How to build inst panels?

[Desert Falcon]

Hi

I am just starting on this pit building thing, and still doing my researches and reading homework.

I have seen many guys using acrylic/plexiglas for their inst panels. My question is how to do the writing on those panels specially if you want to back light it later?

- Do you laser engrave it after you paint the board it in black?
- Do you print the face of the panel on some transparent material (i.e paper or foil) and then just stick it on the board? Would not that be so obvious and unreal-looking, you know it may got wrinkled or so?
- or is their something I am missing? :roll:

[Tomlin]

Most folks do what your first option is, in various different ways. However, I believe that Gwen (Westozy) has done your option two, and his sim looks great! Check out his posts and site and pics. It's definately more affordable than having them laser engraved, but then again, it's a much more complex process too and it does allow for backlighting.

[Michael Carter]

I've tried option two myself. But I went a step further and installed backlighting right into the panel itself. It works well, but the bulbs get warm enough to heat the adhesive and the paper starts buckling.

I might try printing on acetate next time. Then again, I might forget the whole thing and just buy the real panel. ;)

[Trevor Hale]

Hi,

I print using my Ink Jet Printer on HIGH QUALITY, with Shiny Photo Paper, then I spray Adhesive on the Plexi Glass and apply the paper to the back. After it dries, I drill the Plexi and install my switches. works really good. But it is important that you print Black background for the panels, to block the light.

Thats my cost effective method, and works quite well.

Trev

[Desert Falcon]

Most folks do what your first option is, in various different ways. However, I believe that Gwen (Westozy) has done your option two, and his sim looks great! Check out his posts and site and pics. It's definately more affordable than having them laser engraved, but then again, it's a much more complex process too and it does allow for backlighting.

Thank you Eric. So The engraving should be done after the painting? Any recommended paint type?




I've tried option two myself. But I went a step further and installed backlighting right into the panel itself. It works well, but the bulbs get warm enough to heat the adhesive and the paper starts buckling.

I might try printing on acetate next time. Then again, I might forget the whole thing and just buy the real panel. ;)

Thanx mate. I am thinking to have EL sheets for backlight. So how do you print the lines and texts?


Hi,

I print using my Ink Jet Printer on HIGH QUALITY, with Shiny Photo Paper, then I spray Adhesive on the Plexi Glass and apply the paper to the back. After it dries, I drill the Plexi and install my switches. works really good. But it is important that you print Black background for the panels, to block the light.

Thats my cost effective method, and works quite well.

Trev

Thanks alot Trev. Wouldn't the white of the photo paper itself block the light as well? I mean the original white color of the paper where the texts and lines will be

[Trevor Hale]

Nope, Everything that I have any other color on it (except black) lets the light through evenly. Have a look at my website or Photo gallery pictures, and you will see what I mean.

Trev

[Paul G]

Check out my gallery pics of instrument panels and annunciators for the inkjet method. I used two sheets of acetate stuck together with double sided tape. it also occured to me that you can then mask the area that has backlighting, crudely with masking tape, then spray the remainder with black paint. The only light that will be allowed through will be the backlit area plus a very small amount of leakage through the inked area on the acetate. I haven't tried this yet but I'm pretty sure it would work well.

HINT: if you spray the ink side of a printed acetate with clear lacquer, it appears to increase opacity as well as protecting the surface. I found I could use less layers using this method, than without, making it easier and lower cost.

[Prof Bill]

Hi All,
I discovered this product the other day when a student was using it to make dials etc for a car panel!

http://www.letraset.com/craft/shopcontent.asp?type=SafmatInfo

I t may be of some use in panel building!!!

Bill.

[Paul Thomas]

Thanks a lot Bill. This might be a great idea for making panels "the easy way". I think this is well worth trying.