pitbldr

Like Gadroc stated, methods vary, but my laser works as a printer directly from CorelDraw. I create a drawing, assigning certain colors/line thicknesses to determine wether it will cut or engrave, and then "print" it. I actually started designing the KA-50 panels before the A-10 was announced, but never completed them since I became more focused on the Warthog. This was before I had my laser, so they were all done in Vcarve with the intention of using the CNC to make them. I could do a couple things, 1) send you the files I have for Vcarve if you plan to go the CNC route or 2) convert them over to the laser and produce them for you. Just note though that right now I am swamped and behind on several things I owe other people, so it will be several weeks before I could even start on making them. Here's the ones I had ready (keep in mind these images were generated by Vcarve which had limited capability to do this)...

Oh.... I haven't drawn that one up yet. I plan to get to it at some point though. :)

Thanks guys! It's funny, but I got into IT because of flying. I wanted my first computer back when I was 16 only for the flight simulator that was out for it. Think it was still SubLogic flight sim at the time. Seems like it was the first PC sim that came out. Anyway, didn't have the money growing up to fly for real, so I didn't start my flight training until I was 35. Got my PPL about 1.5 year later but had to stop soon after when the economy took a dive. Several things have kept me from getting back to it sooner, but it's my plan/hope now to get my CFI and get out of IT. If I do nothing more than flight instructing the rest of my life, I think I'll be happy! :) Hog - check back in post 18. The Fuel panel is there. Here's the others, both still a work in progress. AHCP - WIP.pdf Landing gear panel - WIP.pdf

Thanks guys and you're welcome! I've been meaning to get more posted, but work/life has kept me away from pit building for the last month and I don't expect to get back to it until after the New Year. I've also decided it was time to finish my original dream of being a professional pilot so I am gearing up resume flight training and work my way up to a CFI. Been a few years since I flew so I am having to re-learn some of the basics and get a few refresher flights in. :D

Glad to help! :D Froglips - I can't speak for Gadroc, but I have a CNC and a laser. While the CNC will cut out the panels from acrylic fine and faster than the laser, IMO it doesn't compare to the laser for engraving the panels. The CNC can do the engraving, but it takes more precise setup where the laser is more forgiving. For example, if you only want to engrave to a depth of .005", the panel will need to be almost perfectly perpendicular to the Z plane or you'll end up with varying depths. You really wouldn't have to worry about that on the laser. It can be done though, just takes more patience and tweaking to get good results on the CNC (again, just from my experience).

That looks incredible! Nice work!! I bet it feels very immersive when you're in it. :thumbup:

I'll second that. I wouldn't get the phidgets board for just one light. Plan on using it for the other indicator lights or for backlighting.

That won't be a problem. I've got several things I need to finish up and hope to start making some more panels next weekend.

Great work Tulsa! :D I see there is some light bleeding through on some of buttons. I've had issues with getting enough paint on those in some areas. I may try using a small brush to put on a couple extra coats in those areas. If you want to try fixing it, you could try that and just paint the "shoulder" dark gray or black and that should seal it up.

Will do... thanks!

What's the current procedure for "exporting" the CDU, RWR, etc. from the sim? I've not messed with this since upgrading to the .09 patch, but the steps listed in the first post of this thread aren't working. We're still able to pull this data from the sim right??

Wow, love the case! You cutting those on your CNC? I gave up on working with aluminum as it was messy and I kept breaking bits! :D What's causing the reflection around your master caution button? Very nice work!!

I've printed out things like this before at Fedex/Kinkos stores. Didn't cost much at all. I think you'll need the file in another format as I don't think they can work with the .cdr file. If you can open it, you may be able to save as or export it to PDF format. If it's accurately sized in the document, then it would just need to be printed at 1:1 scale. If it's not 1:1 (and I'd be surprised if it wasn't), then you'd need to ask Gene.

Don't worry... with that many buttons to solder up, you'll be a pro in no time! :D

That looks great! Will you be (or have you) soldered wires to those switches or did you have some type of plug for them?

Looking good!! :)

Thanks for the link to that! I've been looking for a VGA model, but didn't want to drop the cash on it til I knew it would work. :)

Here's what I have now that I am preparing to test.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/270773922560?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649 The active area on this is 72mm x 53.56mm (2.835"x2.109") which is big enough (I think) to work. The attached image compares the two sizes. The green colored square is closer to the actual CDU design and the blue square would fit this display from ebay.

The display opening in my current design is 3.44"x2.50" and this LCD appears to have viewable area of 72mmx4omm (2.835"x1.575"), so it could work if I reduced the window to that size, however I don't think you'd be able to line up the text with the LSK's with a screen that small.

I used a 5inch lcd for that test. It's really too large for the panel since it is as wide as the panel and blocks the LSK buttons. I have been looking for a lcd that works and I've found one that is smaller, but would fit in between the LSK buttons and allow a backplate with pushbuttons under those. I need to cut the panel to fit that lcd and test it all out. Hope to do that in the next couple of weeks. Yeah, I plan to made some more CDU panels at some point. I even have a PCB design that would work with a matrix board like the X-keys interface. I've not been able to have this produced yet as it will be very expensive to make only one or two of them.

Glad to help out!! :D Looking forward to seeing the pics.

A few more drawings... SAS panel.pdf Lighting Control Panel.pdf Stall Warning panel.pdf

Here's a few of my panel drawings. I plan to release more soon. If printed 1:1, you should have a panel width of 5.75". For those of you interested in getting panels from me, you'll be able to use these along with the backplates attached in the first post to start laying out your design or to use with other's like Dimebug's plans. Standard disclaimer - these are not 100% accurate compared to the real panels and are subject to change as I gather more data or receive feedback. :D Aux lighting panel.pdf EFCP panel.pdf Elec pwr panel.pdf Fuel panel.pdf Intercom panel.pdf

Looking good Colin!! You plan on selling "plug and play" gauges or is this just for your project?

That's nice work! :thumbup::thumbup: Were you able to engrave those on your CNC?