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OA47

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Joined: 11/04/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 926

Posted: 06:26pm 06 Feb 2013

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I wish to put one of my maximite projects into a rack mount enclosure and need power switch, 4X4 keypad and 16X4 lcd. Has anyone any ideas of mounting the keypad and LCD in a metal panel to give a professional look?

bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2914

Posted: 07:50pm 06 Feb 2013

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Graeme Meager said Has anyone any ideas of mounting the keypad and LCD in a metal panel to give a professional look?

You might like to try a membrane keypad like this DX.com unit.

If the keys dont read what you want you might be able to print a new face, plasticise it and glue it over the top..

The LCD is another matter, lets see if others have any options.

Regards,

Mick

Edited by bigmik 2013-02-08

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

OA47

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Posted: 07:55pm 06 Feb 2013

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Thanks Mick,

I have looked at those membrane keypads on the web and agree that they may only need a slot for the ribbon to pass through the panel. I wasn't sure if they had a self adhesive back on them.

djuqa

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Joined: 23/11/2011
Location: Australia
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Posted: 08:05pm 06 Feb 2013

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Most (all?) 8x2 / 16x2 / 20x4 LCD modules have 4 mounting holes and a sheet metal bezel.
So with a few spacers and a rectangular hole they should mount neatly.

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bigmik

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Posted: 08:14pm 06 Feb 2013

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Graeme Meager said I wasn't sure if they had a self adhesive back on them.

They do but one comment said it wasnt very good, but I am sure quick-grip would hold it fast onto a metal face.

Regards,

Mick

Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<

MicroBlocks

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Joined: 12/05/2012
Location: Thailand
Posts: 2209

Posted: 09:01pm 06 Feb 2013

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I have used one of those cheap replacement touchscreens for mobile phones as a keyboard.
Just put a print of whatever buttons you want, colorful icons look nice too if the keys are for choosing functions.
Depends on the thickness of the frontpanel, but if you want it flush with the front you need to remove less then 1mm material, or you could make a hole and mount it from the back.

The LCD needs a rectangular hole and some mounting screws.

My printer went berserk with colors, so i need to buy a new and better one to be able to make full color front plates. It will be one of the things i will offer on my future website. It will make homemade stuff great and special.

Microblocks. Build with logic.

OA47

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Joined: 11/04/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 926

Posted: 10:10pm 06 Feb 2013

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djuqa,
Even if my nibbling and filing was a lot better than it is, I still dont think that the metal surround of the LCD units (and the exposure of the 4 mounting screws) looks finished enough on a project.

djuqa

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Joined: 23/11/2011
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Posted: 10:17pm 06 Feb 2013

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do what I have done in the past.
1/Make the hole as best you can (I use Ozito Dremel like tool with a mini saw blade from Bunnings)
2/Mount LCD flush with panel using countersunk screws.

3/Shape a nice rectangle of perspex. paint inside of perspex black about 1.5cm wider and higher than size of lcd as a border.(optionally place black contact plastic around the hole)

4/Glue or screw the perspex over the mounted LCD. I use those fancy Hex capscrews.

And you can call me David Edited by djuqa 2013-02-08

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Juri74

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Joined: 06/02/2012
Location: Italy
Posts: 162

Posted: 05:09am 08 Feb 2013

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i've done something similar in the past with a very good looking result
you need 1 good cutter, 1 adhesive photo paper and 1 adhesive plexiglass paper (1 or 2mm thin is perfect)

edit the front panel with a graphic program and print it with a good photo printer.
with a good cutter, remove spaces and make holes in the paper then apply it to the metal.
if needed make holes in the plexiglass paper (it is much easier work a 1mm thin plexiglass paper with a cutter than a 1mm thin metal)
apply the plexiglass over the printed panel

the result is very professional, better use capacitive buttons to have a completely flat and touch sensitive front panel

for a better result i suggest you to use black as background color for the front panel

OA47

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Posted: 03:53pm 08 Feb 2013

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Any chance of some photos, Juri74 or djuqa ?

Juri74

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Joined: 06/02/2012
Location: Italy
Posts: 162

Posted: 01:28am 09 Feb 2013

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sadly no.. i used this trick years ago when i built my led oscilloscope.. then 3 years ago i sold it to ebay because i bought a "real" oscilloscope...
actually i saw that there are plexiglass paper with mirror effect, i never used it but i think that the result will be much better :D

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