This was an idea used by the early Serge panels. All they did was to
make panels that had same sized holes placed in a even spaced matrix.
The front panel sticker/graphics defined the module. The Mattson Mini
Modular uses this tech. All the panels are pre-punched and the front
graphics sheet covers the unused holes. This of course works well in
his square modular design and would not function well for the Doepfer
design. One way to make it work on the Doepfer is when designing the
new module, compare its I/O with existing modules and seeing weather
component placement can work with an existing panel design (I'm sure
this is already happening). Unfortunately both the A-167 and A172
have pretty unique panel designs.

-James

On Nov 3, 2008, at 6:07 AM, Mikhail Novikov wrote:

> Hello!
>
> As I understood from your previous messages the most expensive part
> of the
> module is front panel silk screening. Maybe some "unpopular"
> modules can
> be released with cheaper front panels, to cut the costs
>
> Best regards, Mikhail
>
> On Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:54:51 +0200, < yahoo@... > wrote:
>
>>> Oh and Dieter, could you please warn me on time if you are
>>> planning to
>>> discontinue those modules I will need to order a few then..
>>
>> In principle all discontinuations are announced long time ago on our
>> website. Usually it takes 6 months or more after such an announcement
>> until
>> the module is actually no longer available. Currently we are in
>> negotiations
>> with the manufacturer to find out if its possible to produce smaller
>> quantities for some poor sellers and how much it affects the price.
>> Probably
>> the front panels will be a bit more expensive because the initial
>> silk
>> screen charges are independent from the quantity and have to be
>> divided
>> by
>> the number or panels of the corresponding production series.
>>
>> Best wishes
>> Dieter Doepfer
>>
>
>
>
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