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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 mm Cliff 1384 jack]]s is 2.5 mm.<ref name="guage">[
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 {{sfrac|1|3|4}}" equivalent to 44.45 mm. The panels height is [[3U]] (3x{{sfrac|1|3|4}}"={{sfrac|5|1|4}}" 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 3 mm 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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6061 aluminum alloy, T3 or T6 temper, is easy to come by, can be easily worked. Thickness usually ranges between 1.5 mm (0.62") and 2.5 mm (0.12") but see what is standard for the format, e.g. a thickness of 2 mm (0.08") for [[3U]]. Softer 1100-H aluminium alloy from [http://metalphoto.com/ MetalPhoto] and 1.59 mm (0.625") thick, is used for many Euro panels but is usually punched rather than drilled.<ref>[https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=86107 What type of aluminium is used for faceplates?], Muff Wiggler forum, June 2013</ref><ref name="guage" />
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="guage"<ref>[
Blank panels can be obtained from:
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== 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">[
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 header]]s. These combine to a height of 7/16 inch or 11 mm 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 ====
For the leads between PSU and bus boards, {{sfrac|4}}""(6.35mm) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FASTON_terminal Faston crimp connectors]. These usually come in three colour sizes: red (32/0.2 AWG), blue (2x 32/0.2 AWG) and yellow (5x 32/0.2 AWG). Use at least the blue type, the yellow for 0V and as thick a wire as possible.<ref>[https://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=149590&sid=5c974bb3ed36d75927a835052c34a53b Wire Connectors for Doepfer PSU-2 and Busboard], Graham Hinton, Muff Wiggler forum, Nov 2015</ref>
Ribbon cables, (the de facto standard)<ref name="hinton" /> use two row of 8 pin header for connecting power and [[normalising]] [[CV/gate]]. The pins are 0.1" (2.54mm) apart and at a 0.1" pitch. The interconnection is done via ribbon cable with 1.27mm (0.05") pitch, and using female sockets, 16-pin to the supply bus and either 16 or 10-pin to the module. The colored wire on the ribbon cable indicates -12V.<ref>Doepfer [http://www.doepfer.de/a100_man/a100t_e.htm Technical Details A-100]</ref><ref name="ta">[http://analogue-heaven.1065350.n5.nabble.com/some-help-building-a-rack-for-doepfer-tp25377p25380.html Re: some help building a rack for doepfer] by [[Tony Allgood]], Analogue Heaven email list, 29 June 2006</ref><ref name="def" /><ref name="dcon">[
==== Cwejman ====
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