Wiardgroup

about half of my modular (http://www.fluxmonkey.com/fluxGear.htm) 
has fiberglass front panels... my local surpus shop had a boxload of 
double-thick, doublesided blank PCBs almost perfectly sized as 2wice 
a standard frac module.  biggest advantage for me is workability--i 
don't have a metal shop or shear available, and the fiberglass is 
much easier to cut and shape in the basement.  obviously, i'm not 
taking advantage of the etching/silkscreening possibilites...  i 
basically glue on paper and cover it w/ laminating plastic... tho i 
suppose even my utilitarian version has it's aesthetic... but i can 
vouch for the electrical and mechanical soundness of the idea.

we'll will be be at AHMW next weekend... any other wiardo's goin?

bbob


--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Grant Richter" <grichter@...> 
wrote:
>...If the 
> buying public was willing to accept faceplates made from 
fiberglass instead of metal, it 
> would open the floodgates to new module designs.
> 
> You can hardly see the difference either, the fiberglass is 
painted and silkscreened just like 
> the metal. Plus fiberglass is lighter and stiffer.
> 
> I have heard this idea repeatedly from many people, but no one 
believes people will buy 
> modules with fiberglass faceplates. It is not historical.
> 
> There are also design advantages to PC material faceplates. The 
faceplate can become part 
> of the circuit. Touch switches for triggers or mode selects are 
essentially free. Things that 
> are expensive in metal, like slots for linear pots or perforated 
grills for speakers, now cost 
> a few pennies instead of a few dollars.
> 
> It is a practical idea, but the world is not yet ready for it.
>