Homebuilt backlit panels

[kazmin]

Hi guys!

I've been trying to build panels with backlighting like this one:


http://kazey.flitepal.com/cockpit_build/backlit_panels/20170524_222631mod.jpg

While researching, I came across videos and some topics:

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/2608/how-are-backlit-aircraft-panels-for-simulators-made

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5efmnMKkMs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIGPb0ko0qE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9g2ipxu-VgM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vf7tQNYqliw

Those topics and videos refer to some sort of "laser color", "opaque special white laser color" etc., which is something I cannot understand very well. It sounds to me that they are using a special paint that laser doesn't burn.

What I got from the building process, is that it starts with clear acrylic, then this special white is applied, then black layer to stop backlighting, and then the final color. Then they go with the laser to achieve high contrast lettering.

What I've tried so far, is getting opal white acrylic, figuring that when I paint it, and then remove the paint, I would get high contrast white. Yes, but no. This is my try:


http://kazey.flitepal.com/cockpit_build/backlit_panels/wiper_2.jpg

This has been painted black, and then with gray-blueish color, then laser engraved. The laser seems to burn the paint and leaves the acrylic with with some grayish shadowy color. Not what I desire to achieve. I did not apply white, because a) I am using opal acrylic and b) I am afraid the result will be the same.

However, once backlit, it looks okay:


http://kazey.flitepal.com/cockpit_build/backlit_panels/22641966_10214242823895493_1532820798_o.jpg

But I want high contrast white when not backlit.

Does anyone have the secret?

Regards,
Ivan

[jonesthesoftware]

Ask your acrylic supplier for white translucent sheet.it's about 30% translucent NOT opal
Regards
Geoff

[kazmin]

I will try looking for it, thanks.

How about that special white paint, that seems to be an enigma?

Regards,
Ivan

[Aerosim Solutions]

I use plain white 3mm acrylic for all of my sim and panels that I sell, LED's easily backlight through 3mm (1/8")....

[jonesthesoftware]

I should have said 3mm thick translucent white acrylic. I glue this to 6mm clear which makes my panels 9mm thick but gives enough thickness for the leds and resistors which sit in cutouts in the 6mm. To improve eveness of backlighting engrave a fine crosshatch pattern on the top face of the 6mm clear under the positions where characters appear on the 3mm. Painting the underside of the 6mm white also helps scatter the light
Geoff

[MCrevot]

Hi Ivan

Same goal for me, i have almost reach it, look here, on page 15 ....
http://www.aircockpit.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=5409&start=140

Michel

[Fcoq]

Michel
You are crazy!!!
Amazing work!

[MCrevot]

Franck'
Yours are also great, i can only strongly recommend them !

Michel

[kazmin]

Hi Ivan

Same goal for me, i have almost reach it, look here, on page 15 ....
http://www.aircockpit.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=5409&start=140

Michel

Michel,

Thanks for the link Looks quite well.

Can you provide some more info on technique used - materials, painting, marking process? I see the posts are in French, I don't speak it unfortunately.

Regards,
Ivan

[Trevor Hale]

Ivan,

Click this link LOL..

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aircockpit.com%2Fviewtopic.php%3Ff%3D100%26t%3D5409%26start%3D140

Its a little slow as you scroll, but seems to work...

Trev

[kazmin]

Trevor,

Google translate is really not making too good of a job with that kind of language