HiI've decided to build my custom panel, the project started by designing the entire panel (By using CorelDraw application) and then I find somewhere to do laser cutting (on white Plexiglas) for me.Now I don

I haven't seen much about laser printing for DIY panels as it is very expensive, but I have seen home CNC machines or professionally built CNC machines. I plan on building mine using a dremmel with a stiffening component added to the shaft to reduce wiggle making the cuts more precise.The CNC machine uses something called G-Code to operate. Most CAD programs will output to DXF format and there are many DXF-GCode converters out there. Then you have to have a program that talks to the CNC machine. Some you buy, some you don't. The ones you buy are outrageously expensive and the ones you don't you have to fidget with, but once you get them, you are set for life.I'm still researching the CNC cutting process, but CNCZone.com has been a real help in figuring this stuff out. As well as the typical google for "DIY CNC" or "DIY CNC Software" or "CNC CAD".The panels you can cut via the CNC router as the CAD files you create would have the outlines of the parts. The depth of the line would tell the drill how deep to get into the material (if the line is the depth of the mateial, it will cut completely through). The engraving is accomplished by having the drill just barely touch the surface and scratch away the paint you've pre-applied to the plexiglass. Downfalls to plexiglass is it either chips or melts when cutting, so make sure you research best materials for the job. I've already tried on some Lexan from Lowes and it works great with a HIGH-SPEED drill..slower ones will melt, but the dremmel is a very nice high-speed drill, the Roto-Zip I hear is about the same as the Dremmel, just a diff company who takes your money. I've seen more add-on accessories in various places like Wal*Mart and an entire section at Lowes just for Dremmel tips for MANY different jobs and only a faint selection for Roto-Zip.Hope this helps somewhat.

KPThere is some perhaps useful background info here http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/center_pedestal_4.htmAlso, you might take a look through some of the postings on Viperpit.org/forum A few of the people there have put considerable effort in developing techniques for making lightplate style panels.Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com