17 replies to this topic

[DDH69]

I've decided that I need a new build project, something to experiment with, and of course games for a bit of enjoyment.  What I've decided to do is build a full size stand-up arcade cabinet and make it do a lot of fun stuff.  This will be my build thread.

 

I built a couple of MAME coffee tables a while back that I described here.  This one will be much larger, not subtle at all, and have a lot of toys.

 

The plan includes

 

• Stand up cabinet with opening back and front
• Coin door on front
• 3 x laptop screens side by side to make a wide marquee for the top to display the appropriate game marquee
• A landscape 30" ish monitor
• Single set of controls, joystick and 6 button setup
• Another 6 control buttons on the playfield - these will be RGB lit.
• Lit coin entry buttons on the door
• A few more lit buttons on the front for power, volume, etc
• BIG stereo sound
• A base with lifters to deploy castors for moving
• A few solenoids
• A knocker
• RGB lighting on the back
• 5 x flashers
• MX addressable LEDs
• Full DOF
• DOFLinx talking to MAME
• and whatever else I think will be a good idea

So far I've ordered lots of bits and pieces, then this weekend some timber.  I've "frankenstiened" a PC and loaded up Windows 10, MAME, DOFLinx, PinUp Popper.

 

I like to build all of my own electronics, so this weekend I've built my transformer sub unit and started on the power supply sub unit.  I've also prototyped my PinScape expansion board.  My current calculation has me using 55 PWM outputs, 8 digital outputs, and 26 inputs. 

 

The transformer sub unit has a 300VA toroidal transformer, two bridge rectifiers feeding two 10,000uF capacitors.  This will connect to the power supply sub unit delivering some pretty heavy duty multiple supply rails.  Here are a few pictures;

 

 

I've started building the power supply sub unit.  Like all of my builds, everything is componetised and detachable for service.  Most units are mounted on 6mm plastic (except the transformer because its too heavy so its on ply).  This unit will have a control board running 2 x separate 12V rails and a 5V rail.  It will also have the four PWM drivers for the fans.  Here are some build pictures;

 

 

To make all those inputs and outputs work I've decided to build a Pinscape and my own expansion board with MOSFETs based on three TLC5940 chips.  I ran up the prototype today.  A few flaky connections on the prototype board, but generally all is well.  Here is a picture of the prototype (with my other Pinscape test rig in the background);

 

 

Now for some of the software.  I've started work on getting DOFLinx to recognise MAME triggers.  This means that based on whatever outputs MAME can provide DOFLinx can be used to drive all of the usual things, toys, button LEDs, flashers, RGB lighting, addressable LED effects, PUP videos, etc.  Progress is good on this.  I have a number of games triggering DOFLinx and outputs onto my test Pinscape.  It will work a bit like the FX configuration where a file per game (xx.MAME file) will determine the configuration and action taken per trigger.  There is an All_Pre.MAME and ALL_Post.MAME for common triggers and actions.  I've also built in the ability for DOFLinx to generate a trigger file when each game runs which has a log of all the available triggers.  People will definately need to build their own game specific files - just too many for me!  Until I get a cabinet built I will not be able to show it all in meaningful operation, but until then, here is a video of the triggers and test rig outputs.

 

https://youtu.be/9Cgywt213E8

 

I shall continue to post as the build progresses.  It will take a while and be a bit sporadic as life continues around pinball and other toys.

Edited by DDH69, 10 September 2019 - 09:00 AM.

[DDH69]

Since I've been testing out my prototype of my Pinscape expansion circuit using a few TLC5940 chips, I thought I'd share my circuit diagram.

 

[DDH69]

So more progress this weekend.  I've almost finished the power supply sub unit and forget to take a picture, so later for that.  After successful tests of my expansion circuit after I added the optocoupler, etc, I started building that board and sub unit.  Here are a couple of pictures of the expansion board sub unit, so far just the drilled plastic base and a partially completed circuit board.

 

 

Now most importantly I started on the main shape.  I blended a number of designs, marked it out on some test thin plywood and cut it out.  I've then been placing parts and drawing on my best guess cut out to see what works and what doesn't.  So far I want to add a curve to the top front, have a 45 degree cut off on the top back ad investigate a better way / place for the keyboard drawer.  Here are a couple of pictures.

 

 

[Badazzwi]

Looks like it will be quite an impressive build. I look forward to seeing the progress. Virtual pinball has severely halted progress on my mame cab.

[dajz]

Looks something I have in my head for my next build, will follow this

[captaincroutons]

Very excited to see where this goes! When I finally build my full size cab(Ive built several bartop arcades), I definitely want to go all out like this.

[DDH69]

So I've been working on the woodwork mainly, and a little bit on the electronics if I do anything in the evening.

 

For the woodwork, I made my changes based on some trial and error from the thin trial side I cut a couple of weeks ago.  I translated all of that to a couple of sheets of 17mm (3/4") ply and cut them out with the jig saw.  I've them cut a heap of other panel part, base, back, a few pieces for the top and the controller area.  I've done the controller area out of some higher quality 17mm ply I happen to have, that way it will be a lot smoother when I eventually add the artwork.  I've started forming the controller area deciding to make it as a unit before it joins the cabinet, that way I can more easily heat and form the perspex top and drill the button holes with the hole saw on the drill press.  Here are a few images.

 

 

As I said, I've also been progressing some of the electronic.  This has all been on my expansion board sub unit.  I've finished the on board components for both the main PWM expansion board and my flip-flop controller for relays to control devices via the DOFLinx pop up menu.  Here are a couple of pictures.

 

 

Now probably a couple of weekends off from this project.  Its a long weekend in Oz this one coming, so a quick drive to Melbourne for the weekend.  After that its the biggest motor racing weekend of the year with the Bathurst 1000km race.  So maybe some more minor stuff, then back to it in a couple of weeks.

[captaincroutons]

Nice to see a project start coming together, the woodworking is always my favorite part.

[DDH69]

OK a bit of time back on the arcade build this weekend.  Not as much as I'd like, there was other pinball work to do in preparation for the FX3 Monsters Pack.

 

Anyway, a bit more work on the electronics in the form of the expansion board.  No pictures this time, but shortly.

 

Progress on the woodwork with more mounting 18x18mm sections connected to the sides ready for forming up the "box".  I've been adding some of the known position required holes such as fans, etc because its much easier when the pieces are flat and I can use the drill press.

 

I've made good progress on the controls area.  The controls area will be plywood, with decals, then covered with perspex.  The perspex needed to be heat formed over the rounded edges of the controls section, two roughly 90 degree bends.  This was a bit tough with only a heat gun given the width (700mm), but I got it done.  After bending I marked out the controls area and drilled pilot holes through both to ensure they had to fit later on.  I then used the hole saw on the wood and perspex separately to get all the holes.  Once drilled I put the two parts back together (temporarily), and yes, all the holes matched.  I then placed them on the side so that I could afix the 18x18mm mounting timber.  Here are some photos:

 

[DDH69]

In between plenty happening in my non-pinball life, needing to release DOFLinx V7, and doing updates for the latest FX3, I've actually managed to progress a few things on the arcade cabinet.  A few evenings and most of today have seen some progress.  The highlights are that the expansion sub-unit is almost done, and the cabinet is now standing.

 

The expansion sub-unit has been alpha tested for the flip-flop outputs and expanded outputs.  I;ve still got some MOSFETs to mount and then a final test to do.  I found that the prototype boards I used were not the best quality and had a few subtly joined tracks, that made testing intesting with a few cuts required between tracks.  In addition, I misread the pinouts of the KL25Z, they are numbered for connection from below with a standard IDC header and cable.  By connecting the header on top it meant that ever second cable was transposed, so sadly a bit of re-soldering.  Anyway its done now.  Here are a few pictures.

 

 

The woodwork has progressed.  As I've said before, my aim is to drill and cut as many of the required holes before folding it all up together.  I just find it easier to dill and hole saw on the drill press.  So I've managed to get a lot of sides done.  There are far more than in a pinball cabinet which is really just two boxes.  This thing has lots of angles, then add in the idea of slide out shelves and it gets complex.  Anyway, I put the base and back in position while everything was on its side to test the fit.  Once it was clear that would work I added the glue and screws.  Apart from a few nervous moments, the planning paid off and everything went together well.  Now its standing up on my floor and off the top of my pool table.  Here are some images.

 

 

The next steps will be to add the mounting rails for the main screen, cut some doors, etc.  So still a lot to do before I start painting.

[DDH69]

A little bit of progress this weekend.  Still on the woodwork mainly.  I hope to be ready to start painting in a couple of weeks, although, I just bought a house, so a couple of weekend's work to tidy things up before renting it.  Ultimately (and realistically), I might be painting over Christmas.

 

I've cut a few more panels, the three drawers / sliding shelves, front door and back door.The front door has had holes for buttons, the lock and the coin door all cut. Today I've been making the screen frame and mounting.  Its time consuming because of all the odd angles, but good progress.  Here are a few pictures.

 

 

I had one of those "Only in Australia" moments today while fitting the screen to the cabinet.  Its was a nice day in Adelaide, about 19 degrees, so I had the door to my games room open.  I was measuring angles and fitting the screen frame when I saw movement out the corner of my eye by my feet, a koala had wandered inside of the room and over to me.  He was about to sit on my foot when I jumped, he got startled, and as koalas do, he just meandered back outside and did a lap of my backyard before finding a tree he liked.  My phone was at the door end of the room, I was at the far end, so by the time I grabbed the phone (camera) he'd wandered back outside.  Anyway, I got a couple of pictures.

 

[DDH69]

The last of the woodwork got done with the section above the screen that will house the speakers.  Also some guides for the moving panel with the drop down wheels.

 

I finally started some painting.  Most parts undercoated, some reverse sides still to go, and then a light sand and another coat for the sides that will have decals.

 

Some more pictures.

 

[DDH69]

Some progress on the cabinet over the Christmas break.  The inside, visible parts of the outside, and all the shelves, etc have been painted matt black.  Stuzza has nearly completed the artwork, which will look amazing.  The most exciting bit is that the internal lifter has been built.

 

The internal lifter is designed to allow the cabinet to sit on its base normally, but when extended to allow easy movement by rolling on 4 castors.  This means easy movement when there is one of me, no sack truck, no heavy lifting, etc.  The lifter is my design, and just seemed like a good idea.  The basis of it is, build the base to sit flat on ground with 4 holes for the wheels, build a small platform with 4 castors, make some electric winders (1 tonne each) pull some stainless steel cables connected to hidden bolts built into the side frame.  THis allows the cabinet to be pulled up around the wheeled base.

 

Here are a stack of photos, roughly in build order, plus a really shaky video.

 

 

And the video https://www.youtube....eature=youtu.be

 

Now to start some cabling and mounting the sliding shelves.

[DDH69]

So, thanks to Stuzza doing some great artwork for me, this weekend was all about making this thing look great.  Here are some pictures.

 

 

Now the build continues.  Lots of wiring to come soon.

[DDH69]

And now the wiring starts.  The front door is first.  The bottom sliding shelf is for power, Pinscape and the output controller.  The second sliding shelf is for the PC.  Once I have them in properly I'll post some pictures of them.  For the time being, here's a few wiring images with the front door open.

 

[DDH69]

So I've finally got my arcade cabinet "Arcade Universe" essentially finished (well as finished as these things ever get anyway).

 

Cabinet details:

• Windows 10
• PinUp Popper as the menu
• DOFLinx for linking MAME to the toys
• Addressable LED array of 96x8, plus two 60 LED strips left and right
• 5 x flashers
• RGB undercab lighting at the back
• 3 x solenoids (setup as ML, MC, and MR)
• a knocker
• 6 x RGB buttons
• Joystick
• 8 x game button panel
• Coin door
• 7 x front door buttons
• volume up down buttons on the front door
• Slide out keyboard / mouse drawer
• Slide out PC shelf
• Slide out Power / control shelf
• Stereo sound
• 32" main screen
• 3 x 10.6" screens to make the marquee
• Back door for access
• Self lifting onto castors using 2 x electric lifters

The cabinet is clearly for game play and fun, but it has also allowed the development of DOFLinx messaging MAME so that toys can be run directly from game outputs and also from score changes and totals as games are played.

 

Here is a video of the cabinet and some MAME game play https://youtu.be/m5taWBrGtKA

 

And also a short tour of the cabinet. https://youtu.be/Lgc6hO0bABs

[vd2021]

I built my vpin last fall and just came across your videos. I found yourame downloads but I can't find the sticky/how to you refer to. Is there a link you can provide? Thanks.

[DDH69]

I built my vpin last fall and just came across your videos. I found yourame downloads but I can't find the sticky/how to you refer to. Is there a link you can provide? Thanks.

 

What sticky are you referring to?