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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : MM+ 7" TFT on the wall....
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Grogster Admin Group  Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9749 |
Here's one for Geoff who likes to see use of his MM stuff. A couple of shots of the security system panel - built on MM+ technology.    I am very pleased with how well the new panel matches the wall colour.  I just asked the engineering works to powder-coat it 'Cream', but there are many shades of cream, and I guess I was just lucky.  The panel itself is laser-cut 1.6mm mild-steel sheet. All the holes for the likes of the LCD and the thermal printer were laser-cut at the same time as the panel size, naturally. The panel cost about NZ$40 to have laser-cut AND powder-coated, which I considered an extremely good deal. This is the replacement system for the one that got cooked about a year ago with the lightning strike from God. I've had the system running on a hash-up of bits and pieces in the meantime, just so there was something in place, but this is the actual replacement. The builders made me the wall-cavity box, and fitted it to the wall, then all I had to do, was populate the panel with all the bits, and get it going. The idea behind the 'Step-out' hinges was so the panel can be easily opened if needed, but you won't see any hinge(s). These hinges are actually designed for kitchen cupboards. But it makes the panel look very neat on the wall, and as this panel is at main reception..... The key above the white reset button is the panel lock, to keep nosy people out of the back of it. The smaller key down the bottom-right enables remote-admin mode, where the system connects the MM+ console to a network serial module, allowing me to connect to the MM+ remotely if some kind of issue needs working out. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| flip Senior Member  Joined: 18/07/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 117 |
Hi Grogs, That is seriously pro work you've done there....very impressive. Do the stereo speakers can play nice music as well for the receptionists? or wake them up when needed ?? There are some really good ideas there Grogs thanks for posting... Regards Phil |
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GoodToGo! Senior Member Joined: 23/04/2017 Location: AustraliaPosts: 188 |
One very impressive piece of work there Grogs! Top stuff  You're right on the hinges, makes the panel integrate well. The thing looks like it's screwed to the wall! Cheers, GTG!  ...... Don't worry mate, it'll be GoodToGo! |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9749 |
@ flip - No, they don't currently, but as the design uses an MP3 player module, this could certainly be added as a feature for the future. The idea behind the little speakers was for alarm sounds and voice-prompts more then music. @ GTG - Yeah, seeing as this panel is on the wall behind the receptionist, I wanted a panel that looked neat and tidy, and a large hinge on the left side would work, but it looks ugly, and when you need main reception to remain tidy and presentable.... I am very pleased with the way these hinges worked out. The compression-springs that were part of those hinges originally were popped out, so that the hinges just work as a hinge, and there is no spring assistance. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Paul_L Guru  Joined: 03/03/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 769 |
Hey Grogs I really like the looks of that special interface board with the screw in strain relieved D sub connector. Connectors are usually the source of the most problematical intermittent problems. It pays to use really good ones. I'm still working on my geothermal mess. Paul in NY |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9749 |
Yes, one thing I really like about the D-series plugs and sockets, is the thumbscrews. They really allow you to anchor the cable to the socket. As this is also a true RS-232 output(there is a MAX3232 on-board), it made sense to use the standard 9-pin D-socket if possible. That black serial cable connects to a pager transmitter upstairs which sends out messages to the staff if someone opens doors/windows etc after hours, so they know exactly where to look.Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Boppa Guru Joined: 08/11/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 816 |
Company I was working for had their computer inside a similar box, to get a more attractive front panel they would get it fairly thick (3 or 4 mm) Al plate laser or waterjet cut, then instead of using screws through the front, drill and tap blind holes from the back and fit threaded studs to secure displays, etc to the front panel from behind Gives a lovely smooth finish that looks a million bucks when powdercoated |
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CaptainBoing Guru Joined: 07/09/2016 Location: United KingdomPosts: 2171 |
similar approach we used when I was a yoof, the company used to drill and countersink. The countersunk screws were the spot-welded, filled and then sanded flush. Again, lovely appearance when finished but a lot of faffing about beyond the means of most. I suppose you could achieve the same (and with not-steel panels/screws) with a post of the back of the screw, with a bit of loctite and then fill the countersink and sand it flush. Might get a small circular crack around the head after a fw years - I have seem similar on vehicle bodies. An extreme illustration is here although that is the repair of a crack it shows what I mean. |
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Geoffg Guru Joined: 06/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 3308 |
Thanks Grogs, it is great seeing a Micromite doing real work in a commercial environment. Hopefully it will be calling nurses for many years. Geoff Geoff Graham - http://geoffg.net |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9749 |
Thanks for the comments.  The panel is 'Low security' really, as anyone serious enough could just unscrew the hinge-bolts from the top, and edge the panel out. The concept is just to keep out nosey people, and to act as protection from 'Honest' people. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| Boppa Guru Joined: 08/11/2016 Location: AustraliaPosts: 816 |
One place to look for for some pretty nice breakout connectors is Phoenix connectors (available through Element 13 or whatever Farnell renamed themselves still I believe or RS Components) We used to use them in the mines for all sorts of circuits (you often see their screw connectors on pcb's- those green plastic terminal blocks They have a HUGE range(their cattledog back when I was working the mines was close to a 1000 pages thick!) and includes all sorts of stuff like db9/25 to the green multiconnectors for easy terminating, din rail or pcb mount ones, all sorts of ones  |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9749 |
"cattledog" - Cattledog? What's a cattledog? A dog that herds cattle as opposed to a sheep-dog?  That aside, interesting looking modules. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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| paceman Guru Joined: 07/10/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 1329 |
That's exactly right Grogs, no wimpy dogs over here. We breed ours tough and smart . Google 'Australian kelpie' or 'Australian blue heeler'Greg |
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bigmik Guru Joined: 20/06/2011 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2971 |
Grogs, and Non Aussies mates (cobbers, diggers etc) Boppa used a bit of the good old Aussie vernacular CATTLEDOG is an Aussie slang for CATALOG. Although I have only ever heard it used by techo types. Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<< |
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| Grogster Admin Group Joined: 31/12/2012 Location: New ZealandPosts: 9749 |
@ paceman - Touche' @ bigmik - I will have to brush up on my Aussie colloquialisms. Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops! |
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