Ben-111 Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 Team. New here. Please be nice. Thanks for the acceptance. Just starting out on a home F18. When I say starting out I mean doing the research. Apart from buying What’s the current best method for making instrument panels. CNC Laser 3D print. Thanks.
lesthegrngo Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 I do't think that there are any 'best' methods - a quick look at what people have achieved on this forum shows that any of those methods, plus a few more all work, with the necessary application of thought and skill and patience. I am lucky enough to possess all three of those, plus a basic desktop milling machine and lathe, and I've been able to make stuff I never dreamed of However a combination of a CNC router and laser cutter / engraver is responsible for 95% of my stuff. Used correctly they can do many things. My basic method for making a panel is to use the CNC router to make a backplate (normally from MDF) using the CNC router, then make a PCB to fit the electronics, again with the CNC router, and make the fascia from painted acrylic sheet laser engraved and cut. I use my 3d printer for some jobs, but most panels are a collection of flat surfaces and a little ingenuity can make some complicated shapes on the router. For info I have the K40 type laser cutter, a 3040 CNC router (get the biggest one you can afford) and a Lulzbot Mini 3D printer, which in my opinion is a bit too small Hope this helps Les
Middlefart Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 I make my panels from acrylic which I laser cut on a K40 laser. Engaved panels are made from white acrylic which i paint black and then laser engave the paint away where the text etc is. Some parts are 3D-printed on a Creality Ender 3. PCB's I either etch myself or order från JLCPCB.
Lobinjaevel Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 If you don't care about backlighting I would go with a 3d printer and Dymo label printer. I have built entier side console with that metod and it pretty cheap to. Openhornet project has most of the files you need for that
Deadman Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 CNC would be my first choice if i could only have one tool you can do it all . pocket it for switches and back lighting and PCB mounting threaded inserts. After it has been painted you can engrave it . you then have a solid panel instead of layers. https://forum.dcs.world/topic/133818-deadmans-cockpit-base-plans/#comment-133824 CNCs and Laser engravers are great but they can't do squat with out a precise set of plans.
SkyJunky Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 I have all three, CNC, laser and 3D printer. In my opinion, it depends on the quality that everything should have in the end. Is it a pure VR cockpit or do you need everything illuminated. I use all 3 tools. In my opinion you should have a lot of patience and a lot of your own ideas, this is much more important than these 3 tools. Sky´s Simpit
lesthegrngo Posted May 22, 2020 Posted May 22, 2020 If you can do without backlighting the panels, I estimate you save 50% of your effort Les
Ben-111 Posted May 24, 2020 Author Posted May 24, 2020 If you can do without backlighting the panels, I estimate you save 50% of your effort Les Thanks. Nope will be needing back lit.
RustBelt Posted May 25, 2020 Posted May 25, 2020 Clear arcrylic on Aluminum. That's how the real ones are made and How i made the one in my Race car. CNC or hand cut the Aluminum, Laser or CNC the acrylic Paint white, paint final color, then engrave through the paint with either CNC or Laser. Mount LED's on the Aluminum back along with switches and such. drill holes part way through the back of the arcrylic for the led's to go in. 3D printer is great for mounting brackets and such. Go hard baller and use captive screws on the panels for extra cool factor.
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