Doepfer

OKW seem to offer some interesting stuff in the US.

http://www.okwenclosures.com/

--- In Doepfer_a100@yahoogroups.com, "Dieter Doepfer" <hardware@d...> 
wrote:
> Concerning the discussions about the prices of the A-100 frames 
this is my
> answer:
> 
> If desired we could offer all the spare parts (rails with and 
without
> "lips", threaded inserts, side plates, top and bottom covers, 
screws and so
> on). It will take some time to have all parts permanently in stock 
as we
> have to find out the demand (i.e. how many rails, inserts, side 
plates,
> covers ... are ordered per month on average). So far we purchase 
only
> complete frames from our supplier (ProMa).
> 
> But I have to point out that if you built e.g. the A-100G6 from 
these parts
> it will be not cheaper than the A-100G6 as a whole. Only if you 
built your
> own frame and use e.g. only the rails to combine them with your own 
side
> plates and top/bottom cover you can save money (look at the A-100 
DIY page
> for a suggestion). You may even save money if you use normal M3 
nuts instead
> of the threaded inserts but it will be a bit tricky to move the 
nuts at the
> right positions to assemble the modules.
> 
> I'm in the 19" business since many years (even our PMS and VMS 
systems of
> the eighties of the last century were was 19" based). I know all the
> manufacturers (Schroff, Knuerr, Fischer, and so on) but from my 
knowledge
> they are much more expensive than our supplier (ProMa). If anyone 
knows a
> cheaper supplier please let me know (I asked several times without 
response
> so far). Especially I'm not familiar with US suppliers. We are 
permanently
> looking for a cheaper solution and found e.g. a manufacturer with 
better
> prices in India. But the shipment charges from India to Germany 
would eat up
> the lower prices.
> 
> Another way to save money per U is to built bigger frames - 
especially
> suitcase versions (some may remember the "A-100 monster rack" we 
will
> probably show at the Frankfurt Musikmesse and that can be seen soon 
in Los
> Angeles in the Analogue Haven shop). E.g. one PSUII is normally 
sufficient
> to drive 3 or 4 bus boards resp. 12U ("A-100G12") and you will need 
only one
> (expensive) top/bottom cover, only one power inlet/switch/fuse 
holder and so
> on.
> 
> I'm open for all solutions that could save money for the modules 
frames as I
> can remember when I was looking in surplus shops for 19" spare 
parts to
> built my first cases when I still was a student.
> 
> Best wishes
> Dieter Doepfer