Elektor Formant Modular

Sound good Laurie


> There is nothing clever about it and it exactly the same process as 
making
> an ordinary pcb 

Ha ha..if only I knew what THAT was!!!


 just no tracks. I have created a set of `components' that
> contain the overlay I want and then simply place them on my pcb 
layout
> adding text and borders as required as you can see in the attached 
sample.

WHat does that mean??? WHAT does a PCB layout look like? Are we 
talking about a graphic file here? tif etc I noticed that your 
example was a PDF, (was didnt get attatched here in Yahoo groups, so 
couldnt view it)

> 
> The pcb itself is a conventional pcb (although a thicker type can 
be used
> for added strength).

Maybe not ness..


The manufacturer drills (larger) holes for the
> components instead of (small) holes for resistors etc, etches away 
all of
> the copper (!) and then silkscreens the overlay (panel design) and 
hey
> presto a front-panel.

understood all that..!


There is now a choice of colours for both the pcb and
> the overlay but White on Green works really well and looks great in 
a wooden
> cabinet. Elector used to do White on Blue. If you want you can add 
a solid
> plain on the (bottom layer) back of the panel to provide a ground 
plane.

I think I would prefer a standard White text on Black background.. 
call me dull if you like!!



> 
> I supply standard pcb files (Protel in my case) which the pcb 
manufacturer
> process as normal, 

OK... when you say Protel.. is this a program? How does one make a 
Protel file?

As a graphic designer, I can easily prepare "graphic files" scanned 
from the manual (assuming they are the correct size.. have to check)

So what would be my next step ten Laurie? YOu can see the panels I 
will need at

http://www.markfrancombe.com/gear/

Theres another question to other Formant owners, If I am to install 
into a regular 19" rack, I should adjust the height of my panels to 
fit, FOrmant seems to be very weird sizes.. some modules seem to be 
nearly 3U high, and some nearly 5 U.. but I got a weird thing, of the 
taller variety, there seems to be 2 sizes.. VCO's and VCF is one 
height and the 24bdVCF and the RFM filter are a tiny bit bigger...!! 
WHat the HELL is the meaning of this? Was this a mistake by the 
person who built my synth originally or were they like that.. and 
why????


> Best Regards
> 
> (Mr) Laurie Biddulph
> 
> Elby Designs
> ABN: 70 022 727 605
> http://www.elby-designs.com
> 
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> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "markfrancombe" <mark@m...>
> To: <ElektorFormant@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 6:40 PM
> Subject: [ElektorFormant] Re: New Member, also here for repair and 
upgrade
> 
> 
> >
> >
> > replying ON-list to a reply OFF-list. Maybe other list members 
want
> > this info?
> >
> > > What about pcb front panels? The panels are small enough to not
> > have any
> > > flexing problems (could always go for extra thick pcbs if you
> > wanted). The
> > > pcbs come in a number of colours and you can get the silkscreen 
in
> > a variety
> > > of colours. They usually use laser quality printing so except 
for
> > the finest
> > > details you get good results. Elektor actually did do pcb front
> > panels for a
> > > number of years and I was quite pleased with the results - and 
that
> > was over
> > > 25 years ago!!!!!!!!!!
> >
> > That sounds like a plan! I would be happy to get together on the
> > cost, but Im afraid I don't kow exactly what you are talking 
about. I
> > have never made/had made pcbs before so Im not sure what process 
you
> > are refering to.. are there companies that do this? if so what 
kind
> > of artwork do you supply? ANd Im SURE that pcb's would be strong
> > enough.
> >
> > (Aha.. Now I see, I followed your URL, this is what you DO...!!
> > Cool!!!
> >
> > Has anyone used the Scaefffer method here? They do seem to have a
> > VERY cool system. YOu download their panel designer program, it 
looks
> > at your design and gives a quote (amount of engraved 
letters /holes
> > drilled, that kinda thing) It does seem like a HELLUVA lot of 
work to
> > enter all the details of all the panels into their prog in the 
first
> > place. (One nifty feature that is lacking would be the ability to
> > import a picture to use as a guide...) I am completelt terrible at
> > measuring and would def get it one. The BIG advantage of this 
method
> > is that once designed into their system, the files could be 
stored on
> > the List FIles area, for ANYONE to order duplicates from Schaffer.
> > BTW.... They AINT DIRT CHEAP!! But look good. USed by Oakely 
systems
> > for his modulars...
> >
> > http://www.schaeffer-ag.de/index.php?
> > &option=com_frontpage&Itemid=205&lang=en
> >
> > mark francombe
> > www.markfrancombe.com
> > mobile +47 98296008
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Laurie Biddulph" <elby_designs@o...>
> > To: <info@m...>
> > Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 3:56 AM
> > Subject: From your web page - Elektor Formant panels
> >
> >
> >
> > > What about pcb front panels? The panels are small enough to not
> > have any
> > > flexing problems (could always go for extra thick pcbs if you
> > wanted). The
> > > pcbs come in a number of colours and you can get the silkscreen 
in
> > a variety
> > > of colours. They usually use laser quality printing so except 
for
> > the finest
> > > details you get good results. Elektor actually did do pcb front
> > panels for a
> > > number of years and I was quite pleased with the results - and 
that
> > was over
> > > 25 years ago!!!!!!!!!!
> > >
> > > I do most of my panel designs using Protel, meaning PCB options 
are
> > dead
> > > easy. I have toyed with the idea of doing Formant panels myself 
so
> > if you
> > > are interested maybe we could do a joint job to help reduce 
costs.
> > >
> > > Best Regards
> > >
> > > (Mr) Laurie Biddulph
> > >
> > > Elby Designs
> > > ABN: 70 022 727 605
> > > http://www.elby-designs.com
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >