Aluminium PCB as front panel

[MrStab]

hi guys,

hope you're all well! Following some stuff that i dun gone read on the EEVBlog forum, i've decided to get some front panels made by a PCB fab and see how it goes. Some fabs do aluminium PCBs, which would be ideal. There are reports of them not having the cleanest or sharpest finish, but maybe i can treat them with some clear coat or something.

i'm just wondering a coupla things: have any of you guys tried something similar? also, why can't i find Chinese services offering panels, but loads offering PCBs? surely it's mostly, if not all, the same CNC and drilling equipment used? just a demand thing, maybe. ONE panel from a European supplier would cost me what i'd get at least 20 PCB's for, and would be up to a third of what my EQ pedals sell for.

one reason for all this is that i want to use board-mounted slide switches, but because i have ASD with a hint of comorbid dyspraxia, i have no hope of consistently making 3 rectangular holes per pedal. the other is that my current paint + Envirotex process is too stressful given my current circumstances.

keen to hear some input on this.

cheers!

-g

[PRR]

PCBs and panels are not the same thing, or process.

Front Panel Express is one panel specialist and they can do what you describe.
http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/front_panel_designer/screenshots/

[amz-fx]

PCBs and panels are not the same thing, or process.

But it can be an inexpensive way to get precision faceplates made for pedals by using pcb materials. Here is an example of one:

https://www.pedalpcb.com/product/dmd2-faceplate/

Best regards, Jack

[vigilante397]

Doesn't Madbean use copperclad for pedal panels sometimes?

[Kevin Mitchell]

PCBs and panels are not the same thing, or process.

I've seen many folks in the DIY synth world get their panels made with the circuit boards. The panels are usually just a blank PCB with colored solder mask and silk screen.

Haven't heard of aluminum though. Maybe tin plated text?

-KM

[Govmnt_Lacky]

I have used copper clad thin PCB materials for faceplates quite a few times. Etch it out, throw on some lacquer, and you are ready to go!

I have also tried Liquid Tin to change the copper to a silver color. It looks good but, you run the risk of particulates getting in there and making it look bad. Need ot use gloves and ensure the copper clad and associated materials are very, very clean.

[bean]

Doesn't Madbean use copperclad for pedal panels sometimes?

I've done them on home etched boards many times. I've been getting into having them manufactured lately. Here's one I did with some surface mount LEDs:

[MrStab]

wow, crazy amount of experience of this that i wasn't expecting. nice! cool to see yours, Brian!

taking the copper/etching, the solder mask, and the PCB material itself out of the equation, isn't much of the routing and drilling similar to PCB fabrication? i have no clue. i realise there'd be different standards set by the panel companies, above all, and much of the PCB route is dependent on niche options offered by some fab houses.

would you say the lacquer is fairly essential then, Guv? i've seen that mentioned elsewhere. i'm used to applying thicker coats of Rustoleum Clear, to help prevent water spots under decals, but i'd imagine in this case i'd need to go light (to get things flush with the enclosure by avoiding drops of clear on the underside). Would a small blob of some kinda adhesive be advisable, if there's a reasonably wide distance between fasteners?

i'm thinking 1mm aluminium or thereabouts, because the Hammond enclosures are about 2mm thick and i only have 5mm of threads on my pots. hopefully won't be too bendy.

cheers!