I am considering making and selling control boxes and or escutcheons.
The boxes would not have any components attached, it would be the job of the buyer to mount their desired components.
They would be made of a durable plastic. Poly Prop I guess. The same stuff they use in kids playgrounds.

Would you consider such a product?
How much would you think was a fair price? $50 - 100?
How could the box be improved?
Am I barking up the wrong tree?

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Look good Benny, durable plastic is a good idea, not sure the best type but I know ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is common on bikes for body panels, fairings etc. Its got a fairly good impact resistance and very nice surface finish.
 Personally I would be looking for a vertical style rather the horizontal in your drawings. The panels you have set aside for buttons etc would preferably be easily removable for drilling etc and would be a good idea if they could be bought seperately so that modifications at a later date would just be the simple matter of ordering the required panel.
 Screen size would be an important factor  for me as I always use touch screens so a min of 17inch and the way things are going now I think 19 might be preferable as dont think 17's will be easily obtained in the future. Think you would really need some form of mounting the screens in, this could be as simple as some standoffs in the back so that a metal strap could be secured with setscrews so maybe the standoff should have brass threaded inserts.
 Just a few thoughts.

Hood

Hi Benny

Your suggested product really looks good but before you invest too much time and money into any venture you must be sure of your market. You could perhaps fill a football stadium with people and only find one person interested in CNC controllers whereas from the same crowd you may find many people interested in say children's toys for example.
All the best and good luck with any venture you choose.

Tweakie.

Should I design for a 21 inch wide screen monitor, since these seem to be the standard today?
Maybe a 19 inch traditional size since they are easier to get touch screens for?

Benny,
    A cut to fit replaceable panel would be best IMO.

Brett

Hey Benny,
I'm with you on the Universal design.
Would it contain everything ?  IE: mother board, HDD, CD, power supplies, bob, drivers, and such ?
The VFD could be mounted elsewhere I suppose. Or maybe on the back of the enclosure.
Also, if you could supply a graphic that is to scale with appx. dims.
For instance, in your first post, if that monitor is 17", the unit would be over 3' wide. Just estimating, please verify. (well maybe not 3' but 2' + )
Looking Good Benny. I'm very interested,
RC

Yup, the universal looks good.

Brett

The universal looks OK but you have to remember that the roof lights and windows in some shops will cause the LCD to be bleached out, I had to have shrouds made for some of the machines so we could see the screens.

They are better mounted at 95 degrees than at 70.

Graham.

Graham, did you get out a protractor on mine?
A shroud, brilliant suggestion. This is why I like getting others ideas.
Thanks

No protractor, its what us engineers call 'rack of the eye' or in Yorkshire 'rek u't e'

Graham.