Bench power supply suggestions

what is missing is a variable voltage and a panel meter your going to end up building another for 0-36 volts but if you plan to experiment with op amps there is +- voltages

I cut out the panels and installed the components.
I think it tuned out well.

.

.

That turned out sharp, nice work Larry.

Thanks Bob.

I had four of these power supplies sitting around for 15+ years gathering dust.
Decided I need to use it or lose it.

Very nice work, Larry!
What kind of material did you use for the front and back panels?

I am planning to do something similar with a universal power supply with different voltage output plus for HV tube experiments using a 1:1 transformer ( in my country 230V/230V) to isolate from direct mains supply.

Thank you rpt007.

I use "Black on Bright White Laserable Acrylic Sheet", many other color combinations are available. Comes in 1/16 and 1/8" thickness.
These are often used for name tags, signage etc.
You should be able to get this from Engraving supply shops.

Edit
I ordered some of these in several thicknesses, no coloured core though.

.

I ordered some of these in several thicknesses, no coloured core though.

This might sound dead obvious to most people here but I am a bit behind when it comes to panel making.

How do you get from this to the picture of post #10 ??

:slight_smile:

That material has no color core so then text will be matt black.
As mentioned, there are acrylic sheets available with a color core.

Here are similar panels:
2015-11-23_15-22-24.jpg

You design the layout with programs like Sketchup or AutoCAD.
Print the 1:1 layout on paper, confirm spacing with actual components.

With a hobby CNC machine, use bits as seen in post #4, import the drawing file to the CAM program then cut the panel.
I use BLUE set to 64 thou and RED to 20 thou.

.

Can you recommend a good hobby cnc machine?

Mine is 25+ years old, maybe try Sparkfun.

Also, this might be of interest using laminated paper.

http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=219747.msg1601329#msg1601329

See attached PDF for using Sketchup.

.

Sketchup Making a Front Panel Bezel REV1-0.pdf (1.2 MB)

Ok, I get the front and back panels, but what about the outer casing?

LarryD:
I had four of these power supplies sitting around for 15+ years gathering dust.

I had similar for many years., unused.

On power up the some of the output caps blew.

How was it for you. ?

The case is 'Hammond 1598GGY' - 250x160x75mm

Hammond makes lots of different styles.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=hammond+instrument+cases&rlz=1C9BKJA_enCA713CA713&hl=en-US&prmd=isvn&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&fir=H8fOhCaHOHjOvM%253A%252C3EFMdCzj8r1PaM%252C_%253BZ0-8-WlKVuTlGM%253A%252C_JwrX16XVlbeAM%252C_%253BsUw1kNuhbJQy6M%253A%252CPYmHNlZOZo2LfM%252C_%253BYWxRB8Y0nkdpGM%253A%252C5UF4T6G7QMZ9cM%252C_%253BDB04LJYbYrfBnM%253A%252CZSPCEF9cOP_BkM%252C_%253B-2krGIWwN6pjaM%253A%252Cq-ksyaOqoiWHrM%252C_%253B6XNi_eZqp3jLnM%253A%252CUJbLY_0rcwMU3M%252C_%253BXfvfj0dXgnlGWM%253A%252CVoeiPOREByMW3M%252C_%253Bg27PVisI3-S51M%253A%252C3EFMdCzj8r1PaM%252C_%253B_zw0lWL_a-XDsM%253A%252Cq-ksyaOqoiWHrM%252C_&usg=__dygmUTvjgQOvcnY-jpKYJbxIICg%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwisrsrt4ZXRAhVQ72MKHToUD4QQsAQIJA&biw=1024&bih=748

All four power supplies work :slight_smile: .
Not sure for how long. :frowning:

.

Wow, that's nice work LarryD. Thnks for the info, I had no idea how these items were made. I looked at the Sparkfun cnc machine and it seems to be a pretty good deal for a beginner. Is there anything you would suggest before I pull the trigger on this one? Shapeoko Deluxe Kit - TOL-13882 - SparkFun Electronics

This one has a 33" x 33" cutting area: Shapeoko 4 CNC Router - Carbide 3D

What's nice is you can cut out any shape you can draw. :slight_smile:

The software to control the machine is very important.
My CAMtool control software is poor, but it does accept files created in AutoCAD and SketchUp so that makes up for things.

As with any purchase look at several different offerings before you settle one one.
Before you buy, take a look on YouTube for examples what others are doing.

I think there are CNC forums out there.

Hints:
When cutting, with the tool, X Y and Z speed must be matched to the material you are working on, i.e. wood, acrylic, fiber glass composite, aluminum, ABS etc.
Also, the speed of the rotary cutting tool and bit type is very important.

I have not gotten into laser cutting yet, maybe some day.

Things can get dusty/messy. :wink:
.

The bed size is important, mine is 22"X22".
Most things I work on are within 16X16"

Edit:
With a little imagination you can come up with interesting designs.

Clock.png

.

I have AutoCAD 2015, is it not standard for cnc machines to accept AutoCAD files?

I am not sure what is standard for CNC machines, I just know what my machine takes.

I got AutoCad 2016/17 before they went to the yearly subscription version.

I plot the drawing to a .plt file and the CAMtool software works on that.