[simpits-tech] RE: making your own PANELS

[Guy Lopes]

Hi all. Happy new year!

This has been an area of interest of mine for a while now. I have run
into all of the obstacles that have been mentioned. I was talking to an
engraver about this whole process the other day. He asked if I had
considered silk-screening as a method of making the panels. I've done
some checking and it looks like it might be feasible.

My plan is to use a white lexan or Plexiglas material 1/4" thick. I
would design the panel with a CAD (or graphics) program. Essentially
lining up all of the required switch holes and other cutouts with the
appropriate text or graphics on two different layers. I would print out
a machining template from these files to machine the plastic, then a
text/graphic template to send to the silk screener. With proper
registration, they should line up perfectly. 

It's my understanding that different colors could be used. Though I
believe that separate silk-screens are used for this purpose. 

After silk-screening the panel a black or gray color, the text will be
left in the original white color next to the appropriate switch or
control. There is a possibility that the white may not be "white" enough
for daylight ops. Tests will show whether this is true or not. Also,
only the flat surface face of the panel will be painted. This will
dictate hand-painting the beveled edge and sides as well as the back (to
contain the light).

I plan to drill/ machine appropriately sized holes in the back to
accommodate white, blue, yellow or green LEDs of varying brightness.
I'll use a clear silicone to affix them to the panel, then paint black
over the back of them. My test panel may be rather large to allow
several types of LEDs and lettering/ font combinations.

I'm in the process of trying this all out now. If you have any
suggestions or anything else that might help my experiment, please don't
hesitate to speak up.

Best regards,

Guy Lopes
guylopes at citlink.net
Sacramento, CA