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Aluminum Panels

Aluminum Panels

2004-02-18 by sk0za

Hello group-

does anyone here know of a location from which I could order some anodized
aluminum to make faceplates for modules? I know Paia has panel blanks, and Blacet
has them as well (but with annoying guide-holes) but those aren't quite what I am
looking for...

If possible I'd like to find some in Red- that would be wonderful... or possibly just
silver-brushed looking.

I've trolled my yellowpages and the web and I'm having no luck- maybe I'm not
searching for the correct thing?

In my searching I did discover this though, it may be of assistance to someone:

http://www.thomasregister.com/olc/50883503/pgpg10.htm

apparently they make anodized aluminum nameplates and panels with a photo-
process, and they can place holes as well. they seem to have a variety of thicknesses
and finishes- all in all I could imagine some sharp looking modules from these guys.
there's no pricing listed on the site though: you have to get a bid from them...

I may check it out and if things look good I'll let you know.

thanks

s

Re: Aluminum Panels

2004-02-19 by Fernando

You should be able to find aluminium sheets or cutted to size.
Look in to normal-life shops in the city. Beguin with shops that make
aluminium windows, etc. If they can't do it as you want they can tell
you where to do it.
There are simple methods to label your panels. Ray Wilson explain how
he did his panel for the SoundLab mini synth. It's very well and
briefly explained on his site.
There is also some material you can print on a laser printer and
stick it to the panel. It can be transparent, white or silver AFAIR.
And then the -may be- super method. A decal system. You print on your
ink jet or laser (don't remember if both ways) and then you peel the
decal in water. You stick it on to the panel and put it on the oven.
It becomes a durable hard-shell_ish finish. You can spray some more
protection on to it so the sons of your sons will still enjoy your
music machine.
I'll try to find the links to all this later. I need a sleep now!

Have fun,

Fernando


f
*

Re: Aluminum Panels

2004-02-20 by bbluthang

i'm halfway thru building my own panels.
i had an aluminium shop cut the panels to size. the shop normally
makes accessories for 4 wheel drive vehicles.
they were cheap and did a good job, but there were plenty of
scratches to deal with = hours on the polisher.
i used a drill stand for the holes.
nothing difficult, just tedious when you are doing 18 A4 size panels.

for the labelling, i 1st tried lasertran, which is a clear transfer,
as mentioned by fernando.
it cost $18 for 5 sheets and a print shop charged $6 to print each
one (my designs are quite colourful)

when the lasertran is dry, it alligned perfectly with the holes on my
panels. but you soak it to apply and when wet, it stretches - by
about 5-10%. not good.
you must use a squeegee to get the air out.
after baking they looked ok, but scratched easily. i tried using an
acrylic sealant (as recommended) but it all reacted.
then i tried to attach some pots and the lasertran cracked and broke
away in large pieces.
at this point i just scraped all the panels clean
poorer and wiser.
maybe it was me, maybe lasertran is no good on polished aluminium?

next i tried photo quality clear printing labels, $8 for 10 A4 sheets.
printed it out at my office using an inkjet.
the colours were much brighter than the lasertran.
stuck the labels on the panels, you must use a squeegee to squeeze
out the air. the transfers were strong enough that i could peel them
off and re-apply when i thought they weren't correct.
then i covered the whole lot in clear 'contact', thick clear film.

panels look great, i'm happy.

one thing- if you want anodised panels, it may be safer to buy plain
aluminium, drill your holes, polish out the scratches, then get it
anodised.
this way you avoid scratching the nice anodising - and it scratches
easily.
hope this helps
andrew
Show quoted textHide quoted text
--- In cgs_synth@yahoogroups.com, "Fernando" <fdi@r...> wrote:
> You should be able to find aluminium sheets or cutted to size.
> Look in to normal-life shops in the city. Beguin with shops that
make
> aluminium windows, etc. If they can't do it as you want they can
tell
> you where to do it.
> There are simple methods to label your panels. Ray Wilson explain
how
> he did his panel for the SoundLab mini synth. It's very well and
> briefly explained on his site.
> There is also some material you can print on a laser printer and
> stick it to the panel. It can be transparent, white or silver AFAIR.
> And then the -may be- super method. A decal system. You print on
your
> ink jet or laser (don't remember if both ways) and then you peel
the
> decal in water. You stick it on to the panel and put it on the
oven.
> It becomes a durable hard-shell_ish finish. You can spray some more
> protection on to it so the sons of your sons will still enjoy your
> music machine.
> I'll try to find the links to all this later. I need a sleep now!
>
> Have fun,
>
> Fernando
>
>
> f
> *

Re: Aluminum Panels

2004-02-20 by Fernando

Great help, thank you!

A picture of your finished panel would be great as a reference.
Also the reference of the product you used.

I'm not shure if I get it: you was able to install and remove a
couple of times the sheet on the panel? That is great, aligning must
not be very easy at the begining.
And then you sticked a second transparent layer? Or did you brush or
spray something?

Be aware that the info I gave is only theoretical, from reading, I
didn't have time to try any of the methods suggested. So is good your
experience with the Lasertrans.


The links I have:

He used various methods, good info
http://monopole.ph.qmw.ac.uk/~thomas/synthdiy/frontpanel.htm

Lazertran
http://www.lazertran.com/inkinstructions.html

QuickLaser
http://www.megauk.com/

Re: Aluminum Panels

2004-02-22 by bbluthang

--- In cgs_synth@yahoogroups.com, "Fernando" <fdi@r...> wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Great help, thank you!
>
> A picture of your finished panel would be great as a reference.
> Also the reference of the product you used.

i will pull my finger out and get some pics posted this week.
i'm in japan, and used locally made paper. the key words for finding
the paper
are - inkjet, label, clear and gloss (or matt).
i also experimented with clear holographic labels and the results
were good tho a little garish.
>
> I'm not shure if I get it: you was able to install and remove a
> couple of times the sheet on the panel? That is great, aligning
must
> not be very easy at the begining.
> And then you sticked a second transparent layer? Or did you brush
or
> spray something?

yes, if the transfer was not alligned i was able to peel it off and
re-do, then i covered it with a second transparent layer - clear film
from a hardware store - about $4/square metre. i think you could
spray something on....experiment! but the clear film was cheap,
strong, didn't smell and very easy to apply.
remember - use a squeegee!
>
> Be aware that the info I gave is only theoretical, from reading, I
> didn't have time to try any of the methods suggested. So is good
your
> experience with the Lasertrans.

i think lasertran may work well with painted surfaces and is cut into
small labels - just a word and dial markings. but it is expensive
stuff and even more so if you don't have a laser printer.
also, i felt the colours were much brighter on the clear label paper
and the lasertran stretched when wet - that was a big problem.
hope this helps
andrew

Re: Aluminum Panels

2004-02-22 by bbluthang

hi
posted some panel pics in the photos section
you can see bubbling on the seq switch/vc divider/dc mixer panel
that was done b4 i bought a squeegee.
andrew

Re: Aluminum Panels (pics)

2004-02-23 by z_flash_ram

Man those are cool panels! So you are building groups of modules
with each (group) its own panel. What are the dimensions of one of
those panels? How do all these fit together?
Nice work, very interesting.

Chris

Re: Aluminum Panels (pics)

2004-02-24 by bbluthang

--- In cgs_synth@yahoogroups.com, "z_flash_ram" <z_flash_ram@y...>
wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Man those are cool panels! So you are building groups of modules
> with each (group) its own panel. What are the dimensions of one of
> those panels? How do all these fit together?
> Nice work, very interesting.
>
> Chris

hi Chris
i guess the CGS/Serge influence is easy to see.
the panels are 260mm by 180mm. i'm planning to build them into
largish briefcases - 4 panels to a lid. gotta be mobile.
andrew

Re: Aluminum Panels (pics)

2004-02-24 by z_flash_ram

Andrew,
So does each briefcase have its own powersupply?
Chris
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> hi Chris
> i guess the CGS/Serge influence is easy to see.
> the panels are 260mm by 180mm. i'm planning to build them into
> largish briefcases - 4 panels to a lid. gotta be mobile.
> andrew

Re: Aluminum Panels (pics)

2004-02-25 by bbluthang

--- In cgs_synth@yahoogroups.com, "z_flash_ram" <z_flash_ram@y...>
wrote:
Show quoted textHide quoted text
> Andrew,
> So does each briefcase have its own powersupply?
> Chris
>
hi Chris
hopefully each case will have its own 1A psu ....and maybe little
wheels. to mount the panels, hmm i have a thing for hinges.
at the moment i'm torn between buying the cases, or building my own.
the 1st option is the cheaper, but the 2nd is more interesting.
its all pretty much trial and error, fun tho.
andrew

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