With regard to the recent new interest in creating one-off panels, decals,
etc....
I just bought (but haven't yet played with...came in last night...) a
machine called a "Xyron" ... it is a cold-laminator, attractively priced.
There are several models depending on material width.
Even the lowly model 510 can take 5" wide material, which is enough for your
basic MOTM module sizes, fed in short side first.
These machines, using easily changeable cartridges, can take printed
material in up to 1/16" thick, and either laminate one side, both sides,
apply adhesive to one side, apply adhesive to one side and make the other
side laminated, and even apply a laminated finish to one side and a
_magnetic sheet backing_ to the other side! Instant refrigerator magnets! In
fact, I was thinking about scanning/photographing my MOTM modules and making
a series of 1:1 scale refrigerator magnets so that I could look at modules
even while eating my Lucky Charms in the morning. Wouldn't module magnets be
cool for designing a system layout?
The adhesives are available in permanent and reposition-able, and both they
and the laminates are acid-free certified.
I mention these machines because I was thinking that they might be a good
resource for creating good-looking one-off panels. Design it on the PC,
print it on the laser printer, run it through the Xyron to apply a
protective lamination to the front and a permanent adhesive to the back, and
stick it onto your metal blank. Stooge Larry and I were playing with all
sorts of spray glues a year and a half ago (pre-Stooge panel days) and it
was messy. I'm hoping that this thing might be a good alternative to
single-run panel making. Obviously not as good as silk-screen, but I would
think it would be better than piece-meal decals on a panel. I just question
how that would look, and how permanent it would be. I can easily imagine the
corners lifting up over time and the module looking nasty... if we didn't
care what the modules looked like, we'd all be using Dymo Labelmakers,
right?
If anyone is interested in pursuing this method (or making refrigerator
magnets of your modules, kids, etc.), you can check out the official Xyron
web site, but get better prices from this outfit:
http://www.pbplastics.com/Devices/Xyron/Xyron850.htmCheck their package deals.
Craft stores like A.C. Moore carry them, especially the smaller models, but
at 2+ times the price.
If someone else is interested and gets to try this before I do, I would be
interested in hearing about their experiences.