Panel lettering

[Chris Crosskey]

>Screenprinting and alu etching look certainly great,
>no question.
>
>But one reason for me doing DIY is experimentation.
>Doing strange modules for strange sounds, perhaps nobody
>has thought before. So , it is very likely, that quite
>a number of modules stay "single" though they work fine.
>What if you only need one module (e.g. SSB-Filter
>and other strange stuff) ? Things might get very expensive
>in this case.
>


..Ahh....I'm ahead of you on this......all of my designs use the same 
basic panel drilling, so if I get a batch of fifty or a hundred made 
all my modules will use them, unused 1/4" holes can be filled with 
plugs


>What about that simple idea :
>
>-Do the layout with an drafting tool (e.g. Correl Draw),
>any colour you like, and include also hole drilling
>"crosshairs". 
>
>-Print the layout on not to cheap paper with some inkjet.
>
>-The "Seno" company is said to offer  a self adhesive matt (non shiny)
>poly-x-foil (don't know what it exactly made off).


I do, it's a polycarb by the feel of it. I use it occasionally to lift 
designs from magasines. It's more expensive than screenprinting that's 
for sure, and if you make more than one it's lots more expensive. For 
your method why not print in black onto OHP film, but with the image 
flipped, then use permanent lay-out spray glue to stick the artwork to 
a panel. Then drill, clean-up etc....I was going to do this until I 
fell over our local print co-operative...


>Now stick the printed layout on that foil, face down.
>Glue the white paper side on the alu Panel with not too strong
>glue, so that it can be easily removed in case of damage.
>
>-Drill holes ( paper side up to avoid damage of the panel).
>Remove any sharp edges. Remove surplus material of foil and
>paper with a sharp knife. Mount devices. Ready.
>
>Sounds simple. Maybe too simple ?
>
>What about UV sensitivity of the colour (after a year or so) ?
>
>It is unlikely, that I'm the first to think about such a method.
>(I think Rick Jansen tryed it with printing directly on overhead projection
>foil, but that seemed to be too "shiny" and "only" black and 
>"white").
>
Ahh....ignore comment above then, you could use a more modern inkjet 
to print in colour and use that though.
chrisc
>Any ideas ?
>
>m.c.
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