Turn Dial Design

[sathompson]

I need to create a simple, smooth turn dial, similar to what is on a microwave or an oven.
The dial must "click" or semi-sturdily "lock-in" every 15 degrees when turned.
Because of the nature of the machine that I am designing I can't go buy one, it will need to be custom made.
However instead of trying to reinvent a well researched and designed wheel I thought I would ask if there is a helpful tutorial, or piece-by-piece diagram out there that someone could point me toward.

Thanks,
SAT

 

[Jboggs]

If you are looking for an rotary electrical switch, its hard to believe that with the thousands of designs available you can't find one that will work for you. If you're looking for a detented mechanical knob a simple spring plunger riding on a cylindrical surface with grooves cut every 15 degrees will do the trick, and you can get spring plungers lots of places, like McMaster-Carr for example.