Add Synthpanel design
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== Front panels ==
=== Specifications ===
The Eurorack format was developed in parallel by [[Analogue Systems]] and [[Doepfer Musikelektronik GmbH|Doepfer]], with different approaches to module power connectors and front panel mounting holes. These days the Doepfer standard predominates.<ref>[
==== Panels ====
Doepfer specifies the Eurorack front panel material as 2 mm anodized aluminium.<ref name="a100m">Doepfer [http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100m_e.htm A-100 Construction Details]</ref> In practice panels from other manufacturers may slightly differ, e.g. Synthwerks use the closest gauge that [http://metalphoto.com/ Metalphoto] offer which is 0.0625" (1.59 mm). Also check data sheets for front panel parts, e.g. the maximum recommended thickness for [[3.5
Front panel dimensions in the the Eurorack format are specified in U and HP not in inches or millimeters. One U (unit) or in German HE (höhen einheit) is 1.75 inches equivalent to 44.45 mm. The panels height is [[3U]] (3x1.75"=5.25" or 133.35 mm) less any allowance for mounting rail flange. Width is measured in HP (horizontal pitch) or in German TE (teilungs einheiten); 1 HP is 5.08 mm, 1/5", 0.2" or 200mil. The actual width of a front panel is a few tenth of a mm less than whatever multiple of 5.08 mm it is, to give some tolerance for final assembly. A [[19-inch rack]] has a usable width of 84 HP.<ref name="hinton" /><ref name="a100m" /><ref name="confused">[
The vertical space available between mounting rails is:
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* Gie-Tec, Proma (now defunct) and TipTop Z-Rails, 112.5mm (4.429 inches)
* Vector, 115.1mm (4.531 inches)
These don't include a tolerances for the screw hole in the panel nor for the nut in the rail moving up and down. It's better to give a little more clearance than suggested by these figures.<ref name="six">[
==== Panel mounting holes ====
If the Doepfer specification is followed, or rails with sliding nuts are used, elongated holes are not required. These are useful for non-standard panel widths like the Piston Honda's and to compensate for for manufacturing tolerances of the panel width or hole position. They help to fit the modules flush against one another.<ref name="oval">[
Oval holes were originally for mixed Analogue Systems and Doepfer systems. The AS holes are 0.2" from the panel edge and the Doepfer holes are 0.3" from the edge. The oval holes were originally used to allow these modules to be placed in the same threaded rows without having the 1/2 HP gap that would otherwise result. These days the oval holes are mostly just centered on the Doepfer spacing.<ref name="oval"/>
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For front panels up to 10 HP two mounting holes are sufficient, wider than this and four mounting holes are usual. To attach the modules to the mounting rails M3x6 DIN 7985 cross recessed pan head machine screws are used. The mounting hole diameter is 3.2mm (0.13"), centered 3mm from top and bottom edges and 7.45mm from the left edge. The horizontal distance between the mounting holes has to be a multiple of 5.08mm.<ref name="hinton" /><ref name="a100m" /><ref name="confused" />
==== Mounting rails ====
[[File:Eurorack panels on Gie-Tec rails.jpg|thumb|200px|Eurorack panels mounted on Gie-Tec rails, with sliding nuts. Note the lip along one edge of the rail.]][[File:Eurorack panels on Vector rails.jpg|thumb|200px|Eurorack panels mounted on Vector rails, with sliding nuts.]]Unless attaching the panels directly into the wood of an enclosure; Doepfer aluminium mounting rails from Schroff or Gie-Tech usually have a 1.2mm lip and are fitted with a number of square nuts or a threaded strip with M3 tapped holes, spaced with 5.08mm between centres.<ref>TipTop [http://www.tiptopaudio.com/manuals/z-rails.pdf Z-Rails dimensions]</ref> Be careful not to get Schroff rails that take M2.5 screws.<ref>[
Brands using M2.5 square nuts or tapped strips and M2.5x6mm machine screws: [[4ms]], [[Elby Designs]] (SRS), [[Enclave]], [[Rittal]]<ref name="enc">[
Brands using Vector rails with M2.5 square nuts or tapped strips and M2.5x6mm machine screws: [[Erthenvar]], [http://www.goike.com/node/4 Goike]<ref name="sergesque"/>
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=== Blank panels ===
6061 aluminum alloy, T3 or T6 temper, is easy to come by, can be easily worked. Thickness usually ranges between 1.5
For small panels it's cheapest to buy Doepfer pre-made blank panels. For wider panels it might be worth getting them done by Frontpanel Express, without labeling and with whatever holes are required. Getting aluminum cut by general online metal suppliers is going to deliver metal that is approximate in size and the edges will need filing down to get it to the correct size.<ref name="
* [http://www.reichelt.de/Baugruppentraeger/BGT-TFP-312/3/index.html?;ACTION=3;LA=446;ARTICLE=34002;GROUPID=3363;artnr=BGT+TFP+312;SID=26PTQzxKwQARoAAHOZA-w413b4ed837993f58e14dcd8d28089d58 Reichelt Elektronik], Germany
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151207005051/http://syinsi.com/product/blank-panels/ syinsi.com], USA, blank/blind panels for Eurorack
Suppliers:
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150508002217/http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cfm?id=239&step=2&top_cat=60 OnlineMetals.com], USA – large blank panels
* [http://www.allmetalparts.co.uk/ All Metal Parts], UK – large blank panels
* [http://metalsupermarkets.co.uk/metals/consumer-guide/aluminum/ Metal Supermarkets], UK and USA
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* [http://metaloffcuts.co.uk/ MetalOffCuts], UK
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151207005051/http://syinsi.com/product/blank-panels/ Eurorack Blank Panels], Canada
* [https://www.thomann.de/gb/doepfer_other_accessories_1.html?feature-53638=true&filter=true&oa=pra&price-first=0 Thomann], Germany
=== Custom panels ===
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* [https://www.ponoko.com/ Ponoko]
For FPE and Schaeffer, you need to supply the blank Euro panel.
You can also draw your front panels very easily with this extension of the free software Inkscape [http://inkscape.org/]
[https://synthpanels.design/ synthpanelsdesign]
=== Project panels ===
Panels for specific projects can be purchased from:
* [http://grayscale.info/panels/ Grayscale], USA
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20151211113518/http://modularaddict.com/parts/panels.html Modular Addict]
* [http://synthcube.com/cart/index.php?route=product/category&path=74_76&limit=300 synthCube], USA
* [http://www.thonk.co.uk/product-category/panel/ Thonk], UK
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=== Front panel labelling options ===
''See [[
== Front panels parts ==
''See [[Eurorack
== PCB dimensions and mounting ==
These days Eurorack modules tend to mount the PCB parralel to the front panel, held in place by the pots, jacks and switches.<ref name="six"/> Modules with wired front panel components cost more to manufacture than PCB mounted, however these electro-mechanical components have limited lifetimes and while PCB mounted parts can be repaired it's not as easily as wired components. Also PCB mounted components mean the board is designed around specific parts. If any of these parts goes out of production the modules have to be redesigned, with the additional cost of updating the PCBs.<ref name="planb">[
The vertical distance between the mounting holes on Eurorack rails is 122.5mm apart (4.823"). Based on the manufacturer's drawings for the most common rails used in Euro cases, the clear space between pairs of rails is:
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=== Stacked PCBs ===
Stacked PCBs can be connected with standard 0.1" single and double row male/female pin headers. These combine to a height of 7/16 inch or 11mm and boards can be mounted to each other with spacers of this length.<ref name="hw">[
Don't use tools you value highly, the headers are made of brittle glass filled epoxy which will damage the edge of any blades used to cut it. To get the single row male headers to length, grip the last pin of the length you want firmly in pliers and snap the rest off. The female headers don't snap easily so first pull the pins out of the body at the point where you want it to snap, then file the ends smooth. Alternately combine smaller lengths to make up the length required. To get them to butt against each other at 0.1" if there is extra plastic on the ends file it down.<ref name="hw" />
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==== Caution ====
'''Never trust the ribbon cable or the coloured wire.''' Before connection examine the module, the power distribution bus and the ribbon cable to ensure that matching connections will be made at either end. Even with [[shrouded header]]s don't plug the cable in because it fits, always first ensure the correct connections will be made.<ref name="def">[
==== Doepfer ====
Doepfer modules, (the de facto standard)<ref name="hinton" /> use two row of 8 [[pin header|male pin headers]] for connecting power and [[normalising]] [[CV/
==== Cwejman ====
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== Power supplies ==
[[File:Lowpass Filter LC.svg|thumb|right|150px|LC filter to further reduce the amount of output ripple and transients on a switching PS.]] A good clean power supply unit (PSU) is the most important part of a modular system. A proper [[Power supply (linear)|linear power supply]] and good distribution makes a big difference to the stability and sound quality of the system.<ref>[https://www.
[[Power supply (switching)|Switch-mode power supplies]] (SMPS) are smaller, lighter, and much more efficient (give off less heat) than linear power supplies but produce noise, (above the audio range) on their output.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5990-3242EN.pdf |title=Understanding the Importance of Low-Noise Linear Power Supplies |accessdate=2016-03-04 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219163349/http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5990-3242EN.pdf |archivedate=2012-12-19 |
=== Safety ===
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== See also ==
* [[Eurorack
* [[Eurocard]]
* [[Comparison of Eurorack DIY PSUs]]
{{From Muff Wiggler wiki|vertical Mount Components}}▼
{{split_to|[[Eurorack DIY panel components]]|22 April 2016}}▼
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* GitHub, [https://github.com/rahji/eurorack-ears rahji/eurorack-ears], CAD drawings for Eurorack rails, ears/brackets
* The Eurorack Database – [https://web.archive.org/web/20150528001000/http://www.eurorackdb.com/node/h_diy_sources Eurorack DIY Resources]
* [http://mutable-instruments.net/forum/discussion/3329/diy-eurorack-modules-/p1 DIY eurorack modules...], Mutable Instruments
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvsTenEcY5k Analogue Systems power supply & Eurorack modular synth case]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150507025508/http://www.eurorackdb.com/node/h_power_supply_list/ Power Supplies], The Eurorack Database
* [http://www.firstpr.com.au/rwi/parts/3.5 mm-sockets/ 3.5 mm mono sockets for vertical PCB mounting] by Robin Whittle, Real World Interfaces, 2014
* [http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-aluminum-sheets/=xe70s0 About Aluminum], McMaster-Carr
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=== Schematics, PCB overlays, BOMs and assembly instructions ===
* [http://www.modular.fonik.de/ Fonitronik Synth DIY]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150913114847/http://www.aleph.co.jp/~takeda/radio/homemadesynthE.html Home Made Synth]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060111050127/http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/ Music From Outer Space]
* [http://yusynth.net/index_en.php YuSynth]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170430151727/http://cgs.synth.net/ CGS]
* [https://github.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Eurorack&type=Repositories&ref=searchresults GitHub]
===
* [
* [
* [https://www.
* [
=== Eurorack parts suppliers ===
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20200608223714/https://modularsynthlab.com/store/ ModularSynthLab], Netherlands
[[Category:Eurorack]]
[[Category:Components]]
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