DavidBanner Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 Some of you know about my dB Live project and for those who don't it's an Ableton Live Controller.I've just got the panels back from the screen printers and now I am waiting on the run of PCBs I ordered (should be this week).Here are some shots of the case:I'll keep you updated.... Quote
Screaming_Rabbit Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 Holy shit... what did that punching and bending cost? - Beautiful! Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Posted January 23, 2008 Holy shit... what did that punching and bending cost? - Beautiful!cheers SR!well it wasn't cheap, but not outrageous considering the quality of the work... Quote
Twin-X Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 When do you take orders for the groupbuy ;D ;D ;D Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Posted January 23, 2008 When do you take orders for the groupbuy ;D ;D ;Dhehehe - you're not gonna trap me that way mate, I got enough email in my inbox as it is :Pstill a long way to go before anything like that could even be thought about.Once I get the 1st manufactured PCB run back (did the prototypes by hand), tested, tweaked etc, software finished and debugged, then MAYBE we might possibly think about perhaps doing a group buy ;) Quote
cimo Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 thumbs up!! finally we can see (part of) the long awaited dB live.. looks like a great casing solution, can you point us at the manufacturer ? looking forward to see the restsimone Quote
nILS Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 The case looks really nice and professional :D I love that you didn't just create a front panel and stuck it to some box =) Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Posted January 23, 2008 thanks for the kind words guys!the case was made by a firm in the UK - they don't do small runs normally, but I was lucky and they cut me a break.I can hook you up with the details if you want to p/m me. But unless you are UK based it's not going to be economical. Quote
dstamand Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 Wow! Send me the dxf file ::) and i'm going to built one. I'll use Laser, not Punching.That is a beauty! Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 23, 2008 Author Report Posted January 23, 2008 laser won't work with this design, well I couldn't find any laser companies who could do it, only one place would even try and they had a nightmare.... Quote
dstamand Posted January 23, 2008 Report Posted January 23, 2008 laser won't work with this design, well I couldn't find any laser companies who could do it, only one place would even try and they had a nightmare....Stainless Steel, would be just fine with Laser but $$++ Quote
cimo Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 ... flash! baa aack .... (sing it like you were Freddy Mercury) Quote
Wilba Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 Looks awesome!What goes in the triangle shaped holes? Did you find some triangle shaped LEDs? Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Posted January 24, 2008 Stainless Steel, would be just fine with Laser but $$++and HEAVY! this baby is designed to go into hand luggage with a laptop for flights.... Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Posted January 24, 2008 Looks awesome!What goes in the triangle shaped holes? Did you find some triangle shaped LEDs?Thanks Wilba!Yes, I have triangle LEDs going into those holes.I originally wanted a "halo ring" sort of thing, but after lots of experimentation, attempts at sourcing (read begging, extortion and death threats to get hold of) and breaking the Xzone-3d in Fabric while working out "how do they do that?" - I decided to go for the triangle LEDs. I really glad I did now, I'm well happy with the old skool/mil spec feel they give! Quote
Sasha Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 Superb quality panel!I need to say 1mm lasercut steel isn`t so heavy you might think, especially if you take into account strength it got with just 1mm thickness or even less. It is also way much cheaper than aluminum and can be painted using normal car paints. So, my advise for you that have some laser service at hand... try steal, and you want be disappointed. ;) Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 24, 2008 Author Report Posted January 24, 2008 I didn't really think about going for 1mm S-Steel, it's a good point you make about the strength vs thickness.Do they have the same issues with laser flashbacks with S-Steel as they do with Aluminium?I'll keep my eyes out for a friendly laser guy over the next few weeks/months.... Quote
Sasha Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 I didn't really think about going for 1mm S-Steel, it's a good point you make about the strength vs thickness.Exactly. 1mm is enough for biggest panels you want to make, and for smaller ones it is super strong. One times I couldn`t afford to have another 3mm top panel as I already had 3mm acrylic subpanel so my fader shafts didn`t stick out enough. Lasercut steal would be perfect but I didn`t know about the service in that time. I had so much trouble doing it right.Do they have the same issues with laser flashbacks with S-Steel as they do with Aluminium?I`m no sure what you mean when say flashbacks. I actually never seen laser machine for metal in work as service is not in my home town, but according to material they sent me I see no problems. Line isn`t completely smooth as CNC milled but it is still very good. I bet it could be much smoother if they adjust the speed and power better. I love lasers... made my life much easier and keep my hands in good condition! Quote
Therezin Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 I`m no sure what you mean when say flashbacks. Laser flashback occurs when you're lasercutting a reflective material (like aluminium) - some of the beam reflects back from the cutting service and burns the laser optics. Quote
bugfight Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 stainless steel is actually relatively soft.aluminum and steel both have various alloys that give different properties.also strength and stiffness are different. Quote
Sasha Posted January 24, 2008 Report Posted January 24, 2008 Thank you Therezin. I doubt flashback is the problem or they wouldn`t do it. But they do it, so I guess there are some kind of replaceable protective screen or something like that. Anyway, I don`t care as long as they cut what I want.It reminds me of the local supermarket excuses... Some of them use and some refuse to use circular delicatessen machine to cut cheese. They say it makes cutting disk lose sharpness quicker than when used just for cutting salami. Funny. Machines are made to work as much as they can to make money and not to last forever, and look like they just exit the factory. I get an impression often that some people like their machine be clean rather than be busy. Don`t get me wrong, I take care of my tools. Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Posted January 25, 2008 The PCBS arrived today! I see a weekend of soldering and testing ahead of me.... Quote
Sasha Posted January 25, 2008 Report Posted January 25, 2008 So you let the pros to make you PCBs. How much did it cost you, and which service is it? Looking good. Quote
DavidBanner Posted January 25, 2008 Author Report Posted January 25, 2008 I did protos of all the boards by hand myself, but I sent out the job to the pros in the end, so I could carry spare boards on tour which could drop in and out, and also take the stress of the job - uber thin traces + buttons on the pcb + DIY etch using UV method is not a great idea.I used Olimex for the service, 5 day turnaround, 7 days postage wait.I used a DSQ and a DSS - http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.