Labelling Prototypes
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From: Jim Thompson on 6 Jul 2010 17:59 On Tue, 6 Jul 2010 22:33:57 +0100, Nemo <zzz(a)nospam.nospam.nospam.nospam.co.uk> wrote: >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! Bwahahahaha! BTDT! I've had Motorola salesmen drift thru my lab, then sell chips that weren't even designed yet. Finally I resorted to banning sales personnel from my labs and offices :-) ...Jim Thompson -- | James E.Thompson, CTO | mens | | Analog Innovations, Inc. | et | | Analog/Mixed-Signal ASIC's and Discrete Systems | manus | | Phoenix, Arizona 85048 Skype: Contacts Only | | | Voice:(480)460-2350 Fax: Available upon request | Brass Rat | | E-mail Icon at http://www.analog-innovations.com | 1962 | Obama: A reincarnation of Nixon, narcissistically posing in politically-correct black-face, but with fewer scruples.
From: Grant on 6 Jul 2010 18:11 On Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:11:31 -0700, John Larkin <jjlarkin(a)highNOTlandTHIStechnologyPART.com> wrote: >On Mon, 5 Jul 2010 10:15:22 -0700 (PDT), mpm <mpmillard(a)aol.com> >wrote: > >>On Jul 5, 10:51 am, Ian Bell <ruffreco...(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >>> What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking >>> particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) >>> containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need labelling. >>> So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, special >>> transparent overhead projector type film with built in adhesive and >>> contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl decals. I need >>> something I can design easily myself on a PC and either produce myself >>> or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of the above might >>> work but before I take the plunge I thought I would ask what others use??? >>> >>> Cheers >>> >>> Ian >> >>Silkscreening. Even if a one-off. >>Cheap, easy, professional-looking results. >> >>The setup I use (Speedball, I think), has reusable screens, so once >>you get going, you can change as often as your mind does. >>The only major investment for me was the light stand, though you could >>probably DIY roll your own. >>The lightbulb is about $10, and at least here, available locally. >>5000K, I think. A Photo-Flood #12, IIRC. >> >>Good luck. >>- mpm > >We make nice looking labels with an inkjet color printer and some sort >of adhesive paper stuff. They're good enough to use for product >photos, or to put on eval loaners for customers to play with. For >production, we just send the same file to a label company. > >These photos used fake labels: > >http://www.highlandtechnology.com/DSS/T750DS.html > >http://www.highlandtechnology.com/DSS/P730DS.html > >You can even include little translucent windows for LED indications. >They are a little denser on the paper protos than the real polycarb >labels. Do you put clear adhesive plastic (like Contact) over the paper? Might be able to use cutouts for LEDs then. Grant.
From: Ian Bell on 6 Jul 2010 18:45 On 06/07/10 00:40, StickThatInYourPipeAndSmokeIt wrote: > On Mon, 05 Jul 2010 23:38:20 +0100, Ian Bell<ruffrecords(a)yahoo.com> > wrote: > >> On 05/07/10 22:19, StickThatInYourPipeAndSmokeIt wrote: >>> On Mon, 05 Jul 2010 22:11:23 +0100, Ian Bell<ruffrecords(a)yahoo.com> >>> wrote: >>> >>>> >>>> I should alos have said I am aware of Front Panel Designer - the only >>>> thing that puts me off is I think the resolution of their engraving will >>>> not be fine enough for what I require. >>>> >>>> I am also aware of protocase and may well use them in the future. >>>> >>>> Thanks again for all the ideas. >>>> >>>> Cheers >>>> >>>> Ian >>> >>> Then, a local decorative engraver would be the choice for that. >>> >> >> I already tried that - unfortunately none of them can handle a 3U high >> 19inch panel. >> > > Then they would only qualify as decorative engraver wanna bes. > > Try a good gunsmith. They can usually refer you to the right guy if > they do not perform such things themselves. Remember I am in the UK. Gunsmiths are not common. Cheers ian
From: Ian Bell on 6 Jul 2010 18:46 On 06/07/10 02:50, Ralph Barone wrote: > In article > <d87e215a-1324-4844-a691-250b15d7354c(a)y4g2000yqy.googlegroups.com>, > mpm<mpmillard(a)aol.com> wrote: > >> On Jul 5, 2:47 pm, Jamie >> <jamie_ka1lpa_not_valid_after_ka1l...(a)charter.net> wrote: >>> Ian Bell wrote: >>>> What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking >>>> particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) >>>> containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need labelling. >>>> So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, special >>>> transparent overhead projector type film with built in adhesive and >>>> contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl decals. I need >>>> something I can design easily myself on a PC and either produce myself >>>> or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of the above might >>>> work but before I take the plunge I thought I would ask what others use??? >>> >>>> Cheers >>> >>>> Ian >>> >>> For small cabinets I print out via laser in mirror form, the drill >>> locations, knock out locations, control labeling, logo's etc. all on a >>> single sheet of either ink jet photo paper or clay paper and iron it >>> on the surface.. when removed via wetting it, 99% of it comes out and >>> I touch up what I don't like.. then I spray it with a clear coat to >>> protect it.. >>> >>> P.S. >>> The cabinets I used either have a base color already on it that the >>> toner sticks to nicely or we spray it with a thin clear coat first.. >>> >>> It does give a shinny look if that isn't abjectable. >>> >>> Jamie.. >> >> BTW, if anyone in the US would like a really great deal on some small >> metal NEMA-4 enclosures (Hammond EJ-863's and nearby sizes), I can be >> talked into giving a VERY good deal. >> Brand spanking new. Never opened. > > Many of our local trophy shops now have laser engravers. Give them any > printable file (Visio works well and knows about absolute dimensions) > and they will laser etch that into any material you like. Yes, I already tried that but none I can find can hand a 3U 19inch panel. Cheers ian
From: Jim Flanagan on 6 Jul 2010 18:49
On 7/5/2010 11:51 AM, Ian Bell wrote: > What do you guys use for labelling prototypes? I am thinking > particularly of control panels (19 in rack mounting for example) > containing pots, toggle and rotary switched all of which need > labelling. So far I have looked at iron on T shirt printer paper, > special transparent overhead projector type film with built in > adhesive and contacted a company that does custom stick-on vinyl > decals. I need something I can design easily myself on a PC and either > produce myself or have produced at reasonable cost. Any one of more of > the above might work but before I take the plunge I thought I would > ask what others use??? > > Cheers > > Ian Ian... Please give this a look over.. http://www.pulsarprofx.com/decalpro/ This technique allows you to make dry transfer labels, including colored graphics. I've used this many times and the results are as good as or better than silk screening. Takes a bit of practice but I find it to be the ideal way to do what you want. Your labeling will definitely look professional. There are some actual users who posted their results. You can buy the laminator on Ebay for about $25 dollars. I think I paid about $50 to buy everything that I needed and the supplies will last quite a while. The fellow is extremely helpful when you request support. Try this and you will not go back to the old methods. The only drawback to this is you do need a laser printer and it takes a little time. Once you get the knack, it goes fast. Good luck Jim Oh, by the way... You can make WHITE transfer labels that can be rub onto the panels. I know of no other way (other than silkscreening) for doing this... |