C

chinch

Active Member
Last night when surfing, I came across an echo of a previous life when I built a F16 cockpit for a simulator - but the build quality coming out of the online cottage sim building industry these days is really something to behold...

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Anyway, does anyone know how panels like this are made? I'm guessing CNC machined aluminum plate which is then powdercoated? Any ideas?

If something of this build quality can be built for a sim, why not for an -8? Obviously it wouldn't look exactly like this (although.....:):):))

More pictures at http://aviationsimulationgroup.com/F16Panels.aspx
 
For yet some more fun, I have just started building a Learjet45 cockpit sim - full panel.

These sub panels are usually made of a white plastic material, holes and shape milled on a CNC mill, spray painted the surface colour, then the text is cnc milled through the paint and into the white - so the panel can be backlit with LED's.

Not sure about the yellow stripes, probably painted/transfer after finish.

Panels are drawn in a CAD program then cut. You can make any shape that fits the mill.

Yes, I was planning on using the cnc mill to also make some backlit panels for my RV (when I get around to starting it). All I have to do is work out how to operate the mill!
 
Screen printing your panel will give you this same look. I screen printed mine and the results were very good, even though I was printing over a rough finish powder coat.

I paid about $150 for the screen and supplies. Add another $30 for yellow ink if you want the two tone. I used plain yellow paint stripes masked with tape to save buying the second color. The yellow on mine does not look as good as the screen print..
 
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Its usually translucent plastic painted white first, then a darker colour, with the lettering engraved in. A small bulb (or LED) embedded in the plastic lights up the lettering at night. There are a few firms in the US who will build any kind of panel for your - the main show is in Orlando right after thanksgiving and is called I/ITSEC - if you google their website there should be a few leads on suitable companies.

Pete
 
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panel envy

...oh man, I wish you hadn't shown us that!!!! :)

these guys are great, & crazy at the same time.

do they realize there are a few THOUSand RV and other home builders who might want their product???? If I was a nite VFR pilot even, the backlit panel would be sooooo nice.
 
flyboy1963 said:
do they realize there are a few THOUSand RV and other home builders who might want their product???? If I was a nite VFR pilot even, the backlit panel would be sooooo nice.
Click to expand...

I'm working on opening a dialog along those lines with the builder concerned, will let you know how I get on. The only thing that concerns me is having a big ol' sheet of ABS plastic in the cockpit - that stuff is fine to plastic weld, but quickly goes toxic if it burns. Although I guess if your panel is burning, you've got bigger issues to deal with...
 
So, here is the response I got back from Mike Williams.

"Hi Chris, I laser cut acrylic and engrave. File/Drawing creation, then to the laser machine. Panel font engraving is laser etched. The backer plates are CNC machined .063 alum.

Let me know and I can give you a quote on custom panels for your build."

If anyone is interested and wants to take up Mike on his offer, his email is mikewilliams3(at)comcast.net.

Cheers
Chris
 
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