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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Front panel designer
| Author | Message | ||||
Marcel27 Newbie  Joined: 13/08/2024 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 33 |
I came along this Front panel designer . I saw it in an Elektor from 05-2011 and the company still exists. I have no experience with this software but I have the intention to design a new front for my very old Monarch SA-616 amplifier (Germanium type transistor).  If you use AI, you lose your mind. |
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Mixtel90 Guru  Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6575 |
Of particular interest if you are in Germany, Canada or the USofA. It might get expensive if you get them to make a panel. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 755 |
Oh, perfect. Many thanks for this  |
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| Marcel27 Newbie Joined: 13/08/2024 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 33 |
Yes, what I've seen from (dummy) prices they are not cheap but if you have a nice device and you want it to have a nice look again maybe it is worth it. If you use AI, you lose your mind. |
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| oh3gdo Regular Member  Joined: 18/11/2021 Location: FinlandPosts: 47 |
Well, nice work. I have thinked to make a PCB front panel. It costs only few euros and I got 5 pcs from https://jlcpcb.com/ I have already made my PCB. Before it was metal front page and it was one day work to make LCD panel windows I need also some potentriomerts and switches. I still use a metal case https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006053442585.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.21.19f669Vs69VsK4&algo_pvid=5446319d-1c86-43d9-9cc1-355bc8013f53&algo_exp_id=5446319d-1c86-43d9-9cc1-355bc8013f53-10&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%2113.11%2113.11%21%21%2198.93%2198.93%21%40211b819117293322713948517eadbd%2112000035512499515%21sea%21FI%21136402714%21X&curPageLogUid=tGpVPInlISBc&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A It is a inclinometer. Pekka Ritamaki |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6575 |
I've made front panels out of all sorts in the past. Plastic or aluminium sheet have been the best or (just about any) PCB material. You can finish them by printing the design onto A4 sticky label and putting that onto the material, covering it with clear plastic film to protect it. My latest panels have been made as PCBs, but you are restricted in size and they aren't all that cheap really. They do look good though. PCB material for a front is interesting as you can connect things like panel-mounted pots via tracks to a connector at one place. It's also good for RF stuff as it creates a screen between your hand and RF components behind it. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| Marcel27 Newbie Joined: 13/08/2024 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 33 |
This is the old front front panel.  If you use AI, you lose your mind. |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6575 |
You can get printable vinyl film in various colours. Using that you could transfer the text onto it (that's a struggle in its own right!) and just "paper over it". Probably only in A4 though... On ebay Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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Martin H. Guru Joined: 04/06/2022 Location: GermanyPosts: 1095 |
Has anyone ever tried printing the lettering mirror-inverted with a laser printer and then ironing it on? 'no comment |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4129 |
Yes, but no success. It is not overly resistant. And when you coat it with spray paint it fades. Maybe I did not use the good temperature, or paint. But it is not always working. Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4129 |
double Edited 2024-10-19 23:48 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 4129 |
Marcel27, Seen this ? SA-616 - two models Thank you for the link of the front panel designer... It runs flawless on my Ubuntu machine. And you can print 1:1, so also usable for hobby. Volhout Edited 2024-10-20 00:10 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| Andy-g0poy Regular Member Joined: 07/03/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 45 |
The designer tool seems fairly useful so thanks. My normal method for home brew panels is to use normal printed images, and then laminate them I then glue the laminated sheet onto the panel after cutting out the holes required. A cheap set of hollow punches does the usual holes for pots and connectors and a scalpel for the larger holes. These is a danger of moisture getting between the laminate layers if you cut off the edge seal, which usually happens, but for internal use it's perfectly OK. If you print on a mylar sheet or OHP sheet then that is pretty much proof against moisture. Works well enough for my needs and looks OK. The image is of a little ESR meter I built a couple of years ago. The box was a little small as usual :-) Andy  |
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phil99 Guru Joined: 11/02/2018 Location: AustraliaPosts: 2055 |
Have also done this with good results. A solution is, before laminating cut the paper a little undersize and make the holes a little oversize. When the laminate is cut to size and holes punched you have an edge seal all round. |
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| PhenixRising Guru Joined: 07/11/2023 Location: United KingdomPosts: 755 |
Just over 52 Euros (excl postage). Very reasonable  |
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