Yahoo Groups archive
Thread
2007-09-28 by David Griffith
It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those things that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look or feel ugly? -- David Griffith dgriffi@...
2007-09-28 by Scott Deyo
It's only more expensive if you use FPE/ Schaeffer, who engraves and inks each tickmark. For silkscreens, it's no more expensive. That's why Stooge Panels and that Bridechamber place are so much less expensive. But then there's the one-off issue, since those places aren't automated, at least not to such a degree. Scott Deyo The Bridechamber contact@... www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 3:21 PM, David Griffith wrote: > > It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those > things > that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of > thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting > tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look > or feel ugly? > > -- > David Griffith > dgriffi@... > >
2007-09-28 by David Griffith
On Fri, 28 Sep 2007, Scott Deyo wrote: > It's only more expensive if you use FPE/ Schaeffer, who engraves and > inks each tickmark. For silkscreens, it's no more expensive. That's why > Stooge Panels and that Bridechamber place are so much less expensive. > But then there's the one-off issue, since those places aren't > automated, at least not to such a degree. Can you handle .fpd files? -- David Griffith dgriffi@...
2007-09-28 by loopcycle
Hi David,
If you need a one off and youre not willing/able to DIY it, FPE is your best
bet. DJB was kind enough to create motm 1u and 2u templates with HPGL tic
marks that you can use to make up your own fpe file as you see fit. The files
are in this group's "Files" section, in the DJB designs folder (link below).
They look nice and the cost is (relatively) cheap.
http://tinyurl.com/ypdlfm
Hans
--- David Griffith <dgriffi@...> wrote:
> On Fri, 28 Sep 2007, Scott Deyo wrote:
>
> > It's only more expensive if you use FPE/ Schaeffer, who engraves and
> > inks each tickmark. For silkscreens, it's no more expensive. That's why
> > Stooge Panels and that Bridechamber place are so much less expensive.
> > But then there's the one-off issue, since those places aren't
> > automated, at least not to such a degree.
>
> Can you handle .fpd files?
>
> --
> David Griffith
> dgriffi@...
>
____________________________________________________________________________________
Be a better Globetrotter. Get better travel answers from someone who knows. Yahoo! Answers - Check it out.
http://answers.yahoo.com/dir/?link=list&sid=3965454692007-09-28 by xamboldt
If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site. -Chris
On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote: > > It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those > things > that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of > thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting > tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look > or feel ugly? > > -- > David Griffith > dgriffi@... > >
2007-09-28 by Scott Deyo
That's cool. I didn't know about that. I just saw Dave's CVS module -- crazy! I love it! I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and go from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy indeed. It's a morally gray area :) Scott Deyo The Bridechamber contact@bridechamber.com www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 3:50 PM, xamboldt wrote: > If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I > believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site. > > -Chris > > On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote: > > > > > It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those > > things > > that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch > of > > thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting > > tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it > look > > or feel ugly? > > > > -- > > David Griffith > > dgriffi@...ubak.edu > > > > > > >
2007-09-28 by ~Morbius~
Just as an info kinda thing.... Having been an engraver and working in the sign biz for since the 80's, I can tell you that reverse-engraving (or front engraving) and paint-filling (or spraying) is going to be more expensive since it is so much more labor-intensive. I had, at one time, considered reverse-engraving either plexi, or lexan... and illuminating it either from the side(s) or the back. The rear is painted black, and the graphics are painted whatever color you want (or use colored a light-source and leave the engraved clear)... That makes all of the text, graphics, and tickmarks light-up (and looks very impressive). When I was in Nashville, I worked at a sign company which did all of the engraving work and awards for the Country Music Awards.... Opryland... all of the big hotels.... and our engraving department was the largest department in the whole place, with 5 fulltime engravers working 5 days a week, 9 hours a day. We built a lot of stuff from scratch in plexi and lexan, and had every type of equipment needed... from plainers to routing tables... from acetylene torches to 'weld-on' (plexi glue) and paint-booths. Like most things, you get what you pay for... and if you go with 'cheap', it's gonna look 'cheap'.
A much cheaper way would be to have the 'dial' (with the tickmark calibration) printed onto adhesive vinyl. But here again, quantities are really needed to make it cost effective. Where it can be printed more cheaply on a Fargo or any large-format printer... cutting-out the 'stickers' becomes the issue. There are a few large-format printers which are also plotter/cutters... and they can do the entire operation from the file. But- it's still a matter of 'do you want 'stickers... or silkscreened, or engraved'? The 'look' one wants, is gonna have everthing to do with the cost... just like the quantity is going to affect the price... (or price per unit).
Laser-engraving is the way to go with many materials. And usually, besides the laser doing the engraving, it also cuts-out each unit from the material blanks.
Making the tickmarks is no big deal... that is, with the proper software. I know that CasMate and Flexi Sign are both used for engraving, vinyl-cutting, and large-format printing... and both do vector-graphics, and generate all sorts of dials, rulers, calibration and tickmarks... and all you do is select the option you want in the drop-drown menu, then, assign the variables... size of the dial, thickness of the strokes, depth, how many, numbers or characters and where you want them... etc. But like silkscreening... it's the first layout that takes a little time designing. After that, you're just pulling-up a file and reproducing it, or editing it.
Just my $02/100
I'll shut-up now. : |
~Morbius~
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Deyo
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] saving money with tickmark discs
That's cool. I didn't know about that. I just saw Dave's CVS module -- crazy! I love it!
I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and go from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy indeed. It's a morally gray area :)
Scott Deyo
The Bridechamber
contact@bridechamber.com
www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 3:50 PM, xamboldt wrote:
If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I
believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site.
-Chris On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote:
>
> It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those
> things
> that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of
> thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting
> tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look
> or feel ugly?
>
> --
> David Griffith
> dgriffi@cs.csubak.edu
>
>2007-09-28 by Scott Deyo
Hi Morbius, If that's your $.02, I'll throw in a dollar to hear more! It's really good to know the biz side of things, and how other places do it. How hard is it to have a nice textured paint finish (like DotCom, for instance ;) on an engraved panel? That's my biggest beef w/ FPE -- they just look so flat, and scratch easily. Scott Deyo The Bridechamber contact@bridechamber.com www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:44 PM, ~Morbius~ wrote: > Just as an info kinda thing.... Having been an engraver and working > in the sign biz for since the 80's, I can tell you that > reverse-engraving (or front engraving) and paint-filling (or spraying) > is going to be more expensive since it is so much more > labor-intensive. I had, at one time, considered reverse-engraving > either plexi, or lexan... and illuminating it either from the side(s) > or the back. The rear is painted black, and the graphics are painted > whatever color you want (or use colored a light-source and leave the > engraved clear)... That makes all of the text, graphics, and tickmarks > light-up (and looks very impressive). When I was in Nashville, I > worked at a sign company which did all of the engraving work and > awards for the Country Music Awards.... Opryland... all of the big > hotels.... and our engraving department was the largest department in > the whole place, with 5 fulltime engravers working 5 days a week, 9 > hours a day. We built a lot of stuff from scratch in plexi and lexan, > and had every type of equipment needed... from plainers to routing > tables... from acetylene torches to 'weld-on' (plexi glue) and > paint-booths. Like most things, you get what you pay for... and if you > go with 'cheap', it's gonna look 'cheap'. > > A much cheaper way would be to have the 'dial' (with the tickmark > calibration) printed onto adhesive vinyl. But here again, quantities > are really needed to make it cost effective. Where it can be printed > more cheaply on a Fargo or any large-format printer... cutting-out the > 'stickers' becomes the issue. There are a few large-format printers > which are also plotter/cutters... and they can do the entire operation > from the file. But- it's still a matter of 'do you want 'stickers... > or silkscreened, or engraved'? The 'look' one wants, is gonna have > everthing to do with the cost... just like the quantity is going to > affect the price... (or price per unit). > > Laser-engraving is the way to go with many materials. And usually, > besides the laser doing the engraving, it also cuts-out each unit from > the material blanks. > Making the tickmarks is no big deal... that is, with the proper > software. I know that CasMate and Flexi Sign are both used for > engraving, vinyl-cutting, and large-format printing... and both do > vector-graphics, and generate all sorts of dials, rulers, calibration > and tickmarks... and all you do is select the option you want in the > drop-drown menu, then, assign the variables... size of the dial, > thickness of the strokes, depth, how many, numbers or characters and > where you want them... etc. But like silkscreening... it's the first > layout that takes a little time designing. After that, you're just > pulling-up a file and reproducing it, or editing it. > > Just my $02/100 > I'll shut-up now. : | > > ~Morbius~ >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Scott Deyo >> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com >> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 5:10 PM >> Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] saving money with tickmark discs >> >> That's cool. I didn't know about that. I just saw Dave's CVS module >> -- crazy! I love it! >> >> I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and go >> from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy >> indeed. It's a morally gray area :) >> >> Scott Deyo >> The Bridechamber >> contact@... >> www.bridechamber.com >> >> >> On Sep 28, 2007, at 3:50 PM, xamboldt wrote: >> >>> If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I >>> believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site. >>> >>> -Chris >>> >>> On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote: >>> >>> > >>> > It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those >>> > things >>> > that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch >>> of >>> > thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting >>> > tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it >>> look >>> > or feel ugly? >>> > >>> > -- >>> > David Griffith >>> > dgriffi@....edu >>> > >>> > >>> > >
2007-09-28 by Richard Brewster
You can download my Matrix Mixer FPD panel here: http://www.pugix.com/middle-cabinet.htm#matrixmixer http://www.pugix.com/files/matrix-mixer.fpd It uses HPGL tick marks together with my standard MOTM format. Richard Brewster xamboldt wrote:
> If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I > believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site. > > -Chris > > On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote: > > >> It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those >> things >> that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of >> thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting >> tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look >> or feel ugly? >> >> -- >> David Griffith >> dgriffi@... >> >> >> > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > >
2007-09-28 by ~Morbius~
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott DeyoSent: Friday, September 28, 2007 6:11 PMSubject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: saving money with tickmark discsHi Morbius,
If that's your $.02, I'll throw in a dollar to hear more! It's really good to know the biz side of things, and how other places do it.
How hard is it to have a nice textured paint finish (like DotCom, for instance ;) on an engraved panel? That's my biggest beef w/ FPE -- they just look so flat, and scratch easily.
Scott Deyo
The Bridechamber
contact@...m
www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:44 PM, ~Morbius~ wrote:
Just as an info kinda thing.... Having been an engraver and working in the sign biz for since the 80's, I can tell you that reverse-engraving (or front engraving) and paint-filling (or spraying) is going to be more expensive since it is so much more labor-intensive. I had, at one time, considered reverse-engraving either plexi, or lexan... and illuminating it either from the side(s) or the back. The rear is painted black, and the graphics are painted whatever color you want (or use colored a light-source and leave the engraved clear)... That makes all of the text, graphics, and tickmarks light-up (and looks very impressive). When I was in Nashville, I worked at a sign company which did all of the engraving work and awards for the Country Music Awards.... Opryland... all of the big hotels.... and our engraving department was the largest department in the whole place, with 5 fulltime engravers working 5 days a week, 9 hours a day. We built a lot of stuff from scratch in plexi and lexan, and had every type of equipment needed... from plainers to routing tables... from acetylene torches to 'weld-on' (plexi glue) and paint-booths. Like most things, you get what you pay for... and if you go with 'cheap', it's gonna look 'cheap'.
A much cheaper way would be to have the 'dial' (with the tickmark calibration) printed onto adhesive vinyl. But here again, quantities are really needed to make it cost effective. Where it can be printed more cheaply on a Fargo or any large-format printer... cutting-out the 'stickers' becomes the issue. There are a few large-format printers which are also plotter/cutters... and they can do the entire operation from the file. But- it's still a matter of 'do you want 'stickers... or silkscreened, or engraved'? The 'look' one wants, is gonna have everthing to do with the cost... just like the quantity is going to affect the price... (or price per unit).
Laser-engraving is the way to go with many materials. And usually, besides the laser doing the engraving, it also cuts-out each unit from the material blanks.
Making the tickmarks is no big deal... that is, with the proper software. ;I know that CasMate and Flexi Sign are both used for engraving, vinyl-cutting, and large-format printing... and both do vector-graphics, and generate all sorts of dials, rulers, calibration and tickmarks... and all you do is select the option you want in the drop-drown menu, then, assign the variables... size of the dial, thickness of the strokes, depth, how many, numbers or characters and where you want them... etc. But like silkscreening... it's the first layout that takes a little time designing. After that, you're just pulling-up a file and reproducing it, or editing it.
Just my $02/100
I'll shut-up now. : |
~Morbius~
----- Original Message -----
From: Scott Deyo
To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 5:10 PM
Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] saving money with tickmark discs
That's cool. I didn't know about that. I just saw Dave's CVS module -- crazy! I love it!
I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and go from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy indeed. It's a morally gray area :)
Scott Deyo
The Bridechamber
contact@bridechamber.com
www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 3:50 PM, xamboldt wrote:
If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I
believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site.
-Chris
On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote:
>
> It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those
> things
> that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of
> thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting
> tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look
> or feel ugly?
>
> --
> David Griffith
> dgriffi@cs.csubak.edu
>
>
2007-09-28 by John Mahoney
How hard is it to have a nice textured paint finish (like DotCom, for instance ;) on an engraved panel? That's my biggest beef w/ FPE -- they just look so flat, and scratch easily.
2007-09-29 by loopcycle
--- John Mahoney <jmahoney@...> wrote:
> Dotcom and MOTM panels are powder coated.
Just for the record, Paul S has previously said (about his MOTM panels):
"The MOTM modules, both Frac and 5U tall, are *not* powder coated ...
They are painted with Sherman-Williams Polane B polyurethane using an
undercoat. The panels are then baked in an oven for 2 hours. The silkscreen is
a DuPont epoxy-based enamel."
(I took this from modularsynth.net, where we've discussed this a little before)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Fussy? Opinionated? Impossible to please? Perfect. Join Yahoo!'s user panel and lay it on us. http://surveylink.yahoo.com/gmrs/yahoo_panel_invite.asp?a=72007-09-29 by John Mahoney
At 08:38 PM 9/28/2007, loopcycle wrote: >Just for the record, Paul S has previously said (about his MOTM panels): > >"The MOTM modules, both Frac and 5U tall, are *not* powder coated ... >They are painted with Sherman-Williams Polane B polyurethane using an >undercoat. The panels are then baked in an oven for 2 hours. The >silkscreen is >a DuPont epoxy-based enamel." > >(I took this from modularsynth.net, where we've discussed this a >little before) LOL! I first wrote something like "I think that dotcom and MOTM ...", but I deleted the "I think" part before posting. I was so sure, for a second, there. Sigh. Now that you've posted this info, I remember reading about the MOTM panels. Paul said that he had trouble finding a place to do it, at one point (or maybe at more than one point). I don't think it's an easy thing to find. The dotcom panels may also NOT be powder coated. Sorry. Forget what I said! :-) -- john -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.488 / Virus Database: 269.13.33/1034 - Release Date: 9/27/2007 5:00 PM
2007-09-29 by David Griffith
On Fri, 28 Sep 2007, loopcycle wrote: > --- John Mahoney <jmahoney@...> wrote: > > > Dotcom and MOTM panels are powder coated. > > > Just for the record, Paul S has previously said (about his MOTM panels): > > "The MOTM modules, both Frac and 5U tall, are *not* powder coated ... > They are painted with Sherman-Williams Polane B polyurethane using an > undercoat. The panels are then baked in an oven for 2 hours. The > silkscreen is a DuPont epoxy-based enamel." I wish Paia would so something like that for their panels. The silk-screening is/was so delicate that if you bump it with a fingernail, you'll gougue out ink. -- David Griffith dgriffi@... A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text. Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing? A: Top-posting. Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?
2007-09-29 by Suit & Tie Guy
On Sep 28, 2007, at 8:42 PM, John Mahoney wrote: > The dotcom panels may also NOT be powder coated. according to the Synthesizers.com technical page, aka "the dotcom standards reference manual": "Panels are made of .062" aluminum, sanded, formed on the sides for strength, masked, painted, textured, then silkscreen printed." --- Suit & Tie Guy suitandtieguy.com stgsoundlabs.com
2007-09-29 by Samppa Tolvanen
On 9/29/07, Scott Deyo <contact@...> wrote: > > I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and go > from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy indeed. > It's a morally gray area :) > http://www.schaeffer-ag.de - the original author of the software, sells .dxf export filter for the product. (In this same group we had discussion about it in the May and the price was 90e) - Is it only for viewing designs in other cad programs? I can see "Front Panel Express, LLC" licence agreement saying: "1.5 User is allowed to use the data generated with the software in two ways: 1) he may store them as documents or 2) he may send them to the manufacturer to deal with the data in the context of certain other contracts." I'd deal directly with Schaeffer and what restrictions apply to the export filter usage. You might be getting, What I call, "excellent cad software made just for this work" for ~$125. (Do Your macroelements (learn object group alignments, rotation), then just copy-paste-move, re-enter text ect.) Samppa
2007-09-29 by Scott Deyo
I was over at Great River Electronics (Dan helps me w/ PCB stuff), and I can't remember how they do their panels; I'll have to ask again. They are well-nigh indestructible and look beautiful, but you pay for it. I think a 2U rack unit frontpanel was $100 for them. When your equalizer is $2k, you can get away w/ that :) Scott Deyo The Bridechamber contact@bridechamber.com www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 28, 2007, at 6:21 PM, ~Morbius~ wrote: > Well... my guess is that the type of paint used is what forms the > texture. You may be thinking "well yeah... duh?!". In the engraving > world (by and large), 'textures' are made, or formed into the > engraving material blanks themselves. These aren't usually thick > pieces of metal (like module blanks), but usually plastic... and > certainly not what one would use AS a module. Again, it goes back to > numbers... if you know you are going to do X-100 or X-1000, then it > becomes much more economically feasible.... to do metal blanks, and > silkscreen them. It seems to me that there is a place near me, which > my tech told me that this company does exactly that... make just about > anything out of any kind of sheet-metal... be it aluminum, or > whatever. The can make control-boxes (the housings), or module > faces... the do the cutting, bending, painting, punching, printing... > everything (so he said). I think the name of the place is "Ten-Tech" > or "Tenn Tec"... something like that... and they're in Sevierville, > Tn., on Dolly Parton Pkwy. I've passed by the place, but have never > gone in. As I understand it... you could take them a sample or example > of what you want done, and they can take it from there. > > As for engraving on textured metal... I dunno. That seems to be an > element from two different worlds... in that, by using textured paint > on aluminum, I think the only option may just be to silkscreen the > graphics. Engraving metal is done, but it's usually a very thin > gauge... and basically, it's scratched into the surface. Think of > trophies and plaques. When you see something engraved with two or more > colors, it's either multi-colored engraving materieal (which is > plastic), or something like plexi or lexan, and engraved, and > sometimes paint-filled, or spray painted. The quick and simple > method... spray-paint the back side one color... let it dry... then > engrave the lettering, and paint-fill or spray the letter/grahic 2nd > color into the engraved part... and this is all on the back-side of > the material. But- that's only good of plastics/plexi/lexan... not > metal. > > There are some metal blanks, made for laser-engraving, which are one > color on the front surface, and the laser-engraving burns away that > top surface color, revealing a second color beneath.... usually gold > or brass-looking color. There may be some new materials on the market > now. I've been out of it for 5-6 years. > > Hope this was of some help... or at least, of interest. > > ~Morbius~ > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Scott Deyo >> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com >> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 6:11 PM >> Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] Re: saving money with tickmark discs >> >> Hi Morbius, >> >> If that's your $.02, I'll throw in a dollar to hear more! It's really >> good to know the biz side of things, and how other places do it. >> >> How hard is it to have a nice textured paint finish (like DotCom, for >> instance ;) on an engraved panel? That's my biggest beef w/ FPE -- >> they just look so flat, and scratch easily. >> >> Scott Deyo >> The Bridechamber >> contact@bridechamber.com >> www.bridechamber.com >> >> >> On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:44 PM, ~Morbius~ wrote: >> >>> Just as an info kinda thing.... Having been an engraver and working >>> in the sign biz for since the 80's, I can tell you that >>> reverse-engraving (or front engraving) and paint-filling (or >>> spraying) is going to be more expensive since it is so much more >>> labor-intensive. I had, at one time, considered reverse-engraving >>> either plexi, or lexan... and illuminating it either from the >>> side(s) or the back. The rear is painted black, and the graphics are >>> painted whatever color you want (or use colored a light-source and >>> leave the engraved clear)... That makes all of the text, graphics, >>> and tickmarks light-up (and looks very impressive). When I was in >>> Nashville, I worked at a sign company which did all of the engraving >>> work and awards for the Country Music Awards.... Opryland... all of >>> the big hotels.... and our engraving department was the largest >>> department in the whole place, with 5 fulltime engravers working 5 >>> days a week, 9 hours a day. We built a lot of stuff from scratch in >>> plexi and lexan, and had every type of equipment needed... from >>> plainers to routing tables... from acetylene torches to 'weld-on' >>> (plexi glue) and paint-booths. Like most things, you get what you >>> pay for... and if you go with 'cheap', it's gonna look 'cheap'. >>> >>> A much cheaper way would be to have the 'dial' (with the tickmark >>> calibration) printed onto adhesive vinyl. But here again, quantities >>> are really needed to make it cost effective. Where it can be printed >>> more cheaply on a Fargo or any large-format printer... cutting-out >>> the 'stickers' becomes the issue. There are a few large-format >>> printers which are also plotter/cutters... and they can do the >>> entire operation from the file. But- it's still a matter of 'do you >>> want 'stickers... or silkscreened, or engraved'? The 'look' one >>> wants, is gonna have everthing to do with the cost... just like the >>> quantity is going to affect the price... (or price per unit). >>> >>> Laser-engraving is the way to go with many materials. And usually, >>> besides the laser doing the engraving, it also cuts-out each unit >>> from the material blanks. >>> Making the tickmarks is no big deal... that is, with the proper >>> software. I know that CasMate and Flexi Sign are both used for >>> engraving, vinyl-cutting, and large-format printing... and both do >>> vector-graphics, and generate all sorts of dials, rulers, >>> calibration and tickmarks... and all you do is select the option >>> you want in the drop-drown menu, then, assign the variables... size >>> of the dial, thickness of the strokes, depth, how many, numbers or >>> characters and where you want them... etc. But like silkscreening... >>> it's the first layout that takes a little time designing. After >>> that, you're just pulling-up a file and reproducing it, or editing >>> it. >>> >>> Just my $02/100 >>> I'll shut-up now. : | >>> >>> ~Morbius~ >>>> ----- Original Message ----- >>>> From: Scott Deyo >>>> To: ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com >>>> Sent: Friday, September 28, 2007 5:10 PM >>>> Subject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] saving money with tickmark discs >>>> >>>> That's cool. I didn't know about that. I just saw Dave's CVS module >>>> -- crazy! I love it! >>>> >>>> I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and >>>> go from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy >>>> indeed. It's a morally gray area :) >>>> >>>> Scott Deyo >>>> The Bridechamber >>>> contact@... >>>> www.bridechamber.com >>>> >>>> >>>> On Sep 28, 2007, at 3:50 PM, xamboldt wrote: >>>> >>>>> If you use HPGL to make the tick marks, it saves some money. I >>>>> believe you can find some example fpd files on Dave Brown's site. >>>>> >>>>> -Chris >>>>> >>>>> On Sep 28, 2007, at 4:21 PM, David Griffith wrote: >>>>> >>>>> > >>>>> > It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those >>>>> > things >>>>> > that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a >>>>> bunch of >>>>> > thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of >>>>> putting >>>>> > tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would >>>>> it look >>>>> > or feel ugly? >>>>> > >>>>> > -- >>>>> > David Griffith >>>>> > dgriffi@... >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>> > >
2007-09-29 by Scott Deyo
I thought about it when I started Bridechamber, to just send fpd's to my metal guys. But I'd still have to lay it out in Illustrator (or similar) for the silkscreeners. So I just draw the mechanical up by hand. There is really not much variation in the panels, so it's easy this way. If I get into doing one-offs, I may send some money to FPE and let people send their designs that way. I'd still end up redoing the graphics in Illustrator, but this way I'd know exactly what the customer wants. Cheers, Scott Deyo The Bridechamber contact@... www.bridechamber.com
On Sep 29, 2007, at 4:22 AM, Samppa Tolvanen wrote: > On 9/29/07, Scott Deyo <contact@...> wrote: > > > > I can't legally use fpd files, though I think I can view them and go > > from there. But they did make the software, and it's very handy > indeed. > > It's a morally gray area :) > > > > http://www.schaeffer-ag.de - the original author of the software, > sells .dxf export filter for the product. (In this same group we had > discussion about it in the May and the price was 90e) - Is it only for > viewing designs in other cad programs? > > I can see "Front Panel Express, LLC" licence agreement saying: > "1.5 User is allowed to use the data generated with the software in > two ways: 1) he may store them as documents or 2) he may send them to > the manufacturer to deal with the data in the context of certain other > contracts." > > I'd deal directly with Schaeffer and what restrictions apply to the > export filter usage. > > You might be getting, What I call, "excellent cad software made just > for this work" for ~$125. (Do Your macroelements (learn object group > alignments, rotation), then just copy-paste-move, re-enter text ect.) > > Samppa > >
2007-09-29 by peng3002
--- In ModularSynthPanels@yahoogroups.com, David Griffith <dgriffi@...> wrote: > It seems to me that making tickmarks around pots is one of those things > that really add to the cost of panels. Suppose you make up a bunch of > thin discs with tickmarks on them and use those instead of putting > tickmarks directly on the panels. Would this be cheaper? Would it look > or feel ugly? How about no tickmarks? I don't see them as essential at all. I've always liked the Oakley panel look over the MOTM. For patch notation I use clock settings (12', 3', etc.) to remember knob positions so tick marks aren't important to me. Of course this is very subjective. You can save on FPE panels by not using infill colors (which add $8-10)and just leave the engravings raw. Here's an example: http://www.sdiy.org/peng/modulesale/Synthaconsale.htm Scroll down the page to see some detail. For bipolar attenuators I use one tick at 12 o'clock with a minus to the left and a plus to the right of this tick. peng
2007-09-30 by Samppa Tolvanen
On 9/29/07, Scott Deyo <contact@...> wrote: > I thought about it when I started Bridechamber, to just send fpd's to > my metal guys. But I'd still have to lay it out in Illustrator (or > similar) for the silkscreeners. So I just draw the mechanical up by > hand. There is really not much variation in the panels, so it's easy > this way. > ;) or Understood.. > If I get into doing one-offs, I may send some money to FPE and let > people send their designs that way. I'd still end up redoing the > graphics in Illustrator, but this way I'd know exactly what the > customer wants. > Didn't Illustrator import dxf drawings? I'm ready to put $20 for FrontPanel Desinger dxf export filter purchase for Bridechamber. Samppa
2007-10-02 by contact@bridechamber.com
----- Original Message -----From: Samppa TolvanenSent: Saturday, September 29, 2007 11:23 PMSubject: Re: [ModularSynthPanels] saving money with tickmark discsOn 9/29/07, Scott Deyo <contact@bridechamber.com> wrote:
> I thought about it when I started Bridechamber, to just send fpd's to
> my metal guys. But I'd still have to lay it out in Illustrator (or
> similar) for the silkscreeners. So I just draw the mechanical up by
> hand. There is really not much variation in the panels, so it's easy
> this way.
>
;) or Understood..
> If I get into doing one-offs, I may send some money to FPE and let
> people send their designs that way. I'd still end up redoing the
> graphics in Illustrator, but this way I'd know exactly what the
> customer wants.
>
Didn't Illustrator import dxf drawings? I'm ready to put $20 for
FrontPanel Desinger dxf export filter purchase for Bridechamber.
Samppa