > Whatever that means in the context of copy/pasting. .. I dunno. 
> > Don't use FPD.
> > > >
> > > > _g
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In ModularSynthPanels@ yahoogroups. com, "krelnarb" 
> > <krelnarb@> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > I can no longer copy and paste in FPD 3.5. I get an error box 
> > with "Zur Zeit ist kein Standarddrucker gewahlt." in it. I 
> > uninstalled, downloaded another copy and installed that one but I 
> > still get the message.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm on a Mac running bootcamp on an XP partition. It worked 
> > fine when I first set it up but now, no. And online translators are 
> > no help with whatever "Standarddrucker gewahlt" is.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thanks for any help or suggestions.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>