Modular Synth Panels

I have an 8x8 LED matrix display that I want to put on an MU (or MOTM) panel.  I'm planning to prototype this with a blank panel and a printed/laminated "label".  Drilling holes for knobs & jacks is easy enough.  I need to create a couple of troughs through which the pins of the LED matrix can fit.  This is the same challenge as creating a trough for a fader or doing a cutout for an LCD display.   How do I do this on an aluminum blank panel that I would get from Synthesizers.com or Bridechamber (MOTM blank panel)? 

Its not easy to DIY, but its possible.  Of course, if you have a mill... but im assuming you dont, so -

Print out the design on paper, to scale.
Choose a drill bit smaller than the dia of the cut-out
Draw dots on your paper, along the centerline of the cut-out, spaced apart so as the finished drill holes will virtually overlap. (but, if they do overlap, i suspect you will have issues drilling them...)
Overlay the paper ontop of the panel.
Center mark where your dots are
Drill
Then drill again, tilting the drill.  This is where itll all get a bit dicey.  Tilting the drill will break one hole into the next.
Finish by filing clean.


You can do this kind of stuff with a jigsaw also, but its very very likely that you will damage the surface.around where you are trying to cut.

Good luck!

Julian

Time to send this panel to the pros :). I d rather spend my time on unique circuitry or software!

Thx for walking me thru this Julian!


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On Fri, Apr 18, 2014 6:53 PM CDT port23.co.uk@... wrote:

>Its not easy to DIY, but its possible. Of course, if you have a mill... but im assuming you dont, so -
>
>Print out the design on paper, to scale.
>Choose a drill bit smaller than the dia of the cut-out
>Draw dots on your paper, along the centerline of the cut-out, spaced apart so as the finished drill holes will virtually overlap. (but, if they do overlap, i suspect you will have issues drilling them...)
>Overlay the paper ontop of the panel.
>Center mark where your dots are
>Drill
>Then drill again, tilting the drill. This is where itll all get a bit dicey. Tilting the drill will break one hole into the next.
>Finish by filing clean.
>
>
>You can do this kind of stuff with a jigsaw also, but its very very likely that you will damage the surface.around where you are trying to cut.
>
>Good luck!
>
>Julian

From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com [mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of o.z.hall@...
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2014 14:06
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] cutting "trough"s in a blank panel for faders and displays

I have an 8x8 LED matrix display that I want to put on an MU (or MOTM) panel.  I'm planning to prototype this with a blank panel and a printed/laminated "label".  Drilling holes for knobs & jacks is easy enough.  I need to create a couple of troughs through which the pins of the LED matrix can fit.  This is the same challenge as creating a trough for a fader or doing a cutout for an LCD display.   How do I do this on an aluminum blank panel that I would get from Synthesizers.com or Bridechamber (MOTM blank panel)? 

Do you have a drawing for this with dimensions? Or better yet - Gerber file? I might do that for you for the cost of shipping. Blanks fly easily in envelopes, so no matter where you are.

Roman

PS. I guess this is my first post here, although subscribed since maybe 10 years. So... hello everyone!

---- Użytkownik o.z.hall@... napisał ----

I have an 8x8 LED matrix display that I want to put on an MU (or MOTM) panel.  I'm planning to prototype this with a blank panel and a printed/laminated "label".  Drilling holes for knobs & jacks is easy enough.  I need to create a couple of troughs through which the pins of the LED matrix can fit.  This is the same challenge as creating a trough for a fader or doing a cutout for an LCD display.   How do I do this on an aluminum blank panel that I would get from Synthesizers.com or Bridechamber (MOTM blank panel)? 

Yes I do live in a largest city . That's a great idea. I ll check into it. Great idea!


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On Fri, Apr 18, 2014 8:50 PM CDT Dave Halliday wrote:

>Are you located near a largish city (over 100,000 people)?
>
>There might be a vocational college with a machining program. The teachers
>are always looking for projects for the students to do. You could offer to
>do a 30 minute demonstration of analog synthesis. The teacher might need
>some custom electronics -- wiring a cable or breakout box or something.
>
>Also, check to see if you know anyone with a milling machine -- this is the
>tool that you want to use.
>
>Dave
>
>
> _____
>
>From: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
>[mailto:ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of o.z.hall@...
>Sent: Friday, April 18, 2014 14:06
>To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [ModularSynthPanels] cutting "trough"s in a blank panel for faders
>and displays
>
>
>
>
>I have an 8x8 LED matrix display that I want to put on an MU (or MOTM)
>panel. I'm planning to prototype this with a blank panel and a
>printed/laminated "label". Drilling holes for knobs & jacks is easy enough.
>I need to create a couple of troughs through which the pins of the LED
>matrix can fit. This is the same challenge as creating a trough for a fader
>or doing a cutout for an LCD display. How do I do this on an aluminum
>blank panel that I would get from Synthesizers.com or Bridechamber (MOTM
>blank panel)?
>
>
>
>

Roman. I ll see if I can produce a gerber. I usually use front panel express. I don't know if it produces gerbers. I also use eagle which does produce gerbers.
Thx!

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On Sat, Apr 19, 2014 1:05 AM CDT Roman Sowa wrote:

>Do you have a drawing for this with dimensions? Or better yet - Gerber file? I might do that for you for the cost of shipping. Blanks fly easily in envelopes, so no matter where you are.
>
>Roman
>
>PS. I guess this is my first post here, although subscribed since maybe 10 years. So... hello everyone!
>
>---- Użytkownik o.z.hall@... napisał ----
>
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>>I have an 8x8 LED matrix display that I want to put on an MU (or MOTM) panel.  I'm planning to prototype this with a blank panel and a printed/laminated "label".  Drilling holes for knobs & jacks is easy enough.  I need to create a couple of troughs through which the pins of the LED matrix can fit.  This is the same challenge as creating a trough for a fader or doing a cutout for an LCD display.   How do I do this on an aluminum blank panel that I would get from Synthesizers.com or Bridechamber (MOTM blank panel)? 
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