Eurorack parts

In order to manufacture low profile Eurorack modules vertical mount components are required. These allow the PCB to be mounted parallel to the front panel, keeping module depth to a minimum.

Jack Sockets 3.5mm

Using a panel mount jack socket with a PCB mount

These are like rocking horse poo: hard to find. Options include:

• TruConnect PJ-360 (stereo, no thread)
• Jalco YK21-5157 and variations. 10.5mm high versions and in mono, see Jalco website. No thread though.
• Cliff doepfer use these, what part number?
• Lumberg 1502 03 whilst it looks like a chassis socket with solder tags, this actually has a PCB template too Farnell

QingPu Electronics

Various parts look good. They supply to Digidesign and others:

• WQP-PJ3410: http://www.qingpu-electronics.com/en/products/WQP-PJ3410-54.html (plastic bush)

• WQP-PJ3010BM: QingPu have a metal bush model with two ground lugs suitable for PCB mounting QingPu Link. PCB to panel gaps of 9.0 to 12.0mm look feasible, with the lower values achieved by bending the four feet diagonally or at 90 degrees. See here for a detailed analysis of these and some equivalents.
  • Design issue resolved: In November 2012, QingPu started using beryllium-copper for the primary contacts, which overcomes a problem of deformation and NC contact failure which occurred with the previous production, which used phosphor-bronze.
  • Sourcing: These or similar sockets are available in Q50 lots, with knurled or hex nuts, from USA online retailer http://erthenvar.com/store/eurodiy/jack35mmv where they were identified (2012-11-28), also from UK retailer Thonk http://www.thonk.co.uk/shop/pj301bm-3-5mm-jack-sockets-x50/

• WQP-PJ301M-12: A very nice alternative for Kobiconn 16PJ138, all PCB mount pins, also Be Copper tip, very reliable switch, worked very perfectly for Eurorack modules! http://www.qingpu-electronics.com/en/products/WQP-PJ301M-12-306.html

Working with panel mount jack sockets

• Some products do a hack with jack sockets such as this one16PJ138. An example from the Piston Honda is shown on the right here. Mouser

Qingpu Electronics also has a quite similar jack same as 16PJ138, they call WQP-PJ301M, with a beryllium copper spring, the switch is quite reliable after test. http://www.qingpu-electronics.com/en/products/WQP-PJ301M-59.html

Potentiometers and controllers

BI Tech 0915N in use by WMD on the Gamma Wave Source

• Recommended BI Technologies: 10.5mm high linear pots: http://www.bitechnologies.com/pdfs/p09x.pdf or on Mouser
• Bourns make a range including:
  • http://www.bourns.com/ProductFamily.aspx?name=potentiometers
    • PDB12-M, PCB mount, 9mm high, no thread, 12mm package
    • PTV09A-4
    • 3310Y series, 5mm deep with 6mm of thread so may be too low to be used easily: http://uk.farnell.com/bourns/3310-001-503l/potentiometer-50k/dp/9354000
    • PTV111-3 7.5mm high body, 5.0mm high bushing (that's 12.5mm so maybe good..) available with centre detent 12mm body, cheap.
  • Digital continuous encoders for microcontroller based products
• Vishay
  • P12 series 11mm to panel
  • P9 vertical mount 7mm high with 7mm bushing should be fine. http://www.vishay.com/docs/51047/p9.pdf but only good to 10V!