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== Front panels ==
===
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>[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8419&start=all&postdays=0&postorder=asc Analogue Systems: Doepfer compatibility], Muff Wiggler forum, October 2009</ref><ref>[http://electro-music.com/forum/topic-36446.html Analogue Systems or Doepfer as 1st Modular system?], Electro-music.com forum, August 2009</ref> The format is based on [//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsches_Institut_f%C3%BCr_Normung DIN] 41494 [[Eurocard]] standard.<ref name="hinton">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45388&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc Some general questions on euro-designing] by [[Graham Hinton]], Muff Wiggler forum, October 2011</ref>
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
Front panel dimensions in the the [[3U]] 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 vertical space available between mounting rails is:
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* 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">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1695905 Six jacks in euro, what is the preferred configuration?], Muff Wiggler forum, October 2014</ref>
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
Oval holes were originally for mixed Analogue Systems (AS) and Doepfer systems. The AS holes are 0.2" from the panel edge and the Doepfer holes are 0.3" (7.62 mm) 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"/>▼
▲==== 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">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126980 Euro modules – Oval mounting holes], Muff Wiggler forum, December 2014</ref> In a double width case, there will be a gap where the two threaded inserts meet, unless e.g. single 168 HP tiptop Z rails are used.<ref>[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=69180 The Eurorack Charter?], Muff Wiggler forum, October 2012</ref>
For front panels up to 10 HP
▲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"/>
=== Blank panels ===▼
▲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" />
''See [[Eurorack_DIY_parts#Blank_panels|Eurorack DIY parts#Blank panels]]''
== 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">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123605 Six jacks in euro, what is the preferred configuration?], Muff Wiggler forum</ref> 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:▼
* 112.2mm, 4.415" = Schroff▼
* 112.5mm, 4.429" = Gie-Tec and TipTop Z-Rails▼
* 115.1mm, 4.531" = Vector▼
Those don't include the tolerances (slop) of the nut in the rail moving up and down and the screw hole in the front panel. These can cause the rails to be closer or further apart when any given module is tightened in. It's better to try to give a little more clearance and not count on these exact figures.<ref name="six" />▼
To fit between the mounting rails the maximum vertical PCB size can be from 108mm (4.25") to 110mm. The width of the PCB needs to be a touch less than that of the front panel, whilst allowing for clearance and taking tolerances into consideration.<ref name="hinton" /><ref name="six" /><ref name="erthenvar"/>▼
=== 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">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126900 Hardware for stacked PCBs], Muff Wiggler forum</ref>▼
▲=== Blank panels ===
Suitable parts can be purchased for example:<ref name="hw"/>▼
* [http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/3M-Electronic-Solutions-Division/929974-01-36-RK/?qs=Z7nQflo5OWeXTtG8NqxhFQ%3D%3D 517-929974-01-36-RK], Mouser female 2.54mm pin header, 36 way, tin plated copper▼
* [http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/3M-Electronic-Solutions-Division/929834-01-36/?qs=QV10cN0MjFtGMxJSq6rXkQ%3D%3D 517-834-01-36], Mouser male 2.54mm pin header, 36 way, tin plated copper▼
* [http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Harwin/R30-1001102/?qs=%2fha2pyFaduh3QY4G1og6YGrzdLjrFnZGRQnWZYca8amFflum8SkGQA%3d%3d 855-R30-1001102], Mouser M3x11mm hex spacer. Fit to the PCB with M3x5mm machine screws.▼
==
''The lists in this section need checking and tidying up.''
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==== Wired/panel mount ====
* Mouser 3mm LED 593-2000C (C stands for clear)<ref name="build"/>
▲== 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">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=123605 Six jacks in euro, what is the preferred configuration?], Muff Wiggler forum</ref> 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:
▲* 112.2mm, 4.415" = Schroff
▲* 112.5mm, 4.429" = Gie-Tec and TipTop Z-Rails
▲* 115.1mm, 4.531" = Vector
▲Those don't include the tolerances (slop) of the nut in the rail moving up and down and the screw hole in the front panel. These can cause the rails to be closer or further apart when any given module is tightened in. It's better to try to give a little more clearance and not count on these exact figures.<ref name="six" />
▲To fit between the mounting rails the maximum vertical PCB size can be from 108mm (4.25") to 110mm. The width of the PCB needs to be a touch less than that of the front panel, whilst allowing for clearance and taking tolerances into consideration.<ref name="hinton" /><ref name="six" /><ref name="erthenvar"/>
▲=== 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">[http://www.muffwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=126900 Hardware for stacked PCBs], Muff Wiggler forum</ref>
▲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" />
▲Suitable parts can be purchased for example:<ref name="hw"/>
▲* [http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/3M-Electronic-Solutions-Division/929974-01-36-RK/?qs=Z7nQflo5OWeXTtG8NqxhFQ%3D%3D 517-929974-01-36-RK], Mouser female 2.54mm pin header, 36 way, tin plated copper
▲* [http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/3M-Electronic-Solutions-Division/929834-01-36/?qs=QV10cN0MjFtGMxJSq6rXkQ%3D%3D 517-834-01-36], Mouser male 2.54mm pin header, 36 way, tin plated copper
▲* [http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Harwin/R30-1001102/?qs=%2fha2pyFaduh3QY4G1og6YGrzdLjrFnZGRQnWZYca8amFflum8SkGQA%3d%3d 855-R30-1001102], Mouser M3x11mm hex spacer. Fit to the PCB with M3x5mm machine screws.
== See also ==
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