RetroBlast! - MAMEroom Control Panel Design Service

MAMEroom Control Panel Design Service

Kevin Steele, Thursday, 14 September 2006
Serendipity is always a welcome development when it happens, and in this case my pressing need for a custom control panel designed specifically for trackball testing and MAMERoom's simultaneous unveiling of their new control panel design software and production service couldn't have been better timed. Need, meet Solution.

MAMERoom Control Panel Design Service

Kevin Steele
September, 2005

Introduction

Serendipity is always a welcome development when it happens, and in this case my pressing need for a custom control panel designed specifically for trackball testing and MAMERoom's simultaneous unveiling of their new control panel design software and production service couldn't have been better timed. Need, meet Solution.

And what a solution it is: MAMERoom has created a comprehensive design tool, and backed it up with an equally impressive production capability. You design it, they build it. For those who want a custom control panel but lack woodworking skills, this is about as easy as it can get short of a telepathic interface.

The MAMERoom Control Panel Designer

The MAMERoom Control Panel Designer is a "point-and-click" design tool, designed to allow you to drag-and-drop controls and even visualize what the results will be.

Creating Your Dream Panel

To start the design process, you first specify the overall dimensions of the panel you want, everything from the width and depth to the height and corner radius. While the dimensions are adequate for most control panels, it doesn't allow for non-square panels or arched front edges, for example. Still, for the vast majority of panels these limitations shouldn't be a problem.

You can specify very specific dimensions for your panel

Once you've specified the overall dimensions of the panel, the fun part begins. Using drop down lists of joysticks, buttons, spinners, and trackballs, you can select the parts you wish to add to the panel. You can even pick the color of the controller or button if colored versions of that part are available.

The selection of controls is limited to primarily Happs parts, along with Oscar Controls spinners. The selection should suffice for most, but if you're looking for an exotic joystick or an unusual dimensioned trackball, you may need to manually draw in your own mounting spot.

Adding controls is point-and-click easy

Once you select a part, simply click on the Add button and the click on the layout where you'd like that part to go. You can also drag the buttons and controllers around after you've placed them. Each part is numbered as you place them, a handy tool that becomes even more handy when you've printed out a parts list (more on that later).

The program includes center lines and a grid (with snap) to ensure that everything lines up properly. You can even use an onscreen ruler to measure distances between different controllers. Both metric and Imperial measurements are supported.

Layout is a "snap" with grid-based placement

In addition to the standard "cutout view", the program also has a "control view," a sort of "previsualization" of what the panel will look like when completed:

Cutout View (Top) and Control View (Bottom)

Both views even allow you to use a graphic as a custom background, allowing you to visualize what you control panel will look like with an overlay:

You can add custom backgrounds in both views

You have a lot of freedom to move parts around — perhaps a bit too much freedom. There is no error checking in the parts placement, so you can accidentally overlay controls, for example. Most of these errors should be immediately obvious, however.

One of the neat features of the software is the ability to load different control panel sets and insert them into the current design. This allows you to create "sets" of controls (such as a 6-button fighter layout), then load and place them as needed.

Once you've fiddled around with the layout and have the controls placed where you like, it's time to total up the damage. The "Cut Sheet Details" tab shows detailed specs for your control panel design, even including a parts list with a total price to create your dream controller!

The Cut Sheet Details page shows the cuts, parts, and even the total price

What you do with your design is basically up to you: the MAMERoom Control Panel Designer allows you to export your design as an AutoCAD .DXF file, print out the cut sheet, or export a JPG or BMP graphic. But perhaps the best option is to have MAMERoom use their state-of-the-art CNC Milling system to cut out your panel for you!

Simply by using the "Order Control Panel" option, you can submit your design to MAMERoom, who will cut the panel for $75, and deliver it in flat-pack form. Then all you have to do is add the controls and wire it up, and you've got a professional-looking control panel ready for action.

Click and order!

Note that you're not completely limited by the program's designs: using the AutoCAD .DXF export feature, you can edit and refine your design in another program, then submit the DXF file to MAMERoom for production.

So, what sort of results can you expect? Well, let's take a look at what MAMERoom was able to create for my trackball test panel!

The Results

The results are, at least to this arcade enthusiast, breathtaking. The panel was perfect: constructed of laminated .75" MDF, with every hole and cut precisely where it should be. The cuts were so precise and crisp, in fact, that the edges were so sharp that I cut my fingers when holding the panel from the back access hole!. This isn't a criticism of the panel, but a compliment to the precision of the CNC equipment used to cut out the panel.

The Result

The panel is shipped flat-packed in sections, ready to be assembled using a post-and-cam system. This allows the panel to be put together in seconds while still managing to provide strong, sturdy construction.

Cam and Post Assembly

The placement of the post-and-cam mounting points is exceptional: you have easy access to all necessary points and yet they are all well hidden from the front of the panel.

In fact, the placement of the mounting pegs and cams on the bottom panel allow you to "pivot" the bottom panel out just by loosening the two mounts on the back panel. In theory you could even mount the bottom panel to a cab and just pivot the control panel up when needed, allowing for easy access for repairs and tweaking.

The bottom panel swivels down

The panel includes T-molding pre-installed around the edge of the top panel and side panels, which has the nice side effect of providing nice vinyl "skids" for the bottom edges of the panels, helping to prevent scuffs when the panel is, for example, placed on a coffee table.

T-molding is pre-installed

One of the first things I did with the test panel was to install trackballs. The pre-cut mounting areas and holes aligned perfectly with my trackball mounting plates for the Happ 2.25" and 3" trackballs.

Unfortunately, I didn't provide the correct measurements for the Betson and Wico 3" trackballs, whose extra large casings means that I'll have to "tweak" the design a bit to cut out a larger hole. This goof is entirely my fault, though — just be aware that non-Happ parts may have different mounting specifications than the controller templates provided with the program!

Precision cutouts for trackballs

One of the most impressive bits of CNC routing was the cutout for the 1.5" Happ trackball. It was millimeter-precise: the fit was a bit snug at first, but a quick swipe with sandpaper around the rim and I had a perfect fit.

A perfect routing job for the 1.5" trackball unit

Not only was the top hole perfectly cut for this trackball, but the bottom of the panel was routed out perfectly for the trackball casing. It's hard to describe just how accurate this routing was, but you can see from the photo below the precision of the cut.

Underside of the 1.5" trackball mounting area

One of the surprises Scott at MAMERoom had for me was an "engraved" RetroBlast logo on the top of the panel. The engraving was just deep enough to route out the formica overlay, revealing the MDF below. It's a neat trick, and shows the precision and versatility of the equipment used to create the panel. (Note that this type of engraving is not something you can add to a panel using the design software, although it might be added at a later date.)

Custom-etched artwork!

Conclusions

If you've got a great idea for a custom control panel project, and just don't have the woodworking skills (or equipment, or time...) this service is just the ticket. For $74.99 you can get a professionally cut panel, complete with T-molding, made exactly to your specifications.

The design software is also impressive and should be all you need for most panel designs, although it does have a touch of "version 1.0" feel to it. I feel a bit awkward criticizing the program, even a little, as it's already 90% of what any arcade enthusiast would need for designing the control panel of their dreams.

The design software is solid and I experienced no crashes, but I would like to see a bit more variety in terms of available controllers, panel shape editing, and import facilities. That said, Scott Glazer of MAMERoom is continuing to improve and expand the program, and has already made a great deal of refinements in the program. I predict good things.

Overall, I really have commend Scott for both the software and the service: it's a reasonably priced way to create a professional panel and it offers a great service to the arcade cabinet building community, and I predict even greater things to come. Recommended by RetroBlast.