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PropBox Pro — Parallax Forums

PropBox Pro

RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
edited 2011-02-01 11:45 in Propeller 1
I've just started a new design project that I·plan on·sharing the source files for...

Goal is to upgrade and expand a couple existing boxes of mine that are a mess inside...
I'm posting photos of 2 of the boxes I want to upgrade.· Both have VGA out and use keyboard and mouse.

The "PropBox Pro" is to be based on·a Hammond extruded aluminum case:· HM903-ND

This case·is designed for·160x160mm circuit boards.

With ExpressPCB, I can get 160x80mm boards fast and cheap.· So, the plan is to use two boards that connect together.

One board will be the main board and have the Propeller and other common components.

The other board will be different for different projects...

I'm going to try FrontPanelExpress:· http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
to make costum panels for both ends of the box.

I just started the layout for the main board, but I'll show you what I have in mind...
I'm very open to ideas right now, since I just started...

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My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm

Post Edited (Rayman) : 5/5/2010 3:05:01 PM GMT
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Comments

  • JonnyMacJonnyMac Posts: 9,208
    edited 2010-05-05 16:31
    At the suggestion of my friend, PJMonty, I used FrontPanelExpress to create a panel for an intervalometer project -- was very happy with the results that fit perfectly into my enclosure, the buttons, and the LCD.

    http://forums.parallax.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=61898

    I kept it simple; Peter has done really cool things including the use of custom graphic on one end-plate of his RS-485 hub (see April and May issues of Circuit Cellar).

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    Jon McPhalen
    Hollywood, CA
  • Jim FouchJim Fouch Posts: 395
    edited 2010-05-05 18:13
    If acrylic is ok, I can cut any custom sizes with my laser. All I need is a cad DXF file to run on my machine.

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    Jim Fouch

    FOUCH SOFTWARE
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-05-05 23:17
    I'm probably going to use metal because I have to worry about EMI...
    (FrontPanelExpress offers one type with a conductive back coating)

    But, Hammond sells a black plastic version of this case that would probably look good with an acrylic front panel...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm
  • KPRKPR Posts: 189
    edited 2010-05-07 13:48
    Rayman, great Idea, I've been waiting for a board with built in Ethernet..

    What if you included an optional composite video out instead if the vga..

    Out of curiosity, whats the switch bank for?

    Abysmal

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    I always have someone watching my back.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-05-07 14:36
    KPR:· I don't plan on using composite video...· But, I'm going to post the layout files here so you can add that in yourself, if you want.

    The switch bank is in case you don't need SD or Network and want to totally disconnect those items from pins P0..P7.



    Here's the current schematic (ExpressPCB format).· I think it's done, but haven't checked for errors yet.

    I'm working on the layout now...


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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm
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  • KPRKPR Posts: 189
    edited 2010-05-07 16:21
    Thanks Ray..

    Every time I am about to buy Nick's product, a forum member one ups it with a feature I want/need.. [noparse]:([/noparse] .. what to do, what to do..

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    I always have someone watching my back.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-05-07 20:17
    Ok, I just ordred these boards and should have them by Wednesday.

    Maybe I can get one put together and bring to the Expo...

    It's probably horribly flawed, because this was a seriously rushed job...

    I've attached the ExpressPCB layout file.
    It doesn't exactly match the previously posted schematic.· I had to drop the rocker switches due to space constraints.
    Also, I swapped pins between SD and ENC28J60...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm
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  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-05-12 16:15
    Well, I just ordered up a front panel.· Did it in about 20 minutes, so I figure the chances of it actually lining up right are very small...
    Our firewall seems to block whatever port FrontPanelExpress wants to use so I had to email in my order.
    Got the 1-day turn around service, so I should get it Friday, just before I leave for the expo!

    I forgot to add a 1/4" hole for a panel mount LED, but I can do that myself...

    Also here is a revised PCB file.· Should get these tomorrow...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm
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  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-05-28 18:54
    It works!

    Amazingly enough, I just plugged in a network cable, loaded up Harrison's PropTCP code
    and turned PropBox Pro into a web server...

    Here's the thread with Harrison's code:· http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=862877

    I just changed IP settings in the top DAT section and also this line:
      ' Init the TCP/IP driver
  sock.start(0, 1, 2, 3, -1, 7, @mac_addr, @ip_addr)

    Because I'm using pins 0..3 instead of 1..4, like he did.

    Also, here's a photo of the front panel.· It actually fits not too badly.· I forgot the 4 holes in the corners for the mounting screws and had to drill them myself [noparse]:([/noparse]· Also, the stock VGA cutout doesn't fit the Norcomp connector at all and I had to use a hole punch to get the VGA connector studs to stick through...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm

    Post Edited (Rayman) : 5/28/2010 7:03:32 PM GMT
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  • JRetSapDoogJRetSapDoog Posts: 954
    edited 2010-05-28 19:01
    Isn't it weird when things just work out of the (home-made) box? Congrats! Looking gooooood!
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-05-28 19:04
    Here's a photo of the populated PCB.

    Before anybody says anything, I know some of the traces aren't at nice 45 degree angles.
    I'm convinced this makes zero difference electrically or mechanically.
    But, I have converted to doing only 45 degree angles on new designs, just to make it prettier...

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    My Prop Info&Apps: ·http://www.rayslogic.com/propeller/propeller.htm

    My Prop Products:· http://www.rayslogic.com/Propeller/Products/Products.htm
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  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-10-14 08:03
    I've just ordered this beautified version of the board. Now has nice 45 degree angles everywhere and a few other tweaks. Put in some mounting holes, just in case.

    I've also ordered a hopefully better panel from FrontPanelExpress.

    Heard from a couple people that were interested in this board.

    If everything checks out, I may order a batch so that they can be made available at a reasonable cost...
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  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2010-10-14 08:45
    The PropBox Pro looks quite nice. How much space is their in the box for a daughter card? I think I'd like to make one with four SMT Prop chips to play with parallel computing and use your PropBox Pro board as the master. Maybe add a big SRAM on the daughter card as well. Would that be feasible? Any idea what this will sell for with the box?
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-10-14 08:56
    Here's a quasi-generic daugher board...

    It's 6.3" by 3.15".

    I'm pretty sure you could add in a Prop there...

    I could also make a header for Cluso's Ramblade...

    I'd like to add more holes, but ExpressPCB has a hard limit of 650 holes for their proto service :(

    I have to think about the cost... I believe could sell the bare main board for under $20. Problem is that I think demand would be fairly limited...
    Also, I don't really want to solder in all those parts myself, so at best I could make a kit.

    The front panels are fairly expensive too. Depending on color and material, they cost me about $40 each! So, I'll probably just supply my template so people can order their own directly from FrontPanelExpress and add in their own text/logo.
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  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2010-10-14 09:12
    I can source my own parts and solder my own together. I'd just like the bare board, the box and the custom panel.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-10-14 09:20
    Well, your exactly the customer I was hoping for! The box is just a standard Hammond one from Digikey... I'll take a look to see if there's a price break or not...
  • w4fejw4fej Posts: 264
    edited 2010-10-23 18:40
    Rayman wrote: »
    It works!

    Also, here's a photo of the front panel.· It actually fits not too badly.· I forgot the 4 holes in the corners for the mounting screws and had to drill them myself [noparse]:([/noparse]· Also, the stock VGA cutout doesn't fit the Norcomp connector at all and I had to use a hole punch to get the VGA connector studs to stick through...

    Ray: do you have a picture of the improved" front panel? I like the look of that panel. Is it metal??

    Mike B.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-10-24 08:04
    Mike,

    I just got the revised panel Friday... I'll try to post a photo Monday.

    I'm using aluminum, but FrontPanelExpress gives you lots of material and color options...

    Also have the new boards and started populating it. Should know next week if there are any problems.
  • Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) Posts: 1,720
    edited 2010-10-24 08:26
    @Rayman

    Looks great. It's great to have a nice panel. The panel was always the most difficult part for me, it's hard to do a nice job yourself if you don't have the correct tools. I did a few PIC Micro projects (a few years ago), with the same case( a smaller version) and used a panel program to make a template but did the cutting and drilling myself. I''ll most likely use your files to make a design sometime in the near future.

    How would you cut a LCD panel in that aluminum case? What tools would you use?

    Thanks! for sharing

    Bob
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-10-24 13:53
    What kind of LCD do you mean? Assuming you mean those small serial text ones, there might be space on the front panel for it...

    I don't think this type of case lends itself to 3.5" or 4.3" lcds. But, there may be other cases in this Hammond line that would work better...
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-10-27 12:05
    Here's a couple photos of the new board and front panel. I tried "red" this time, but I don't think I like it. But, this version is much better than the last physically as it has all the required holes.

    The VGA portion of the new main board works, but the rest needs testing. The daughter board fits perfectly, so I'm pretty happy with this setup so far...
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  • eod_punkeod_punk Posts: 146
    edited 2010-10-27 12:15
    Very nice setup Rayman. I think the red looks pretty good too.
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-11-02 11:11
    Ok, everything seems to work: VGA, KB, Mouse, SD, RTC, Network, Expanded I/O.

    Front panel looks good, maybe I'll tweak it just a bit next time.

    Looked into adding an RCA jack for video and maybe one for audio. I think there's just barely enough room on the side of the board. The side of the board is useless in the metal case, but I'm thinking that the people interested in TV output wouldn't be putting it in this case anyway...

    Now, I just need to scrape up $500 to order a batch of boards...
  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2010-11-12 14:42
    I've got my finger on the order button for 50 boards (minimum quantity to get a decent price). I'm not so confident in the demand for these boards, but I think I'll do it anyway...

    I've added a TV output port on the side and a few extra mounting holes....
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  • RaymanRayman Posts: 14,887
    edited 2011-02-01 11:45
    Update:

    We'll I've had the boards for a while and finally got around to testing them out.
    I've discovered 2 rather embassing, but recoverable errors that I'll mention, just in case anybody uses the files I've posted in this thread.

    Error #1: The ground pad of C1 is supposed to be connected to the ground plane, but it isn't. I can fix this by scraping off solder resist and running a solder bead to the ground plane.

    Error #2: The SD card connectors ground pins aren't connected to ground. The wierd thing about this error is that the SD card I was testing with worked even without the ground connection!
    Anyway, I can fix this problem with solder or wire from the ground pins to the metal shell, which I've fortunately grounded.

    I considered trashing these boards and getting new ones to sell, but instead I'll sell the boards with the errors fixed already.

    I'll start a new thread now saying the boards are for sale. I'll sell them with the SD card connector and C1 installed in order to correct the above errors.
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