Is there a way to test laser etching on the powder coated panel? One would
think that the detail wouldn't be any worse than silk screening the powder
coated panel. That might be the best of both worlds, laser etched graphics
and powder coated panels. I would even buy or reserve units of 1U and 2U
panels for later etching if that enabled the powder coating.
As far as anodizing variations go, I worked at a power supply company in the
early 1980s where panels were anodized gold. There was a lot of variation
in the process. More recently the Wiard blue anodized panels have have a
good degree of variation. In the few batches of Front Panel Express black
panels I have not seen much variation, however.
John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.comThe Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com > -----Original Message-----
> From: motm@yahoogroups.com [mailto:motm@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Paul
> Haneberg
>
> There are many variables in the anodizing process including the time in
> the
> tank, the amount of current applied, the temperature of the acid bath, the
> amount of time in the dye solution and the amount of time in the sealer.
> My
> suspicion would be that FPE may have changed the grade of aluminum or they
> may have changed the manufacturer of the dye. We would certainly strive
> to
> be consistant. I would also point out that there are subtle differences
> between MOTM panels made at different times and between Stooge Panels and
> MOTM panels. Paul S. has changed painters several times. Not everyone
> has
> the same technique.
>
> I should also say that powder coating is an option as well, although I
> have
> not compared the quality of graphics on a laser etched anodized panel to
> that of powder coated. Having the panels painted the same way as they are
> now and then laser etching them is also a possibility, but the cost would
> be
> higher and I doubt the graphics would be quite as sharp.
>
> Paul H.
>