[simpits-tech] site update

[Chris Brace]

Sticking the artwork is actually really very tricky and long process.
For the first panel I used clear overhead film that I printed the artwork onto 
and then painted the back white so that it would back light. I then used a 3M 
spray on glue called "Super77". It reacted with the white enamel paint and 
blistered it all off. I changed to paper for this one, and 3M photomount. The 
glue is permanent, once its stuck there is no going back. Its all worked out 
fine so far. Last thing to do will be to cover the display windows and spray 
the whole thing with matt varnish to protect it.

The process to get panels like this is very long. Here a rundown of what I 
went thru for anyone else that wants to use this method.

Firstly there are a bunch of holes that need to be drilled before you apply 
the artwork to the panel. These are for the LED displays to be mounted on 
posts, and things like LED holes to light up specific words etc. The LED 
Displays are monuted with 9mm posts which are attached with countersunk 
machine screws from the panel front. I didnt want these to show so they have 
to go thru before the artwork is laid down.
 So, I first stick a drilling diagram onto the perspex sheet and drill thru 
it, then peel this off, put the screws and post in place. Then slowly and very 
carefully align the final artwork. Once perfect alignment is acheived I tape 
down one edge of the artwork to hold it, and fold it back revealing the back 
of the paper. Then I mask everything except the artwork paper (now only the 
back of the paper is visible) and spray the glue onto it. Wait 2 minutes and 
spray another coat of glue on the artwork, wait another 3 minutes and then 
carefully fold the artwork back onto the perspex.
When the glue is firm and dry I can start drilling the final holes for all the 
encoders and switches. Because its paper even the sharpest drills will burr 
the paper so after all the drilling is done I de-burr the holes with a 
surgical scalpel. 
Finally I cut the perspex panel to final shape with a power jigsaw, sand down 
the edges to final shape and mount all the components.

This panel took me about 5 hours work to get to this stage. Now that ive done 
it the rest should be alot simpler.
As I do the next lot, I'll take some pics of each part to show how i did it in 
greater details. The results are really excellent.


> That looks really good Chris!
> 
> Are you applying that 3M PhotoMount glue to a painted surface?
> 
> g.
> 
> 
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Chris Brace
V(H) +64 4 973-6378
V(W) +64 4 474-4222
M +64 21 223-5163
E chris.brace@paradise.net.nz