Labelling Prototypes
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From: Nunya on 6 Jul 2010 13:17 On Jul 6, 6:01 am, Jim MacArthur <macart...(a)physics.harvard.edu> wrote: > My shop makes custom scientific instruments, which means a new and > different front panel every few days. My go-to method is to use a 4" > wide vinyl label printer called the DuraLabel 4TTP, loaded with > brushed aluminum stock and chemical resistant ink. The result looks > awesome, and easily passes the fingernail test. In fact, it's durable > enough that I sometimes put the label on _before_ punching the holes. > Which brings me to the downsides. First, the calibration in the > horizontal direction is only good to a few percent. This may not seem > like much of a problem, until you notice that the label for your 19" > panel is 19.5" long. Or more. Or less. It's tricky to get holes to > line up, which is why I sometimes have to apply the label before I > punch. Second, the brushed aluminum label is only available in 4" > widths, which is great for 2U enclosures, but won't cover 3U. Also, > it can be hard to convince the salesman that brushed aluminum stock (P/ > N 84-50) exists. All in all, though, I'd be in a heap of trouble > without it. > -Jim MacA. I found it, no problem... http://link.gp/84-50
From: Nunya on 6 Jul 2010 13:19 On Jul 6, 9:00 am, Spehro Pefhany <speffS...(a)interlogDOTyou.knowwhat> wrote: > On Tue, 6 Jul 2010 06:01:03 -0700 (PDT), Jim MacArthur > > > > <macart...(a)physics.harvard.edu> wrote: > >My shop makes custom scientific instruments, which means a new and > >different front panel every few days. My go-to method is to use a 4" > >wide vinyl label printer called the DuraLabel 4TTP, loaded with > >brushed aluminum stock and chemical resistant ink. The result looks > >awesome, and easily passes the fingernail test. In fact, it's durable > >enough that I sometimes put the label on _before_ punching the holes. > >Which brings me to the downsides. First, the calibration in the > >horizontal direction is only good to a few percent. This may not seem > >like much of a problem, until you notice that the label for your 19" > >panel is 19.5" long. Or more. Or less. It's tricky to get holes to > >line up, which is why I sometimes have to apply the label before I > >punch. Second, the brushed aluminum label is only available in 4" > >widths, which is great for 2U enclosures, but won't cover 3U. Also, > >it can be hard to convince the salesman that brushed aluminum stock (P/ > >N 84-50) exists. All in all, though, I'd be in a heap of trouble > >without it. > >-Jim MacA. > > Neat looking. Do you coat the panel afterward? What is "neat looking"? I did not see a link to any photo. The stock is here, and it looks good and worth it too! http://link.gp/84-50
From: Jim MacArthur on 6 Jul 2010 13:23 > > Neat looking. Do you coat the panel afterward? There's really no need. I don't understand the technology, but I just spent a minute trying to scrape the ink off of the label with a razor blade, and ended up scratching up the label without taking off the ink. Way durable. -Jim MacA
From: Jim MacArthur on 6 Jul 2010 13:36 > > What is "neat looking"? I did not see a link to any photo. > Anyone who wants a sample, email your snail mail address to macarthur then "at" then physics then dot then harvard then dot then edu I'm swimming in failed attempts, and I'd be happy to get some of them off of my bench. -Jim MacA.
From: Nemo on 6 Jul 2010 17:33
Ian Bell asks >What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? The key thing about labelling prototypes is that it must be done in such a manner that Sales are unwilling to sell your working reference unit! I thought my last project's "golden reference sample" was safe when it came back from the test lab with dents all over it from impact tests. However, to meet a sales deadline one of the managers prised it out of my claws, had the dents hammered out, retouched the paint, and sent it a quarter of the way round the globe. I'll need to weld something unsightly onto the case next time, scratch it up good and proper, drill a few "ventilation" holes in a carefully non-straight line, and add a spurious heatsink to ensure it won't fit in a normal box! -- Nemo |