155 replies to this topic

[TK.]

I'm in contact with www.heidenreich.de for manufacturing nice looking aluminum desktop cases based on their
"Multiformis" system which can be used for 17"/3U frontpanels like Wilba's MBSEQ frontpanel, but also for other purposes/MIDIboxes.

After some alignment discussions I got a prototype and I must say that I'm really happy with the results!

Note that this is only a "quick prototype" with untreated aluminum for checking the dimensions with existing components
(frontpanel, MBSEQ_CORE_STM32 and other modules).
The final option could be anodized black!

/update: picture of the black case:



More pictures and additional comments: see this album

Estimated price: ca. 50..60 EUR if we order at least 10 pieces
We will get better prices if we order higher quantities.
Note that the price doesn't include the front- and backpanel, they have to be ordered separately (e.g. at Schaeffer or from julianf
More informations about the backpanel soon.

If you are interested in this desktop case, please add your username to this list:
http://www.midibox.o...case_bulk_order

Update: here are the exact measures:
http://www.ucapps.de...se_measures.pdf

FPD File for Backpanel:
http://www.ucapps.de...kpanel_v1_1.zip
NOTE: not compatible with new MBHP_CORE_LPC17 module, since the Ethernet socket is now part of the Core PCB!

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Altitude]

Very Nice! Will this include the bottom panel? Also, how are the panels (top, rear, bottom) attached to the frame?

Edited by Altitude, 15 August 2010 - 12:42.

[TK.]

Yes, it even contains a "dummy" backpanel if somebody wants to drill the holes by himself.

Only the frontpanel is excluded to save costs.

Mounting: see the comments of these pictures:
http://midibox.org/f...ewimage&img=423
http://midibox.org/f...ewimage&img=424

Future frontpanels should have 1 mm extrusions to "stick" the panel into the frame.

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Altitude]

got it. Didn't see the slots initially. So the extrusion is 1mm deep 1mm thick? I have been holding off on ordering my front panel..

[TK.]

So the extrusion is 1mm deep 1mm thick? I have been holding off on ordering my front panel..

yes, correct

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[phunk]

Hi Thorsten,

great Case! Looks very promising.

Will the natural looking alloy be anodized as well, so that the color fits the Schaeffer natural alloy panels?

Thanks,
ph

[TK.]

Will the natural looking alloy be anodized as well, so that the color fits the Schaeffer natural alloy panels?

Yes, it will be anodized as well

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[monokinetic]

Wow, it looks great!

I have an old MB Seq panel (from the V3 template posted on ucapps) which is 19 inch. Would it be possible to use this case, and have the extra length of the 19 inch case as rack ears? Or does the whole front panel have to sit inside the case?

David

[TK.]

I have an old MB Seq panel (from the V3 template posted on ucapps) which is 19 inch. Would it be possible to use this case, and have the extra length of the 19 inch case as rack ears? Or does the whole front panel have to sit inside the case?

It's inside the case, see also this picture: http://midibox.org/f...ewimage&img=430

Your panel could be used after the rack ears are cut with a milling machine - maybe there is a company close to your location which could do this? It isn't much work, so it shouldn't cost that much money (maybe 10 EUR and/or a crate of beer ;))

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[monokinetic]

Hi tk,
Ok thanks for the clarification. I had a feeling that would be the situation, I guess I will have to put my name down anyway and wait patiently on the front panel group buy, then I can have 2 MBSeqs ;)

David

[bugfight]

mmmmmm me likey.
i would take several as these will be useful for many projects.
can't edit wiki tho, login fails...

[JohnnieBee]

Hi Bugfight

Just encountered the same problem ........ you have to register to access the wiki ....... I used exactly the same username/password as the forums ....... seemed to work!

Cheers

John

[fussylizard]

TK,

How did you solve the issue of spacers on the other boards that go to the rear panel? As you noted the CORE32 has the spacers moved back due to the USB jack, but the other boards do not have that. I have been considering how to do this on another case and was planning to use panel-mount MIDI jacks (those nice shiny ones that Bugfight likes) and a panel-mounted USB cable extender (http://www.cablestog...=1532&sku=28070). But I still have a problem with the SD card mounting holes (pity I have not been able to find a panel-mounted SD card jack). I was thinking I would use two small L brackets to connect the board to the rear panel, but I'm open to better ideas...

BTW It looks like from this picture (http://midibox.org/f...ewimage&img=427) that the connectors on the corners can rotate to change the angle of the case depending on how tall the rear panel is. Very clever. In this same picture you can also see the 1mm extrusion on the back panel holding it in place.

Thanks,
C

[TK.]

Bugfight: if login to the Wiki is still failing please contact Twin-X


Since we already got more than 10 pre-orders for the case, I will ask Heidenreich for a first run with 10 pieces next week (this week the whole company is still on vacation).
Upcoming runs could include higher quantities, but it's better to rampup this slowly.


I finished my backpanel and will order it at Schaeffer today:


It includes:

• A power socket + switch. The appr. "power board" will be provided by Wilba
  
• USB and 2 MIDI IO pairs of the MBHP_CORE_STM32 module
  
• slot for SD Card -> Seppoman's MBHP_SDCARD module
  
• OSC (ethernet socket) -> Seepoman's MBHP_ETH module
  
• 25 pin SubD socket for AOUT module connection + gates + clock outputs. I will assign the pins exactly like on my MB-6582, so that I can simply re-use the same breakout box for both MIDIboxes depending on the situation
  
• 4 additional MIDI OUTs and a BLM socket (7-pin DIN) soldered on a veroboard, since an appr. PCB doesn't exist

I will make the .fpd file public once I got and tested the panel.
A bulk order for such a panel will be difficult, as it's almost impossible to find a compromise. E.g., OSC is currently only a "nice-to-have" option, additional OUTs are expensive (since this option requires 4 MBHP_IIC_MIDI modules), BLM is not used by most people, and instead of a CV/Gates/Clk extension port some of you probably prefer an integrated solution.
Therefore it's better when people modify and order such a backpanel individually.

/update: picture of the backpanel:


Best Regards, Thorsten.

[bugfight]

i did a pw reset and got in.

it might be a good idea to send one pkg to the states and then distribute. otoh, it might cost just as much. anywayz, if we want to try that, i would be willing to do the dirty work...

[Altitude]

bf beat me to it. That was my question also, shipping to the states..

[TK.]

Shipping to the states: please align this with Nils, he will handle the shipping

Best Regards, Thorsten.

[Davo]

Where can I get just the aluminum extrusions? I have a couple projects in mind that call for rectangular prisms.

[Wilba]

TK, you should probably invite Polykobol into this bulk order, or he will annoy you every Sunday afternoon for three months until you finally get around to running another bulk order. Just saying.

[TK.]

Where can I get just the aluminum extrusions? I have a couple projects in mind that call for rectangular prisms.

E.g. at Schaeffer - but I'm not sure if this is the cheapest solution.

TK, you should probably invite Polykobol into this bulk order, or he will annoy you every Sunday afternoon for three months until you finally get around to running another bulk order. Just saying.

Good point (you know him very well ;))
In fact he already requested two cases as one of the first guys, but probably hasn't found out how to enter his name into the Wiki yet

Best Regards, Thorsten.