Backlit pane project started

[Guest]

Hello !About 3 weeks ago I started to build my fsbus panels.There were lots of problem with them. I etched my pcb by myself andI didn't have too many experiences.Anyway I just finished last week and I started to build a kind ofcockpit-like panel to put the switches on it. It was kind disappointing for first look but anyway, it was working ;)I have two pots on it and lots of on/off switch to control parking brake, light.As the time passed I started to thing about the good looking to construct apnel.It was a hard decision to find out what kint of plane it's gonna be.First choice was to build a smaller airplane like beech1900 or kind of. The other choice was a bigger plane like Boeings. My favorite is the B727 with analoge gauges.Unfortunately I don't have too big space to build a full simulator, maybe later on....So in between these the last choice was the b737.I decided to build parts of its panel.I went to the internet to find ways of how to. Of course my dream is to build backlit cokpit.After many hours of lookin up information I collected some details of building these.I've read the forum about it and I think lots of homebuild guy interested in these panels.I was looking for a kind of cheap way of making and I think I found it.The idea was to print your panelin two layers(or even more).The first layer(back) is a dark black where the light doesn't go through. I used 160g thick paper for this. If you draw lines or characters on it with white the light can pass through on it.For second layer you can use any kind of colour according to your favourite airplane and leave those lines and characters white or paint it with some extra colour like green. You can print the on thinner paper or print it on transparency (you can buy different for inkjet or laserprinterSo I just started today and I went to a photocopy company in my town - they have laser printer - and I gave them my predrawn file. I used coreldraw where I can draw everythin and can put them in the correct place.Put them all together and mount it on a plexysheet.Well, this was enough of speaking and here is a picture how it's looking: That's it for today - the rest is for tomorrow.

[Guest]

No luck with the picture there - keep trying....http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/37411.jpg

[Guest MikePowell]

Looks pretty nice. Please post another picture when you have assembled it. It would be nice to see how your backlighting works out.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

[Guest Ramsberg]

Hmm, looks pretty nice!But please explain further, how does the two layer paper work with backlighting? What kind of paper are you using? Black thick paper? Can you make light go through where you print or draw on it? How do you laserprint white?Take it once more for me please, id like to learn an easier way than Im trying with milling 2 layer plastic/ Olle

[Guest MikePowell]

Olle,I think he is using an approach similar to option 2, about 2/3 down the page: http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/center_pedestal_4.htm Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

[Guest Ramsberg]

Ahh, clever! Didnt think of that way.... will try it...Thanks/ Olle

[Guest]

Hello Everybody!Today I went again to the printing shop to develope furter my planFirst I asked to print my staff on transparency. When I saw it....Well, no satisfying. Ask to print it again on a normal paper: job done.Came home and try to combine the three layers:First layer(the bottom one): The black, 1st picMiddle layer: the color one, on the white paper Third layer (top): the color one on the transparencyhttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/37582.jpgHere we go: assembled panel(just the papers together):http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/37584.jpgI spent almost 3 hours to put them together :(, but finaly I could finish it. I didn't use glue I think it just leaves signs on the paperInstead I used sticky ....(I dont know the name of it, sorry for my english). If you see the pics closer you can see it on the sides and on the corners.I have to screw this papers to plexy, and then it's done. I think the screws can hold them together. If it doesn't I'm gonna try the glue.I uploaded the coreldraw files compressed, you will find 4 of them.There are 2 color ones, and 2 b&w.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/37585.zipIf you want to print the black&white you have to change the printer properties for printing in invert.Another idea: Maybe I will buy one more plexy layer, a very thin one and put it in front of all so the paper will sandwiched between the two plexy.I've tried to backlit them, for the first time I didn't like it. I used a 3 led bicycle lamp (cateye) to try it out. The light just went away (actually the two paper layer quite thick: remember I used 160g thick paper to the first layer and a normal photocopy paper for the second one). So I tried to put the light in a paper tube temporaly and light my panel up again. This was satisfying.When i'll construct the whole unit I 'll try to put some reflective material behind the leds. I think it will spread the light all over behind my panel. (this task coming later)I used red led for lights and I think the green or white ones cangive better results.I keep the informations updated, please wait 2-3 days for the backlit pictures.If somebody have better idea for light, please leave a note for me.

[Guest MikePowell]

Perhaps cold cathode fluorescent lamps would work as a backlighting source for you. They are used to backlight LCD panels, in case mods and other places. They turn up in surplus electronics stores periodically. For example www.allelectronics.com search on "CCFL".Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

[Guest dakenskys]

Hi there,As a suggestion for the glue between the layers, you may want to look in your local hardware store for a spray adhesive made by 3M called "Super 77". Use it very sparingly and have some newspaper or an old box to work in as the spray can get all over the place. This adhesive works very nicely, is quite strong and in thin layers goes down very transparent. Unlike other water type glues, this won't wrinkle the paper either.As to a top layer...if you use the Super 77, you won't need plexi on the top surface. That would only give a gloss finish and in thin gauges is rather brittle to work with.One tip in cutting the back plexi is to keep all square holes with a small radius at the corners. Even if only 1/32" radius, it will help to keep from splitting and fracturing the plexi.If you are buying the plexi from a plastic supplier, ask them about an HD version of the plexi....this is a high impact type and will hold up much better than the standard cast acrylic (Plexi). Actually the term Plexi is a trade name, and the HD high impact goes under the Acrylite trade name.Hope this helps...KenDakenSkys

[Guest jpcxcf]

Hi , have you tried to use self adhesive paper?I've got some from Epson and I think that it will save a lot in putting all together. You even don't have to put the 3rd layer, just the black and the paper on top.Regards,Pedro

[Guest]

Hi !Today I spent couple of hours again to mount some switch to my panel.After all the result is quite satisfying. I had no luck with the red led backlight so I tried it with my maglite torch.I had to light up my pictures this gives the real life like visual effect - I just couldn't do any better picture with my camera.I didn't use any glue on the board because I put the switches directly to the plexy. It holds everything together.As I used transparency on the top layer printed on the back the whole thing is shining and you cannot scratch down the ink.I think i'm gonna use some small power bulbs for backlight. It gives fantastic result and actually looks better than the red led.So here are couple pictures:This is how it looks:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/37738.jpgThis is the backlighted picture:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/37739.jpgI hope these pics are satisfying everybody.If you planning to make a panel using plexy handle it carefully.It breaks very easily - I used 2mm thick oneIt doesn't matter visually as far as you but it on the back but if you break it half it wont hold anything.My suggestion is put your first switch somewhere in the middle it will hold everything together and continue to build outward. it will give nearly flat panel - no bubbles anywhere.

[Guest MikePowell]

Looks like you're making some nice progress. Thanks for posting the pictures.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com