[chbot] Front panels (Re: 'Printing' an enclosure)

[Wes Edwards]

On my last project I also went low-tech.  I used a standard zippy-style
plastic box from Jaycar, cut holes in the lid using drill and files after
sticking on a paper template, then I applied an overlay over the lid.

The overlay was a piece of normal paper printed on a laser printer with the
design including a colour bitmap, then the LCD panel area was cut out of the
paper with a knife. I then laminated the paper, cut out a hole for the
encoder shaft and stuck the overlay to the lid with double-sided tape.  This
hid my slightly less than perfect lid cut-out for the LCD panel, and the LCD
is visible and protected from moisture behind the transparent laminated
plastic.  A circle printed on the overlay shows where a button is located
behind a hole in the lid and there is enough flex in the overlay to allow
the button to be activated.  Ended up looking pretty good, but still waiting
to see how well it stands up to wear in the button area.  If needed it's
cheap and easy to make another overlay.  As a bonus the overlay covers up
the screws attaching the lid but they are still accessible by lifting up the
corners.

For higher-volume projects it's possible to get a tougher overlay printed on
a transparent plastic self-adhesive sheet.

Wes


On 21/09/14 00:15, Richard Jones wrote:
> An alternative method for making your front panel is to draw up what 
> you want in a drawing package (Eagle works for me).  Print the design 
> on paper and glue stick it on to your box. Then drill and cut out the 
> holes with needle files, abra file etc. Unwanted paper will wash off 
> under the tap. I find I can get accurate and repeatable results this 
> way. A bit low tech, but quick and cheap.
>
> Richard
>
> [...]