Science Project - Engraved Dash Panel

[TR65]

Hey Guys,

I know that none of you would ever make a panel like this but you might want to make a different engraving like with the name of the Chief's new truck for example.

Anyway, I am putting a LS2 in my 65 and I am using all the electronic functions that I can make work. I also like lights and thought it would be good to know what all the computer is up to. I am moving the radio to under the dash so this panel with be the radio delete plate. So here is my science project.

There is some stuff called press-n-peel blue that is used to make home made circuit boards. You print your design on it with a laser printer or xerox, then iron it onto your circuit board or in my case an 1/8" thick aluminum panel. The heat transfers the toner from the xerox onto your panel. Then you etch the panel with acid. Where the toner is the acid won't eat. It etches the aluminum without the toner and you have your engraving.

Sounds easy but it took me >10 trys to get a good panel (only needed two panels the problem was getting the toner to transfer well.

[TR65]

Here are the live links:

http://www.techniks.com/

http://www.instructables.com/id/How_...igns_with_a_r/


TR

[jgarverick]

Wow that is really cool man, i dunno if I'd have the patience to make one though...

[joe231]

TR65, You never fail to amaze me..... Very cool!!!!

[ChiefRocka]

TR65..outstanding work their my friend.

Although, you lost me with this:


[QUOTE=TR65;3491896]..... like with the name of the Chief's new truck for example.

[markeb01]

The complexity is kind of mind boggling, but wow, what great information. I could see using this for some simpler projects. Thanks for sharing!

[TR65]

Thanks for the kind words men.

Chief, I just figured you could engrave a panel with the name of your new truck since the guys had the naming party thread and all.

TR

[Captainfab]

As always an informative and interesting read. That panel turned out very nice. You definitely have some patience.

[MXmaniac]

Wow, that's awesome, definitely going on my list of things to try someday.

That's a really cool way to see what your hi-tech ride is up to, I bet its gonna be awesome to watch all those lights showing you exactly whats happening.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Wow, that looks like a factory piece. Did you think about doing it in plastic? I don't know what the stuff is called, but it's what they made our name tags for our class-A uniforms out of in the Army. It's a plastic about 3/16 thick that's two colors laminated together. Black on the front, white on the back. When it's engraved with your letters, the engraving goes into the white so the letters are white. I know most sign shops can do it.

[protrash64]

Nice work TR65...cool panel. I think I'll stick to a sharpy

[Mordachai]

What an awesome project!
Nice write up and pics too!

[TR65]

Thanks Guys.

Bowties - Yep, I thought about that plastic stuff, it would work fine I think. I just wanted to do it myself.

Once food, clothing and shelter are covered it is amazing what people will do with their time. like work on old trucks.

TR

[onebad65c10]

Thats cool as $hiat. This should be a sticky for tech reference. I remember doing the home made circuit boards in high school. We used the blue transfer. Also used Sharpies to color the boards then did them in acid. Being stupid kids though we would melt things in the acid. I think I found my nexy project for my 65. Been looking to make an I.D. plate for shows.

Later

[TR65]

Thanks OneBad,

If you have problems let me know. I did everything wrong at least once before I got a good plate.

TR

[1964C10]

Awesome job and great thinking. I have actually used that process to make some prototype circuit boards, and you are right it is a PITA to get it to come out right. So kudos to you!! and thanks for sharing.

[Corts60]

That is excellent! you got my wheels turning!

[SeanPaintsFlames]

That is really cool!

I did a similar thing on my Cougar in plexiglass, but had it simply engraved on the back by a sign guy. It is also sandwiched with brushed stainless as a backing. But this way I can mount LEDs on the sides of the dash panel to light up only the engraved bits at night, as the light doesn't glow in clear glass.
Another way would be to paint the plexi black (or whatever color you want the dash), then get it engraved, so a light would shine through just the lettering at night.

[Hilandr451]

Originally Posted by 63 & 64 Bowties

Wow, that looks like a factory piece. Did you think about doing it in plastic? I don't know what the stuff is called, but it's what they made our name tags for our class-A uniforms out of in the Army. It's a plastic about 3/16 thick that's two colors laminated together. Black on the front, white on the back. When it's engraved with your letters, the engraving goes into the white so the letters are white. I know most sign shops can do it.

That's called "phenolic material". - comes in a variety of colors white letters on black or black letters on white, or any combination of color layers. (yellow letters w/ red back ground or vise-versa, etc..) We use that stuff to engrave all of our electrical boxes & control panel name plates. Odly enough, we call the labels "phenolic tags". go figure.

Sorry, that's probably way too much information.


Just curious, why do you have a "clutch in" indication light? Does that come on every time you push the pedal down? Or is that for the AC compressor fan clutch? Are you using LED's? are you pulling directly off the devices or ECU, or are you using interposing relays? If so where the heck are you mounting them?

Signed:
---confused electrical controls designer

[Chevyman680063]

That looks really good.

[TR65]

Thanks for the kind words men.

Sean,

Your truck that got crunched just after you finished it was one of the most beautiful I have seen. I can't get it out of my mind. So, thanks for your comments. The Cougar is beautiful too by the way.

Hilandr,

The clutch in light is to check the switch that tells the computer that the clutch pedal is fully depressed and thus enables the engine to start. I know, why would I put that switch in. Just weird I guess. I am trying to make the LS2 work just like it did in the 05 SSR.

The AC clutch has his own light.

All the lights are driven by the signal lines going to the ECU. They are all 12 volt lines and the ECU is detecting the presence of the voltage when the lines go hot. I think they shouldn't mind the few milliamps drawn by the LEDs. But then I am a mechanical guy not electrical so I might get surprised. Maybe you can give me some advice on that?

Thanks,

TR

[TR65]

My engine swap is nearing completion so it is time to finish up this science project.

TR

[4dranch]

Very cool...James Bond would be proud

[Captainfab]

That looks real nice. What is the reason for the voltage dropping resistors in the grounds? I'm electronically challenged

[scotts62]

Very cool!!!