Cygnus X1 by Attila Lukacs

Thinking about the top panel further, I realised there wasn't any likelihood of me bending the plates to match. A smooth, even curve without some mechanical assistance is difficult, so I browsed Ebay and bought a small slip roller to make the curves. The right tools certainly make the job easier and the outcome more precise.


Because of the change in plans early on, and for aesthetic reasons, the side panels pivot some distance from the rear extremity. This means that as they are opened, the back 30mm or so moves around the back and top. Consequently, a panel on top of the case would block this movement, so a method needed to be made to clear this area when the side panels need to be opened. The idea is to build a sliding/tilting plate carrier so the top can slide back and lift.


A piece of 20mm acrylic was cut and shaped to slide in a lower rail.


Then it was notched, each with slightly different angles, ready to receive the cover plates.



When the plates were mounted it just didn't look right, so I went and removed every second plate to space things out.