pitbldr

Ah... interesting. If white paint is not needed, then that would be a huge time saver. Not to mention making it easier to create these. :) I can't really picture what you mean by "painting the inside". Why would you not just paint the whole panel? Check out this test panel I did several weeks back (http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1021339&postcount=25). It was not on a laser but if the part had not moved (double sided tape failure) I think it would have turned out really nice. This was on white acrylic with 3 layers of paint. I was supposed to see a LaserPro C180 demo today, but we're getting some frozen stuff on the ground today, so I don't know if I'll venture out. Also, it was only a 12watt model and I've found better deals on 30 and 40 watt machines. Keep us posted on your panel work - I am very interested in learning from you! :D

That's very nice! :thumbup: What laser system are you using? I ask because I am having a demo of a Universal VLS system this weekend. If it impresses, I think I'll have a new toy for Christmas! :D I assume you'll be painting it first then engraving? Have you done any experimenting with painting it white first, then black and then just engraving black paint off? Sorry for all the questions, just very curious about the process.

Thanks!!! :thumbup:

Ah, this thread's taken a bad turn... :lol:

That's amazing work TH! I may have to plan a trip to Norway some day just to see this in action!! :thumbup:

I'm excited! I don't have and don't plan to have a touchscreen. HELIOS for me will be used to help interface my real switches and for displaying guages from the front dash - although over time, I hope to add "real" guages. :)

Thanks! :) I think anyone can do this.... if I can, anyone can! Just got to be willing to waste some material, start over... twice, borrow ideas from others more skilled :music_whistling: and sit staring at things that did not work until another idea pops into your head! :D

Thanks guys!! :D Trigger - take whatever you need!

I've got to stop looking at this thread!!! You're prompting me to want to do more and more on my project! STOP IT! :smilewink:

Here it is "in the flesh"! I think I'll be tweaking a few things, but it's gonna get the job done. Even my wife thought it was cool! :D Obviously the panels and plates are not painted or engraved yet.

One Master card allows you to have 64 outputs and 72 inputs, but you can connect 4 Masters cards to an Expansion card. So with that, yes you could have hundreds of buttons. :)

And just in case you can't get to the OC site for some reason, here's the image the card from their site.

Hey Snipes, There's actually more than one card involved with Opencockpits stuff. There are pictures for all of them on the OC site. Here's the master card: http://www.opencockpits.com/modules.php?name=Content2&pa=showpage&pid=30 It can be used by itself if I understand correctly, but you can also connect it to a USB expansion card. There are other cards needed it you wanted encoders, motors, etc. If you're looking for pictures of the cards wired up, then there is also a gallery on the OC site. Otherwise, you can probably find some images through Google. I hope that helps. :)

Nice idea on the "cube like thingy"! I've been wondering how I might do that.... mind if I borrow your idea? :music_whistling:

Thanks! :) It's actually only 12" high at it's highest point. Since I don't know yet what type of seat I'll be using, I opted to make it lower since I can always add a base for it to raise it up if needed.

LOL - it's not as much talent as it is trial and error! :D Thanks!

First draft of my left console assembly. I've already built the frame that will support the panels (modeled in black) and I'll be cutting out the ribs later today from 1/2" plywood. I have not decided yet if I'll used plywood or aluminum to "skin" the sides. I'm sure aluminum will look better with paint, I'll just have to see what the cost will be for several large sheets. I've also left space for what I hope one day will be a Warthog. That will undoubtedly alter the design in a few areas. Once I've built this, I'll begin working on the front portion of the console that angles up.

:megalol:

Very nice! I like the touch of Danger sign on the back of the "ejection seat"! :thumbup:

:shocking: Wow... very impressive!

LOL - I'm not much of a chocolate lover, so I never even noticed that! :lol: I'll try both the green LED's and the gel to see which one works best. The only issue with the gel that comes to mind is that the panel has holes recessed on the back of it for the LED's to sit in when the panel is mounted with the backplate. With this design, I'd have to find a way to get the gel in those holes. I'll be redoing this panel regardless as I don't like how large the grooves turned out. Especially now that I'll always want a chocolate bar whenever I'm sitting in the pit! :) This is why I like posting my progress... you guys are full of great ideas! Thanks for the feedback guys!!

Well, first attempt at the caution panel is done. This is basically a faux panel as it's all one piece of acrylic. It's white too since this was only a test. I am going get some green acrylic to use for the real deal. In the second pic you can see a LED behind one of the sections and there is some bleed over right now, but I think I have a solution for that. I've also already modified this design to make the grooves smaller and enlarge the text from .1" to .11". :)

Great! Thanks for the help!

I could not find where this had been asked before, but I am in need of the dimensions on the base of the WH throttle. Would any of you lucky souls that already possess one be willing to measure it for me? As accurate as possible please as I will be using the data to design the recess for it on the console for my pit project. Thanks! :)

Lookin good! :thumbup: