Faceplate suggestions.
Faceplate suggestions.
(OP)
I'm working on a controller that would be nice to drop into a recessed hole in a product. I'd like be able to route out a faceplate, using a CNC router, that I can mount the controller to the back of.
I need to be able to run a single 'touch' button on this plate and it will need graphics silk screened onto it.
First thought is acrylic! I have a bunch it and it routes delightfully, can be silk screened, and touch works thru it ~OK.
But I bet UL would not be pleased....
You guys have any suggestions for material that would be ULable?
I need to be able to run a single 'touch' button on this plate and it will need graphics silk screened onto it.
First thought is acrylic! I have a bunch it and it routes delightfully, can be silk screened, and touch works thru it ~OK.
But I bet UL would not be pleased....

You guys have any suggestions for material that would be ULable?
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com





RE: Faceplate suggestions.
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
Gunnar Englund
www.gke.org
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Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
Define "touch button" are you talking about a resistive/capacitive switch or a tactile dome behind a membrane switch layer...
Is it the 94V-0 aspect that you are concerned about?
ABS?
polycarbonate?
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals" -- Booker T. Washington
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
I'm buying boxes a hundred at a time, made out of 94V-0 ABS. So I know that's possible.
btrueblood; Polycarbonate! That would be outstanding. Lots of colors and clear.
I'm going to see if I can hunt up some 94-V0 polycarbonate.
John; I did not realize that. Even easier to machine.
Skogs; I'd forgotten about that option. I did exactly that in fire pump control design as you get the silkscreening for nearly nothing. I'm just not sure the customer will go for PCB green, or Bizarre Yellow, white, Dull Black, Sad Red, or Obvious Blue. I'd be nice to use the board for the circuitry but thru-hole parts will be involved.. Hmmm, need to think about this..
Ah mcgyvr The Stickler. :) Just the UL94-V0. Touch-capacitive. Not a membrane key-> domy guaranteed-to-fail-in-the-near-future-in-a-most-annoying-way switch.
Tiz good, another who thinks poly might work.
jraef; Definitely not a "smart button". This is a heating appliance that just needs to be touch-on, touch-off.
It now appears I need to include an idiot er, excuse me, an indicator light, that shows the system is on or off. So, that may dictate I need material that light can pass thru, ie ABS may be a problem. I wonder If I could route down to say 10mil thick and light would pass thru the ABS.. That also probably slams using FR4 for the faceplate. :/
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
Polyethylene terephthalate might be worth a look - platic bottles are frequently made of this material. It's mechanically tough but not sure about machinability - probably ok with sharp tools. Good chemical resistance but might be awkward to bond to.
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
I had actually meant to ask whether or not this was a "button" area of a touch screen, or a stand-alone button. Poor wording, sorry.
The reason I was asking is because these are brand new Piezo (very light touch) operated buttons, with or without a lighted ring, and the surface can have standard or custom engravings on them.
http://ab.rockwellautomation.com/push-buttons/spec...
Unfortunately there is no on-line image of a custom engraved front yet, but if you are interested I can have one of the guys in San Jose get you a sample.
"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals" -- Booker T. Washington
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
I've seen these! Aren't they billed as "vandal 'resistant'"?
Piezo. I had no idea. I thought they were capacitive. Nice.
NEMA 4? Or IP66?
This could work. I do have a hideous depth allowance of only about 3/4" which this switch might exceed..
Thanks.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals" -- Booker T. Washington
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
Thanks jraef - might have a few uses for those on site where I want a switch which is "operator proof".
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
Seems to be a contradiction in terms, but I know what you mean! I had tried the capacitive switches in a few applications where Fred and Barney Flinstone were still employed (does that reference still hold up?). The operators had difficulty discerning the difference between pushing a button and smashing a button "with extreme prejudice". But the capacitive switches were problematic for gloved fingers / fists / broom handles. These piezos seem to be holding up better. Not for lack of effort to kill them of course, it seems to become a game with some operators. I saw a hammer in the drawer at one operator station last month, it has me worried.
Those that you found look nice too. No UL listing on them so we would have a hard time using the here though. Suspiciously however, they look uncannily like the others... As in maybe AB paid to have them UL listed and therefore has exclusive rights to them here? It's been known to happen.
"You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you had to overcome to reach your goals" -- Booker T. Washington
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
http://nameplatesforindustry.com/
http://www.ssi-electronics.com/
I've been happy with both their products.
Z
RE: Faceplate suggestions.
Thanks for these two links. Nothing they have works in this particular case but I've wondered about both these suppliers.
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com