Wiardgroup

There is a sexiness to a wood faceplate, and FR4 material certainly an interesting 
alternative in the same aesthetic sense,. My question is how does one assure that the 
faceplate is uniformly and adequately protected (grounded) when made of materials with 
such a high degree of electrical isolation?  

The idea of integrating surface mount circuitry to the back of the faceplate is intriguing to 
say the least, something that was done in the 70's in a slightly different manner with a 
firm in New Hamphire which was producing  MUTLILAYER plastic injection-molded chassis' 
for Apple computer and others which had interconnect circuitry embedded in them (albeit 
additive process,  which does have it's reliability issues, although faceplate could easily be 
done with subtractive process) and running along all sides, even taking the corners as 
well. 

- P

--- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Chang" <gchang@...> wrote:
>
> Matthew,
> 
> Take a close look at an old Buchla Kinesthic Input Port controller, or
> the Buchla Music Easel keyboard - it has a construction similar what
> Grant is describing.
> 
> IMHO, give me a "classic" Wiard front panel on my modules.  Ten years
> later, they still look great, and are easy to clean....  (Sorry, Grant).
> 
> When I was making my Serge in the 70's, I was actually thinking about
> laminating wood onto the faceplates, which, when put into wooden case,
> would have resulted in an all-wooden, but no faceplate graphics
> synth....  I still like that idea - a piece of wood with patchcords
> sticking out of it....
> 
> gary
> 
> 
> 
> "mritenburg" <mritenburg@> wrote:
> >
> > I am intrigued by this fiberglass faceplate idea.  I would like to see 
> > a proof-of-concept to get a firm grasp of the final product.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > --- In wiardgroup@yahoogroups.com, "Grant Richter" <grichter@> wrote:
> > >
> > > If the public could change their perception of how a synthesizer 
> > module must be 
> > > constructed, we could have a renaisance unlike anything in the past.
> > > 
> > > The single most expensive component in a synthesizer is the aluminum 
> > faceplate.
> >
>