Velcro Based Modular Panel

This Panel was developed for the Ghost in the Machine and attempts to address some of the shortcomings of Modular panels. The design uses a top slot and Velcro to keep panels firmly in place. This allows a much greater tolerances to be used in fabrication, as well as panels of any desired size. This particular design also uses CCFL lights to side light etched plexi glass mounted on the indivdual panels. This give a novel new method to integrating Art into the design. Rather than trying to hide the panel seams, the edges of the plexi are beveled to catch the light, so that the Seams look they they are meant to be there.

Mounting

The design uses two 2x2 rails (of that nice Poplar hobby variety that Home Depot Sells) fastened between 2 pieces of ¾ plywood. A board fastened to the top creates a slot. This prevents the top of the panel from being pulled up, while also ensureing an insertion at a right angle to the rest of the Control Panel. The Top rail has a ¾ inch width strip of Velcro hooks, although a 1/2 inch strip would proably be sufficent. Likewise the bottom rail has 2 in strips of Velcro hooks on the top and side. The Top strip prevents movment side to side, and the side strip acts like a velcro shoelace, changing the angle of action and firmly holding the panel to the bottom rail. If desired a black can be added to the panel to ensure Right angle alignment with the bottom rail, but experimentation has discovered this is not required.

The Back rail is used to affix a panel which holds RJ45 Quickport inserts and clips which hold the CCFL lights in the right position to shine on the Plexi Glass at the top of the panel. The Bottom part of the Control Panel is covered with a door and flap which form a second slot at the bottom of the panel. Attached to this door are a second set of CCFL lights to illuminate the bottom half of the panel. The door and flap also cover the velcro strips which hold the panel in place. The door covers the panels, but does nothing to hold them in place: the velcro "shoelace" is more than enough to prevent any movement of the panel during game play.

Panel Construction

The Panels are made of 2 layers: ½ inch MDF, covered with Black Vinyl from Parts Express, and ¼ inch plexiglass affixed to the base with countersunk screws. When building each panel a table saw was used to cut the MDF and the Plastic to the size required. The plexi was then marked and drilled with a drill press to countersink the Attachment locations. I the Plexi was then attached to to