For those who build equipment in small batches...what system do you use for
front panel signwriting ? I need something better than "letter by letter"
press-on dry transfer systems.

Is there a system where you can print direct from PC onto some sort of
special sheet and then transfer results to a front panel ?

Thanks.

"TonyL" wrote in message
...
For those who build equipment in small batches...what system do you use
for front panel signwriting ? I need something better than "letter by
letter" press-on dry transfer systems.

Is there a system where you can print direct from PC onto some sort of
special sheet and then transfer results to a front panel ?


I prefer laser marking. It looks better than silk screen.
You need an accurate drawing which can then be converted
to a vector-format file. It's worthwhile for a batch of say 10 pcs.

Iain

Iain Churches wrote:
"TonyL" wrote in message
...
For those who build equipment in small batches...what system do you
use for front panel signwriting ? I need something better than
"letter by letter" press-on dry transfer systems.

Is there a system where you can print direct from PC onto some sort
of special sheet and then transfer results to a front panel ?


I prefer laser marking. It looks better than silk screen.
You need an accurate drawing which can then be converted
to a vector-format file. It's worthwhile for a batch of say 10 pcs.


Thanks Iain, I was hoping for an in-house system. I'm after neat
functional-looking consistent results. Nothing flashy. Single colour text
only would be fine.

In article ,
TonyL wrote:
For those who build equipment in small batches...what system do you use
for front panel signwriting ? I need something better than "letter by
letter" press-on dry transfer systems.

Is there a system where you can print direct from PC onto some sort of
special sheet and then transfer results to a front panel ?

I use the RS system. If you already have a front panel you can glue on the
thinner aluminium - or make a complete new one using the thicker.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...chTerm=568-073

Only snag might be the restricted colour range compared to other methods.

Here's a not too brilliant pic of one panel using this system.

http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q...kies/Stat3.jpg

--
*OK, so what's the speed of dark? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
TonyL wrote:
For those who build equipment in small batches...what system do you
use for front panel signwriting ? I need something better than
"letter by letter" press-on dry transfer systems.

Is there a system where you can print direct from PC onto some sort
of special sheet and then transfer results to a front panel ?

I use the RS system. If you already have a front panel you can glue
on the thinner aluminium - or make a complete new one using the
thicker.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...chTerm=568-073

Only snag might be the restricted colour range compared to other
methods.


I just need text onto brushed aluminium and colour is not a problem. However
the price is a bit off-putting. Also, my enclosures already have front
panels so I would prefer to use them rather than replace or add a second
layer. The application process looks rather complex as well...especially the
40 minutes in boiling water part !

Here's a not too brilliant pic of one panel using this system.

http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q...kies/Stat3.jpg


I think it is brilliant !

Has anybody tried this system ?
http://www.megauk.com/quickmark.php

The procedure shown uses UV exposure with an artwork master, then peeling
apart of positive/negative sheets followed by transfer of either sheet to a
"base sheet" that can be transparent and has adhesive on both sides. The
resulting lamination with emulsion between two sheets is then trimmed and
used as a label.

In article ,
TonyL wrote:
I use the RS system. If you already have a front panel you can glue
on the thinner aluminium - or make a complete new one using the
thicker.

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...chTerm=568-073

Only snag might be the restricted colour range compared to other
methods.


I just need text onto brushed aluminium and colour is not a problem.
However the price is a bit off-putting.

It isn't cheap - but is favourable to other one off methods giving
anywhere near the same quality result.

Also, my enclosures already have
front panels so I would prefer to use them rather than replace or add a
second layer.

The thinner ally sheet is little thicker than card. So is very easy to
trim.

The application process looks rather complex as
well...especially the 40 minutes in boiling water part !

You just use a baking dish on the hob. The process is actually quite easy
- once you've got on top of it. You can also have different colours on the
one panel with a bit of care.

Here's a not too brilliant pic of one panel using this system.

http://s139.photobucket.com/albums/q...kies/Stat3.jpg


I think it is brilliant !

It looks as good as the artwork you create. Certainly as sharp as a high
quality printer on good paper.

Has anybody tried this system ? http://www.megauk.com/quickmark.php

The procedure shown uses UV exposure with an artwork master, then
peeling apart of positive/negative sheets followed by transfer of either
sheet to a "base sheet" that can be transparent and has adhesive on both
sides. The resulting lamination with emulsion between two sheets is then
trimmed and used as a label.

Looks interesting - but I'd guess it will still look like an applied label.

--
*If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

"TonyL" wrote in message
...
For those who build equipment in small batches...what system do you use
for front panel signwriting ? I need something better than "letter by
letter" press-on dry transfer systems.

Is there a system where you can print direct from PC onto some sort of
special sheet and then transfer results to a front panel ?

Thanks.

letraset do a film-based system called SafMat. You print onto the
transparent film from an inkjet printer, peel off the self-adhesive film and
apply to the ali. You have to be a bit careful in handling and I would
suggest a few coats of varnish. Costs about £20 to 25 or so.

More info at here
http://www.letraset.com/design/shopd...at=Inkjet+Film

fredbloggstwo wrote:

letraset do a film-based system called SafMat. You print onto the
transparent film from an inkjet printer, peel off the self-adhesive
film and apply to the ali. You have to be a bit careful in handling
and I would suggest a few coats of varnish. Costs about £20 to 25 or
so.
More info at here
http://www.letraset.com/design/shopd...at=Inkjet+Film

Looks interesting, thanks. The system Dave uses looks fantastic but I just
don't need something as luxurious (and expensive) as that on these units I'm
assembling.

TonyL wrote:

Looks interesting, thanks. The system Dave uses looks fantastic but I just
don't need something as luxurious (and expensive) as that on these units I'm
assembling.

What's wrong with good old emboss, peel and stick dymo tape?

Or secondly, and cheap,

Use glossy photographic printer paper in a good inkjet, print your
design out and either laminate it - or sandwich on top of it some thin
transparent film, say the thickish plastic front cover from document
strip binding supplies if edges from both are able to slot into a
cabinet recess somewhere to stop from floating apart.

--
Adrian C

Adrian C wrote:
TonyL wrote:

Looks interesting, thanks. The system Dave uses looks fantastic but
I just don't need something as luxurious (and expensive) as that on
these units I'm assembling.

What's wrong with good old emboss, peel and stick dymo tape?


Nothing at all. It all depends on purpose/context. Dave's solution is too
up-market for my particular need while dymo tape is too far the other way
IMO. But all these systems have their place.

Or secondly, and cheap,

Use glossy photographic printer paper in a good inkjet, print your
design out and either laminate it - or sandwich on top of it some thin
transparent film, say the thickish plastic front cover from document
strip binding supplies if edges from both are able to slot into a
cabinet recess somewhere to stop from floating apart.


The Letroset solution seems about right for this project. They may look like
stuck on labels but should be neat and functional. I've ordered some
samples.