Tiptop Audio 3 Tier Mantis Studio Brackets Instruction Manual

Tiptop Audio 3 Tier Mantis Studio Brackets

Product Information

The Mantis Bracket is a component designed by Tiptop Audio for assembling eurorack modules. It is used to securely mount and align the Z-Rails of the Mantis case. The kit includes two brackets, left and right, adhesive foam strips, Phillips pan head machine screws, nylon washers, an Allen Wrench (3mm), and Velcro straps.

Product Usage Instructions

1. Before starting the assembly process, gather a Phillips head screwdriver and ensure you have twelve eurorack modules available to help align the Z-Rails (although this is not mandatory).
2. Step 1 : Gently pull off the white back paper from the two black foam strips to expose the adhesive. Carefully align and apply one end of the strip to a bracket leg, then slowly press down the strip to the other end. Ensure correct alignment as the adhesive is not repositionable.
3. Step 2 : Do not install the brackets with the system full of modules. If you have eight eurorack modules, mount them to all eight corners as shown in the provided image. If you don’t have any modules, skip to the next step.
4. Step 3: Place the two Mantis cases on a flat surface sideways, making sure the bottom of the upper Mantis touches the upper side of the lower Mantis. Using the provided Allen Wrench, unscrew the seven screws shown in the photo (counterclockwise). Avoid vibrating the Mantis to prevent Z-Rails misalignment. If a Z-Rail moves, push it back into position by looking through the screw hole.
5. Step 4 : Start with the right bracket and locate it accordingly.
6. Step 5: Attach the second bracket by carefully flipping the assembly upside down. Keep the two Mantis cases tightly together to avoid stress on the bracket and its joints. Both Mantis cases should remain at a 90-degree angle with the bracket. Lift, rotate, and put the assembly back on the table.
7. Step 6: Unscrew the seven screws (counterclockwise) using the provided Allen Wrench. Avoid vibrating the Mantis to prevent Z-Rails misalignment. If a Z-Rail moves, push it back into position by looking through its screw hole.
8. Step 7 : Repeat Step 4 and Step 5, but this time with the left mantis bracket.
9. Step 8: Unscrew the three screws from the upper Mantis (counterclockwise) using the provided Allen Wrench. Avoid vibrating the mantis to prevent Z-Rails misalignment. If a Z-Rail moves, push it back into position by looking through its screw hole.
10. Step 9: Rotate the assembly 180 degrees. Unscrew the three screws from the left side of the upper Mantis (turning counterclockwise) using the provided Allen Wrench. Avoid vibrating the Mantis to prevent Z-Rails misalignment. If a Z-Rail moves, push it back into position by looking through its screw hole.
11. Step 10 : Angle in the upper Mantis and insert it onto the bottom screws. Straighten the case and insert a sheet of paper to prevent the top bracket screws from scratching the case. Remove the paper and tighten them slightly. Complete tightening at the end.

TIPTOP AUDIO MANTIS BRACKET
The 3-Tier Mantis Studio Brackets pair lets you connect three Mantis in a robust and elegant solution. This setup is fixed and is recommended mainly for studio use. The brackets are cut precisely by laser from sturdy metal and then coated twice for a nice smooth finish that matches the Mantis light grey colour. They come with twenty screws and special washers that help hold the screw in place during assembly and keep a tiny gap between the brackets and the Mantis. Installation is fairly simple and takes about 30 minutes to complete.

Before we begin:
Please get a Phillips head screwdriver. It is also recommended to have twelve eurorack modules available to help align the Z-Rails but this is not mandatory.

The kit contains

• 2 x Brackets, left and right
• 2 x Adhesive foam strips
• 20 x Phillips pan head machine screws
• 20 x Nylon washers
• 1 x Allen Wrench 3mm
• 2 x Velcro Straps

IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE

Tiptop Audio has conducted testing to determine the safest and most effective methods to install the Mantis brackets. Please read these instructions fully before beginning the assembly process. Failure to follow these instructions closely could result in damage, not limited to, the brackets, Mantis cases, Eurorack modules and furniture surfaces. A second person might be needed to lift or move the Mantis cases into position. When moving the 3-tier Mantis assembly around, do not hold it from the upper Mantis.

If you have any questions or need clarification on the assembly, please contact Tiptop Audio before starting the assembly process!

INSTALLATION

• Step 1:
  Locate the two black foam strips, gently pull on the white back paper to expose the adhesive, carefully align the strip to the bracket leg and apply. This stuff is sticky and can not be reapplied so make sure you get it right the first time. We recommend sticking one end of the strip first and then slowly pressing down the strip to the other end.

• Step 2:
  Never install the brackets with the system full of modules. If you have eight eurorack mo-dules please mount them to all eight corners as shown in below image. It is OK if you don’t have any modules, just skip to the next step.

• Step 3:
  Set the two Mantis on a flat surface sideways as you see in the picture. Make the bottom of the upper mantis touch the upper side of the lower Mantis. Using the provided Allen Wrench unscrew the 7 screws shown in the photo, counterclockwise. Try not to vibrate the Mantis so the Z-Rails don’t get out of alignment. If one of the Z-Rails does move, push it back to position by looking through the screw hole.

• Step 4:
  We are starting with the right bracket, and locating the right bracket.

• Step 5:
  Bring the bracket close to the two Mantis, slowly move the Mantis until the bracket screws align with the Mantis screw holes and attach the bracket. Using the Philips screwdriver, slowly start screwing them in, one by one with just a few turns. If one of them feels too stiff it might not be aligned with the rail, try to unscrew it and check the alignment. Do not screw in if it feels hard to turn as it might damage the thread on the Z-Rail.

  • After all, screws are in, tighten them just a bit. We will tighten them completely at the end.

• Step 6:
  This step requires careful attention. You are about to flip the assembly upside down to attach the second bracket. It is important that when you do that you keep the two Mantis tight together so there is no stress put on the bracket and its joints. Both Mantis need to stay at 90 degrees with the bracket. Hold on the edge of both cases, lift up, rotate and put back on the table.

• Step 7:
  Once again, using the provided Allen Wrench unscrew the 7 screws, counterclockwise. Try not to vibrate the Mantis so the Z-Rails don’t get out of alignment. If one of the Z-Rails does move, push it back to position by looking through its screw hole.

• Step 8:
  Repeat the same process as in Step 4 and Step 5, but this time with the left mantis bracket.

• Step 9:
  Using the provided Allen Wrench unscrew the 3 screws from the upper Mantis, counterclockwise. Try not to vibrate the Mantis so the Z-Rails don’t get out of alignment. If one of the Z-Rails does move, push it back to position by looking through its screw hole.

• Step 10:
  Rotate 180 degrees. Using the provided Allen Wrench unscrew the 3 screws from left side of upper Mantis, turning counterclockwise. Try not to vibrate the Mantis so the Z-Rails don’t get out of alignment. If one of the Z-Rails does move, push it back to posi-tion by looking through its screw hole.

• Step 11:
  Angle in upper Mantis and insert onto bottom screws. Straighten the case, inserting a sheet of paper to prevent the top bracket screws from scratching the case. Remove the paper and tighten it just a bit. We will tighten them completely at the end.

  • Position the 3 washers at the end of the screws as shown to prevent the top bracket screws from scratching the case.

• Step 12:
  This step requires careful attention. You are about to flip the assembly to attach the final 3 screws of the upper Mantis. It is important to keep the middle and upper Mantis’ tight together so there is no stress put on the bracket and its joints. The upper Mantis needs to stay at 90 degrees with the bracket. Hold onto the edge of where the middle and upper Mantis meet. Do not lift the assembly from the surface, but rather use the surface as a point of rotation. Tighten 3 screws just a bit.

• Step 13 :
  Rotate the assembly 90 degrees, the three Mantis should now be securely connected.

  • Now tighten all 20 screws firmly but do not apply excessive force.

• Step 14:
  Place two velcro straps around the middle leg of the upper Mantis. Secure the power supply using cinch straps.

• Step 15:
  Connecting to power: The three Mantis will still be powered independently, each with its own power adapter and switch. The middle and upper Mantis will use the bottom power sockets (see below) and the lower Mantis will use the side power socket next to the power switch. To turn power on/off flip the power switch on all three Mantis.

• Step 16:
  Now it is time to fill the cases up with modules!

www.tiptopaudio.com/mantis

References

• Mantis - Tiptop Audio

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