Making a 3.5inch LCD, advice please?

I'd really like to make a LCD for my Shuttle to fit its 3.5inch bay. Trouble is Im having trouble finding a module that will fit?

I've been checking out Matrix Orbitals site but there seems to be a bewildering array of displays and I admit to knowing next to nothing about these things, though Im sure I will soon! ;)

I'd basically just like a *insert highest number possible given bays dimensions (90mmx20mm?)* x two-line back-lit (blue preferably) LCD that would fit in a 3.5inch bay. Could someone recommend me a Matrix Orbital module that would fit my requirements? Does one even exist, surely it must?

Before someone mentions it, I know Crystalfontz do a 3.5inch LCD bay kit but I don't like it and would rather make my own. :)

The other problem I imagine having is cutting out the hole for the display panel in the bay plate and getting the cut looking really professional? Im not sure I'd be up to the task with the equipment (& skill!) I have, basically a Dremel. Does anyone know of companies that will make cuts like this if you supply the dimensions?

Any help appreciated,

Jim.

hi gizmo

right, when it comes to fitting an lcd display to a 3.5 floppy bay on a shuttle im affraid its not gonna be an easy task and will test your nerves (especially if its ure first time) but nonetheless im happy to hear that your prepared to be original and unique and do it yourself (im not a fan of crystalfontz,z "lazymans" lcd for 3.5 bays,it makes the mod look too common and cheap as every 1's doin it now with shuttles) theres nothing like originality,and ule feel alot prouder knowing when its all done and stunning "you did it yourself".

its also quite a time consuming mod (most of the times spent doublechecking measurements and sanding/smoothing) and will probably take you the best part of ten hours or more (if ure a perfectionist like me) to get it right for ure first time, usually the times halved the second time round as you gained valuble experience the first time round,theres alot of cutting involved and once you move onto ure actual faceplate and make the first cut your adrenalin will be spiking but be sensible and take ure time and ule do just fine,wed all like to have the worry taken off our shoulders by a proffesional company who would provide a guaranteed service for these types of mods but sadly there arent any available "at least to my knowledge anyway".

for your first lcd display ide definately reccomend a matrix orbital mx 2x20 usb as its small enuff to minimise any xtreme amounts of cutting/shaping (for your first lcd mod attempt) and also it can be wired to your internal usb headers and ofcourse there displays are far supperior imho,the contrast/brightness/allround visibility/and extras are second to none,theyre around £80 which isnt exactly cheap but you get what you pay for and what your paying for here is about the best on the market.

i did a guide early sometime last year which explains the basics of how to do the mod,ile do a search and post the link later for you.

edit.

you can find the guide on page 2 of this thread:http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.p...hlight=lcd+mod

Thanks micovwar thats great!

I really like what you did with yours and Im tempted to do something similar and send off to that German company. Would you be willing to send me the template you created for the faceplate of your Shuttle?

Just so Im clear with what your tutorial is saying. The matrix orbital mx221 module must be around 25mm in height? How did you find this out? Looking on oribitals website they don't seem to give dimensions for their displays with bezels. This must also mean you took off the bezel the 221 came with, was this easy?

What I'd really like though is a VFD. Do you know of any that would fit the dimensions I need? ie if I going to mod the Shuttle's chassis then length isnt a problem BUT height still is (I'd like to keep the drives cages general dimensions) so around 25mm tops.

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

Thanks micovwar thats great!

Would you be willing to send me the template you created for the faceplate of your Shuttle?

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yeh shure gimme ure mail and ile send em through,i done a few so u can take ure pick.

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

Just so Im clear with what your tutorial is saying. The matrix orbital mx221 module must be around 25mm in height?

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yep its actually bout 24.5mm by 83mm and its just the visible display,its the pcb board size thats important which is 37mm by 117.5mm.

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

How did you find this out?

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alot of these 2x20 lcd,s r based on a similar design and pcb, so i stripped down a visa pdq from work which just happened to house a 2x20 lcd and took the measurements from that before i bought my matrix orbital.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

Looking on oribitals website they don't seem to give dimensions for their displays with bezels. This must also mean you took off the bezel the 221 came with, was this easy?

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yep i took it off there basically held in by small screws on the back so no prob there.

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

What I'd really like though is a VFD.

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dont we all,lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

Do you know of any that would fit the dimensions I need? ie if I going to mod the Shuttle's chassis then length isnt a problem BUT height still is

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not exactlty,uve got quite abit of depth to play with so u could go for a 4x20 lcd (like im gettin this week for a new sn41g2 mod) the only reason i reccomended a 2x20 was becouse itle be slightly easier to work with where a 4x20 doesnt give u much margin for error.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gizmo1990

(I'd like to keep the drives cages general dimensions) so around 25mm tops.

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you can still keep the drive cage dimension,s but u will find ule have to cut a little outof it becouse of the pins on the back of the pcb board on the lcd,,ule see wot i mean when u buy 1. [/QUOTE]