My home built metal DDR pad (Part IV)

[slvrshdw]

gone for a few days and a few replies i see..

cleaning the sheet metal...id guess like a windex or something (never done it)

you can get the graphics made from kinkos (it says in the vids if i remember right)

best sensor design....hm.. i'd have to say its the matrix design with the mousepad... or riptides...they all work, just a matter of preference
(i like the matrix cause it seems to hold up the best and works nicely)



now for the update on my cabinet im building:
i made the side panels (finally), and re-secured the top panel thing, replaced my tv with a tempory monitor (waiting for the tv still), and i'm started on working on the top banner thing with the lighted plex top thingie
i'll get pics hopefully soon (gotta borrow some ones digicam)
_________________

[Honzo]

hmm, ive heard alot about this "matrix" design, but i am still quite unsure what it is, can anyone refer me to a page or a brief explaination?

[MasterInuYasha]

[ChilliumBromide]

I'd say that's pine, bleached oak, or maple, but I could be wrong.
_________________

I used to be active here lol

[Reaper_13_6]

Hey, im new to the DDR Freak.... scene... i guess. and have yet to start building my own Metal pad, im planning on making stoli's and i have some questions if you don't mind Sorry if they're repeats.... i got to about page 10 of the movie mirror complaints first thoug

1. I'm going to dismantle a Ignition: Energy pad for this, is there a special way of going about removing the terminal or is it just "cut it from the pad." and could the USB/XBox/PS2 compatability cause me any problems?

2. What kind of paper did you use for your graphics. I live in Serbrooke, Quebec, no fancy printing place to go to nearby, will it turn out with like...photo paper?

3. How well does your pad play. o . 0 ?

Thx

P.S, anyone designing homade Bars?

[dj_sammylvr03]

[stoli]

[ChilliumBromide]

There's a huge Zerox (Xerox. . . some printing company) facility in Wilsonville, just outside of Portland, and I'm wanting to say it's the HQ ('cause there are a lot of big companies based in the Western Portland Metro Area), but I might be wrong. Anyway, I'm figuring that I might just check there if I can't find a Kinko's.
_________________

I used to be active here lol

[MasterInuYasha]

So, I have some questions:

I am going to use Anthony of TGA's Design, The thicker frame and all, I am going make my own arrows. Questions:

1. What thickness of Lexen/plexi should I use? I want the "close to arcade" arrow thickness. So, that's what, 1/2''?

2.Sensors: I was going to make my own, I was going to put a positive and negative, The Negative being the whole bottom of the arrow


And to Keep the arrow from sitting directly on the sensors, I was going to do this:

Use these springs:





And these to dampen the contact between the arrow and the sensor

[img] http://inventgeek.com/Projects/dancepad1/Images/11.JPG[/img]


And do this to the Lexen/plexi glass for "rebound"





And do this to the soft-pad to make the connection:




Okay. So that's what I am going to do, Since I can't afford to buy the replacement arcade arrows, and Sensors.

Am I doing it right? OR wrong? ADVICE PLEASE! O_o

[dalcor]

I talked to slvrshdw about this. But he didn't have a definite answer.

I weigh 275lb... will these metal pads support it, if not what can I modify to change that? Any ideas? thanx ^^

[geckoinc99]

dalcor,
Are you asking if these pads in general can hold that weight? The answer is "Yes" depending on how you build it. I built mine similar to Riptide's design and they have held up to almost 400 lbs. Basically, here's the breakdown of the layers:

0.093" plexi
Graphic
0.22" plexi
sheetmetal contact

(end of arrow panel)

2" Mending strip on washers
3/4" plywood base

Also, there is a raised platform that is level with the mending strips in the middle. It's purpose is to keep the plexiglass from bending (which is the main cause of plexiglass failure). As long as it is level with the mending strips and not taller, it will not interfere with gameplay. I just bought some wooden dowel and cut it to the height I needed. I used a 1", but I think wider would be better, maybe at least 2". You really could use any type of wood as long as it's easy to cut to height. By adding that middle support, you will be able to hold lots of weight.

If you don't want to do Riptide's design, then you can go with the DDRHomepad design or Stoli design, basically any of the ones that the plexi sits on a flat surface. Again, the idea is no bending. If you have other questions, let the group know.

David
_________________

Life is very different 3000 feet above the earth with only a wing to hold you up....
Can't wait to be there again. Wanna join me? Visit http://www.hanglide.com

[slvrshdw]

@MasterInuYasha,
i think that would work, just try it out and see. i know someone else use(d) springs before, but i cant remember how it worked out


good news on my cabinet!
i had my friend work on the banner and printed it out on normal paper. then i put a light behind it and WHOA, it looks amazing, i'll get pics tomm
i will also get pics of the *small* progress i have on it.
i'm focusing on the banner thing right now, then i'm going to work on the speakers, then the TV
_________________

[MasterInuYasha]

[MasterInuYasha]

So anyone else have any input?


My main question is, Sensors and getting the arrow to rebound (not stick on the arrow) since I can't afford arcade replacement arrows, and replacement sensors, I have to make my own.

[EnigmaFX]

[Honzo]

[slvrshdw]

ok, i have a few pics for now; ill get more later when i work on it more
the monitor is just tempory (im going to get a TV soon )

sorry for the big pic size




_________________

[Donkey Kong]

how would you get your pad to have lights and light up? is there a guide or something for this?

[ChilliumBromide]

There's a few ways to get arrows to light up when you hit 'em, but the easiest is to rewire the panels with parallel light circuits and sensor circuits, so that they light up when you hit them. . . 99.9% of the time.
_________________

I used to be active here lol

[Donkey Kong]

thanks, i found patsters guide for it too.