[sdiy] Silkscreen process

[Chris K]

Hey Hallvard,

Try using Schaeffer,
http://www.schaeffer-apparatebau.de
http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/    -(USA version)

Otherwise if you must do your own silkscreening check out Westar 
Solutions, http://www.westarsolutions.com/services.html

They have a service where they can make / prepare your screens for you, 
or if you need to purchase any supplys.

peace,
ck

> On 8/3/07 02:58, Quixotic Nixotic wrote:
>
>> On 7 Mar 2007, at 23:06, Hallvard Tangeraas wrote:
>>
>>> There are a few things however I don't understand:
>>
>>
>> I have extensive personal experience of silkscreen. I don't do it any 
>> more but I used to have my own setup at home for many years. I have 
>> printed on metal, glass, fabric, slate, papers and plastics.
>
>      (snip)
>
>> It's a great process you can do on the kitchen table, but I doubt it 
>> is cost-effective these days,
>
> Thanks for that detailed explanation. I need to read this and others' 
> replies over a few times because all of this is completely new and 
> unknown to me, so I can't say I understand that much yet. It sounds 
> pretty complicated.
>
> You say it's not cost-effective these days and digital printing has 
> taken over.
>
> My aim is to have my front-panels done in a professional way. I don't 
> care what it's called or how it's done. I just mentioned silk-screen 
> printing because that's something I've heard about.
> The other DIY methods mentioned here all seem to print on something 
> which *attaches* to the front panel. I don't want that, but rather 
> have the letters painted directly on the 19" rack panel (and rear panel).
>
> I assume I would have to get all the cutting (for plugs, switches, 
> displays etc.) done first, and this is yet another concern as I'm not 
> prepared to do accurate work like that manually (I don't have enough 
> metalworking experience and it's easy to make a mistake which will 
> ruin the whole front/rear panel), so I'd like to have that cut by 
> laser or whatever is done these days.
> I assume I can sit at home on my computer, design the whole front 
> panel, mark the cutouts, then deliver the front and rear panel 
> together with the file I've made which accurately cuts everything out 
> exactly where I want it.
> I've heard that Schaeffer Aparatbüro (I think that's the name) in 
> Germany does this, but last time I checked their website I found their 
> prices to be pretty stiff to say the least. And since they use special 
> delivery by UPS or whatever that'll surely add to the cost, and 
> finally when it arrives here in Norway I'm sure to pay lots of import 
> taxes on it, which includes the value of postage, so I can forget 
> about that!
> Also, it seems that they don't paint lettering on the panels, but 
> grind away the metal in the shape of the letters. Sounds a bit strange 
> and not the way I want it although it gave me an idea for something 
> else (also mentioned in a previous posting by Tom Arnold, pointing to 
> a page of his here: http://www.sdiy.org/xyzzy/panels/) where Tom talks 
> about (at the very bottom of the page, final paragraph) engraving and 
> filling in the engraved section with paint.
> Since in addition to labeling the switches, LEDs, connectors etc. I 
> would like to add the name of the module in big, colourful and fancy 
> letters this would probably be very nice for that.
> Perhaps some local company could do the engraving via a computer file 
> I've made with the exact right size relation etc.
> It would be nice with those letters "sticking out" slightly, with 
> solid, shiny paint.
>
> Lots of ideas, but no experience so far.....
> I'm glad I joined this list as there's lots to learn from it!
>
>
> Hallvard
>