Need some help with indicators painting job

[JMorrison]

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So far my plan is to cut acrylic crystal rectangles (4mm thickness), then I would drill a hole in the back and put a led there.

The last step is what I'm triyng to figure out: A "mask" to make the led lights only the text and not the whole surface.

The only thing that comes to my mind right now is to cover the piece with black paint and then to engrave the text using a tool like this...

letras_molde.jpg


... removing the paint in the zones I want to let the light to pass through.
However I have serious doubts about the quality of the finished job while using this technique.

If you know an easier or more effective way please let me know.

[JMorrison]

Guys I'm really stucked here and thinking the method I mentioned above will not work.
Please I need some advices on how to deal with this.

[Joe Lavery]

The usual way is to paint the acrylic black and engrave the paint away with a CNC or a Laser. Unfortunately the method you suggest would not look very professional.
The only way to achieve a reasonable finish would be to print the legends on clear self adhesive film, (do a Google search for clear printable film). Stick that on top of your acrylic rectangles, paint the sides black and light it from behind with the appropriate colour. It would also be a good idea to spray a clear lacquer over the panels to stop the film lifting over time.

Hope that helps.
Joe

[jonesthesoftware]

a more expensive but very effective way is to get your local printer to to print the full set onto thick plastic film. Search the various cockpit websites and you can download a pdf which has the full set of legends which you can get printed, cut out and stick on
regards
geoff

[JMorrison]

The usual way is to paint the acrylic black and engrave the paint away with a CNC or a Laser. Unfortunately the method you suggest would not look very professional.
The only way to achieve a reasonable finish would be to print the legends on clear self adhesive film, (do a Google search for clear printable film). Stick that on top of your acrylic rectangles, paint the sides black and light it from behind with the appropriate colour. It would also be a good idea to spray a clear lacquer over the panels to stop the film lifting over time.

Hope that helps.
Joe

Thanks Joe, what CNC does mean?
Would a regular Inkjet printer work for this job?

a more expensive but very effective way is to get your local printer to to print the full set onto thick plastic film. Search the various cockpit websites and you can download a pdf which has the full set of legends which you can get printed, cut out and stick on
regards
geoff

Thank you Geoff, I did a lot of reasearch already and found nothing, that's why I posted here, but I will check again for that pdf you mentioned.

[Joe Lavery]

CNC means Computer Numerically Controlled, basically a computer driven router. In fact lots of machines these days can be computer controlled. A laser cutter is CNC controlled as well.

Yes, you can use an inkjet printer but you need the correct film for that, try a Google search for it. you may need to run it through the printer twice, or put two copies one on top of the other to stop light bleed through. It would take a some accuracy but can be done.

Joe.

[JMorrison]

Ok ty, I guess will be better to make it with professionals.
I just need to find a sheet with the labels.

[jonesthesoftware]

What aircraft are you making and what legends do you want? Annunciators or Korry switches or both?
I tried the inkjet printer and a laser printer but couldn't get opacity and also got lines where the printer advances the paper.

regards
geoff

[Joe Lavery]

I agree with Geoff on this, it can be done but it's not very effective. If you can afford it getting them printed professionally is by far thee better solution.

I have a Corel Draw file with all the annunciators for the 737 overhead if that's what you need.

Joe

[JMorrison]

What aircraft are you making and what legends do you want? Annunciators or Korry switches or both?

B738, and I need all them.

I have a Corel Draw file with all the annunciators for the 737 overhead if that's what you need.

I'll be grateful if you can share it.