Panel Building

[elekwind]

Guys I would really appreciate it if you could shed some light on homebuilt panels.My method I am planning on making my panels will be similar to the method this guy has used http://ourworld.cs.com/f16simulator/index.html.
Apparently the backlighting is quite good.
I would really like to know what you guys think of this I have seen it been used extensively by homecockpit builders, OR do you think I should just buy some milky white plexi,spray paint it (in my case Learjet 45 MIP color) and take it to a engraving shop.

Thanks guys for your comments !

[elekwind]

Sorry gentleman here is the direct
link http://ourworld.cs.com/f16simulator/building/panels/panels.html (http://ourworld.cs.com/f16simulator/building/panels/panels.html)

[Trevor Hale]

Hey Buddy,

Not to toot my own horn, but I think I pioneered this process years ago. All of my panels are made in this manor. I use a clear spray adhesive and attach the glossy photo paper directly to the Plexi, then drill my holes right through the paper.

You need to get the high quality photo paper otherwise the back lighting will bleed through the black parts of the panel.

It is a great process, and to tell you the truth if you were in my cockpit, I don't think you would notice a difference. The only issue (compromise you need to make) is that you can't have any other color of panel other then Black backgrounds. I print Blue, red, etc. for gear lights and stuff, but You can't have that Boeing Grey, unless your willing to put black underneath it.

Best regards,

Trev

[elekwind]

Trevor thanks

This information is very encouraging indeed.I wonder how I will get that Grey color that the Learjet MIP has.How effective is that method you (Trevor) mentioned in the previous post about first putting black underneath and then the color you want.How would you go about doing this?

Thanks, this is truly a great forum !
I will have some pics up soon !!!

[Trevor Hale]

Well, it is tricky, and I will explain briefly why.

You need to print the panel in Black/White, then in Grey/White. Next you need to attach the black behind the Grey.. So that the text, and lines all line up perfectly.. This is very hard indeed, especially with spray adhesive, then once you have the two stuck together then you need to use the adhesive to attach it to the plexi.

But with the small text any little variation will appear like the text is blurred. you will have to test it to see what I mean.

Does that make sense?


Trev

[elekwind]

Trevor thanks for that explanation.I understand completely.
I'm gonna have to give it a try although I wish I could just print 1 layer of grey (MIP Color) on the paper and then just stick it to the plexi but I guess that way would probably pass too much light through the grey color and would then defeat the purpose.I'm gonna try some experiments and will post my results.I assume that the engraving method would probably work best although it could be costly.

[Trevor Hale]

You got it 100% too much bleed through on the Grey color. As for the Engraving. If you can find someone to do it for you, it would be costly, but the biggest issue, is the small font of the text during engraving is tricky.

Let us know how it works out.

Trev

[elekwind]

Trevor I noticed my cars panels at night,it looks fantastic.I wonder what technique vehicle manufacturers use to light up the panels inside because it looks great !!!!.It seems to be normal plastic with printing on.

[Michael Carter]

I built one, and only one pael for my Boeing stall warning indicator.

I used two sheets of plexi-glass and a thin layer of styreen. I drew up the panel on the computer and printed three copies. I sandwiched those three together and applied it to the top piece.

The bottom (back) piece was routed for the 12VDC grain-of-wheat bulbs wired in parallel and sealed with caulk.

It works just like a commercial lightplate, but was a lot of work that I probaby won't do again.

[elekwind]

Thanks I am going to have a go at it.
I will see which method works best for me which would probably be a trial an error process.

Thanks for your input !

[Trevor Hale]

Trevor I noticed my cars panels at night,it looks fantastic.I wonder what technique vehicle manufacturers use to light up the panels inside because it looks great !!!!.It seems to be normal plastic with printing on.

Yes it is a special flexible plastic that they actually laminate (sandwich) a clear sheet between a white or black sheet and the black/white is cut out allowing the light through the numbers. it does look fantastic, but is very expensive :)