Apologies if this topic has been covered before, but I'm making more and more portable handheld units (RF, programmers, test gear) using hammond enclosures and they really need some form of overlay with text/graphics and perhaps instructions. Whilst it doesn't have to be 'like silkscreen' it would be nice to give it a professional, rugged touch.
So rather than just stright to getting custom panels made up, I thought I would experiment with some DIY solutions, and came here to ask what others do. So far I have a few idea's:
1. Print design on printer paper (inkjet or laser), mount with 3M photo mount, cover with sticky back plastic, or thin (0.5mm) clear polycarbonate which is glue AND screwed into the case.
2. Print the design on printer paper (inkjet, or laser), laminate with standard laminating pounches, and glue onto front.
3. same as above two, but just spray with acrylic clearcoat.
4. Print in reverse of OHP film (I have both films for laser, and inkjet) then glue print-side-down. For black enclosures, I would need to put white paper under this, or perhaps use white spraypaint first.
The problems I can forsee are:
- Overlay eventually peeling off.
- Black not being 'true black', and inability to print white - means I would have to use a white paper backing.
- If the top fim (plastic, vinyl, OHP, laminating pouch) is too shiny, might not give a good anti-glare finish
- It'll look poo.
There is also the problem of LCD's. If I cut out a large (60x40mm) square from the front panel, assuming the display is flush against the sirface of the panel, I would need a semi-rigid plastic over this to protect it - and that would require a nice jet-black border around it, so only the 'display area' of the LCD is visible. I fear that even the toner from my laser printer won't be black enough, and inkjet rarely is. This leaves psray paint.
Any idea for semi-professional projects? For my own I just print something off and glue it on, then use sticky-backed-plastic. I'm not talking large panels here, most are roughly 110mm x 60mm, but given the accuracy/detail of inkjets, seems like I could make some pretty nice overlays. The only trouble being finding an adhesive which doesn't smudge the ink, and a way to cover it so it lasts (clear plastic, or clear-coat acrylic).
Cheers!
So rather than just stright to getting custom panels made up, I thought I would experiment with some DIY solutions, and came here to ask what others do. So far I have a few idea's:
1. Print design on printer paper (inkjet or laser), mount with 3M photo mount, cover with sticky back plastic, or thin (0.5mm) clear polycarbonate which is glue AND screwed into the case.
2. Print the design on printer paper (inkjet, or laser), laminate with standard laminating pounches, and glue onto front.
3. same as above two, but just spray with acrylic clearcoat.
4. Print in reverse of OHP film (I have both films for laser, and inkjet) then glue print-side-down. For black enclosures, I would need to put white paper under this, or perhaps use white spraypaint first.
The problems I can forsee are:
- Overlay eventually peeling off.
- Black not being 'true black', and inability to print white - means I would have to use a white paper backing.
- If the top fim (plastic, vinyl, OHP, laminating pouch) is too shiny, might not give a good anti-glare finish
- It'll look poo.
There is also the problem of LCD's. If I cut out a large (60x40mm) square from the front panel, assuming the display is flush against the sirface of the panel, I would need a semi-rigid plastic over this to protect it - and that would require a nice jet-black border around it, so only the 'display area' of the LCD is visible. I fear that even the toner from my laser printer won't be black enough, and inkjet rarely is. This leaves psray paint.
Any idea for semi-professional projects? For my own I just print something off and glue it on, then use sticky-backed-plastic. I'm not talking large panels here, most are roughly 110mm x 60mm, but given the accuracy/detail of inkjets, seems like I could make some pretty nice overlays. The only trouble being finding an adhesive which doesn't smudge the ink, and a way to cover it so it lasts (clear plastic, or clear-coat acrylic).
Cheers!
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