Quote:
Originally Posted by logansc
Can someone tell me the process to have Stein laser engrave? Can I just send in a painted panel and a hand drawing and call it a day?
Lee...
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In some cases yes - it is that easy. But, it depends on how you cut the panel out to begin with and what you want labeled on it. For example, if you hand cut your panel and if you have a row of switches that are not perfectly spaced and aligned, then we have to lay out the labels in CAD by hand in order to make them fit with the holes you put in the panel.
Conversely if you just want simple things added like your registration number, etc.. it's not nearly as difficult. Also, if you have a CAD drawing of your panel already then it's easier. If you want color added we do that after we engrave through the paint/powdercoat/hydrodip/overlay, etc..
Also note that your paint needs to be of reasonable quality, many rattle can paints (single stage Enamel or Lacquer and such) are far inferior to a catalyzed paint when it comes to engraving (or long term durability for that matter).
Like most pro shops that do this for a living, we used to Silk Screen but stopped that a decade or so ago. Now we laser engrave because it's frankly the best (not necessarily the cheapest though). Our other well known high quality colleagues at Aerotronics and Avionics systems also quit silkscreening many long years ago.
Lastly, regarding labels Rick brings up a good point. We try to encourage people to name things like "COMM" instead of "GTR20" or "AP" instead of "GMC", or "TXPDR" instead of "GTX". That way if you buy a different model number nothing needs to be changed.
There are as many ways to skin this cat as there are ways to put primer in your plane - all can be made to work and most can be made to look good. It really depends on your skill level, the time you take to do it, preparation and execution. If there was one perfect solution the others would cease to exist!
Just my 2 cents as usual!
Cheers,
Stein
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