Friday, August 31, 2012

Modular Gaming Table: Part 14

In my previous post, I've promised to demonstrate the table in all it's glory. While planning the various setups, I realised I was missing something.

When using the table for the purpose of photography, one needs a suitable backdrop to make a pleasing photograph. As the co-author of two remote gaming battle reports, I experimented with various methods. For the battle reports "It's fun to slay at the Wyemm Seeyay" and "The Shadow of Koles Lorr", I simply printed one out and glued it on a piece of cardboard. The cardbaord had a little footstand attached to it, allowing me to put it anywhere on the table wherever I needed it. Although it served its purpose, this method has shortcomings, for example: the limited size only allows close-up shots, corner shots are not possible and it lacks a tight fit, creating a space between the ground surface and the bottom of cardboard.

To make the table as complete as possible, I improved the above method somewhat by creating two backdrop panels. These panels use the same attachment principle as the borders, allowing me to attach them at the sides of a panel.


The plan
The panels are made out of Dibond. Dibond is a composite consisting of two sheets of .010" aluminum with a polyethylene core. It is intended for such applications as signage, exhibit/display as well as digital mounting. Available in 1/8" thickness. Lighter than than Aluminum and Plexiglas but also very durable and flexible.


3mm Dibond 
I bought a panoramic photograph on dreamstime, and plotted the photograph on the Dibond panels with a FUJIFILM Acuity Printer. I've got access to such a device at my work, but there are enough companies out there who offer this as a service. It costs around 60+ euro to print 120x30 cm.


The printer
The cutting of the placeholders for the male "Kugelschnaeppers" are done with a milling machine. Again, they have one of them at my work. I've made a video of this, because I think this is the kind of machine every wargamer would like to have in his man cave. Just listen to the sound of this thing:



The "Kugelschnaeppers" are glued in place with Epoxy. This seales the cut-outs and makes a solid connection.

After printing and cutting
Male "Kugelschnaepper" glued in place with Epoxy
Perfect fit
Corner setup
The concept seems to work, but while working on this, some other ideas on how to improve it formed in my mind. Also, I'm not completely sure about the scale of the backdrop, maybe I'll be creating some new panels in the future.

For now, these are the backdrop panels I'm going to use to make a proper demonstration of the table. To be continued...

7 comments:

  1. Puts my rickety wooden dowel efforts to shame! Might need to do something similar at some point...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well you did inspire me with rickety wooden dowel efferts ;)

      Delete
  2. Oh, to have access to such tools and materials! Great backdrop

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well done. I think an implementation exactly like that is above my pay grade, but it does give me ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow...that is cool. I better put the panoramic printer on my Christmas list.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What an amazing build. This is my dream board. Simple yet SO effective and so well executed. Bravo Sir - well done!!

    Frank
    http://adventuresinlead.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  6. I dunno D. I'm worried that if this sort of thing continues, you're going to find a way to use explosives in the construction of your table.

    For your safety, I think you should be sticking to wood glue and MDF, like everyone else.

    Still, it goes to show what good design will get you! Well done, sir. Well done indeed. Field trip to Holland is definitely in order...

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.