Star Tech Journal
Issue: 1988-August - Vol 10 Issue 6 - Page 6
(
STAR*TECH Journal
6
August 1988
The Ideal Cabinet Design
•
Continuing last issue's discussion on conversion cabinet preferences,
Evan Wessel of Mercury Amusement, Havertown, Pennsylvania and
Mike Cowen of Video Images, Scottsdale, Arizona get down to details.
From: Evan Wessel
To:
Mike Cowen
It now makes sense to buy a good quality
blank cabinet because of the JAMMA stan-
dard for PC boards. This makes it easy to sell
your old board and keep your good cabinet
for the nextJAMMAconversion. Pop in anew
board, modify the control panel and change
the graphics. It's almost like a "System"
game.
CABINET DETAILS
Now for our quality cabinet: Width: 25",
Depth: 30", Height: 5' 6". Weight: the lighter
the better. 3/4" or 5/8" plywood would be
lightweight and indestructible. I would
gladlypay$100 more for this. Good venting,
but soda spill must not get into the monitor
or electronics! If a fan is used it should be
quiet and filtered. Handle for moving. 6 amp
on/ off switch in suggested standard loca-
tion. No side decals.
MONITOR DETAILS
Wells Gardner 19". Clear tempered glass
monitor shield with separate tinted glass for
glare reduction. Instruction stickers could
be placed in between glasses and still be
legible. Tint should be light or excess moni-
tor brightness will be required. Monitor
should easily mount in a horizontal or verti-
cal position. The neck board should be at
least 2" from the back door to protect picture
tube.
CONTROL PANEL DETAILS
Broad, unbendable, with slight tilt upwards.
Player's wrist should rest comfortably and
not be bent too far back. Allow enough room
for at least 2 joysticks and 14 buttons.
Control panel must latch securely to be pry
proof. Optional panel inserts for different
layouts should be included.
COIN DOOR DETAILS
Over /Under type with bounce resistant coin
switches. (Coin Controls is my choice).
e
MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS
2 good quality speakers for stereo games. L-
Pad volume control in convenient location.
Solid bracing. Casters mounted in blocks.
AC service outlet near control panel. 2 locks
on back door.
Vandal/Tamper /Impact resistant.
From: Mike Cowen
To:
Evan Wessel
I've been talking to my "Wood Wizard" and he
doesn't have any problem with your specs
but we do have a few questions.
CONTOUR
I assume you don't want a square box of that
size so give me a few examples of existing
games that I can show him to get ideas, or to
duplicate. If there is a perfect part of a game
you have in mind, or if there are parts of
various games you would like to see com-
bined into one cabinet design, please indi-
cate this.
ft
STAR*TECH Journal
6
August 1988
The Ideal Cabinet Design
•
Continuing last issue's discussion on conversion cabinet preferences,
Evan Wessel of Mercury Amusement, Havertown, Pennsylvania and
Mike Cowen of Video Images, Scottsdale, Arizona get down to details.
From: Evan Wessel
To:
Mike Cowen
It now makes sense to buy a good quality
blank cabinet because of the JAMMA stan-
dard for PC boards. This makes it easy to sell
your old board and keep your good cabinet
for the nextJAMMAconversion. Pop in anew
board, modify the control panel and change
the graphics. It's almost like a "System"
game.
CABINET DETAILS
Now for our quality cabinet: Width: 25",
Depth: 30", Height: 5' 6". Weight: the lighter
the better. 3/4" or 5/8" plywood would be
lightweight and indestructible. I would
gladlypay$100 more for this. Good venting,
but soda spill must not get into the monitor
or electronics! If a fan is used it should be
quiet and filtered. Handle for moving. 6 amp
on/ off switch in suggested standard loca-
tion. No side decals.
MONITOR DETAILS
Wells Gardner 19". Clear tempered glass
monitor shield with separate tinted glass for
glare reduction. Instruction stickers could
be placed in between glasses and still be
legible. Tint should be light or excess moni-
tor brightness will be required. Monitor
should easily mount in a horizontal or verti-
cal position. The neck board should be at
least 2" from the back door to protect picture
tube.
CONTROL PANEL DETAILS
Broad, unbendable, with slight tilt upwards.
Player's wrist should rest comfortably and
not be bent too far back. Allow enough room
for at least 2 joysticks and 14 buttons.
Control panel must latch securely to be pry
proof. Optional panel inserts for different
layouts should be included.
COIN DOOR DETAILS
Over /Under type with bounce resistant coin
switches. (Coin Controls is my choice).
e
MISCELLANEOUS DETAILS
2 good quality speakers for stereo games. L-
Pad volume control in convenient location.
Solid bracing. Casters mounted in blocks.
AC service outlet near control panel. 2 locks
on back door.
Vandal/Tamper /Impact resistant.
From: Mike Cowen
To:
Evan Wessel
I've been talking to my "Wood Wizard" and he
doesn't have any problem with your specs
but we do have a few questions.
CONTOUR
I assume you don't want a square box of that
size so give me a few examples of existing
games that I can show him to get ideas, or to
duplicate. If there is a perfect part of a game
you have in mind, or if there are parts of
various games you would like to see com-
bined into one cabinet design, please indi-
cate this.
ft
Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).