Labeling a Chassis
 

I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets
forming. I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label
a project chassis.

73's
Harry
W0PIY

On Sat, 17 Jan 2004 03:29:09 GMT, Harry Williams hath writ:
I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets forming.

I've had success with air pockets by using a thin sewing needle
to prick the center of the air pocket and then press the material
against the background from the outer edges of the air pocket in --
towards the prick.

The smearing problem _might_ be solved by apply a second layer of
film over the first. Probably more pin pricking there, too....

HTH
Jonesy
--
| Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | OS/2
| Gunnison, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | linux __
| 7,703' -- 2,345m | config.com | DM68mn SK

I've printed onto overhead transparency material (large enough to
cover the whole panel), with the printing reversed, so you're looking
at it through the plastic film. That protects the printing. You need
to find a suitable adhesive (there are some sprays that work OK), and
getting it down without bubbles I guess is just an art. You can put
some thin rods under it to space it up, and start at an edge and
remove the rods one by one as you work across the panel. It's a
technique like people who apply veneer or laminate use.

A different ink-different brand of printer-(or even better, laser
printed) might solve your smearing problem if you want to keep using
adhesive labels.

It's distinctly more hassle, but you can make a very nice looking
panel by getting it anodized and photoengraving the lettering into it.
The difficulty these days is locating the photoresist. I've made
several thousand panels that way, but have been out of that business
for over twenty years.

Cheers,
Tom

"Harry Williams" wrote in message ...
I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets
forming. I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label
a project chassis.

73's
Harry
W0PIY

Here are some sources for Decal Transfer Paper -- the sources were listed in
the most recent edition of "Hints and Kinks"
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/768-5000
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/768-5020
http://www.beldecal.com/inkjet_decals.cfm
http://www.beldecal.com/laser_paper.html

"Harry Williams" wrote in message
...
I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used
Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent
labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets
forming. I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label
a project chassis.

73's
Harry
W0PIY

"Harry Williams" wrote in message
...
I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used
Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent
labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets
forming. I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label
a project chassis.

73's
Harry
W0PIY


Take a look at Letraset dry transfer lettering. www.letraset.com A really
good specialist stationery shop should have it - or try asking at
signwriting firms.

73
Roger ZR3RC

In article , "Roger Conroy" wrote:

"Harry Williams" wrote in message
...
I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used
Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent
labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets
forming. I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label
a project chassis.

73's
Harry
W0PIY


Take a look at Letraset dry transfer lettering. www.letraset.com A really
good specialist stationery shop should have it - or try asking at
signwriting firms.

73
Roger ZR3RC



I used the decal materials available from Micro-Mark (micromark.com)
with good results. When using these I found is was important to
*read* the directions, *follow* the directions, and be patient. It took
two tries, but when I was finished I had an extremely professional-
looking panel.

BTW, I followed up with 3-4 thin coats of clear, flat Krylon spraypaint.

HTH,

Steve

In article , "Harry Williams"
writes:

I am working on a project and need to label a chassis. I have used Microsoft
Visio to create a template for the front
and rear of the chassis. I then printed those images on transparent labels.
They look nice but I have two problems.
First if the ink gets damp at all it smears and second its difficult to
apply the label to the chassis without air pockets
forming. I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label
a project chassis.

I'm not sure what your "transparent labels" are but if they are anything
like decals, I can suggest a way to keept the ink from smearing.

Use a DULL spray fixative available in art stores, possibly the
Michael's chain. Do a "dust coat" (very light spray) on the chassis
and the labels before putting them on. Once they are on the
chassis, overspray again. You might want to finish with a gloss
transparent lacquer.

Too heavy an initial spraying will result in the spray solvent reacting
with the labels and ink. That's why I suggest Fixative...designed
not to react with common art media...if used sparingly. Blair
used to make such Fixative under the trade name "SprayFix."

I've done that for years with art work and with printed plastic cards
that go in the wallet. On chassis, I've done that on aluminum
surfaces that were Alodined or Iridited or chemical-film treated,
then printed directly on the dull lacquer surface with a K&E "Leroy"
lettering pen using some stiff celluloid to hold the lettering guide
and stylus over holes. Ordinary "India Ink" in the K&E pen. In that
case the chassis surface can be sprayed to hold the lettering intact.
That also works with decals of the old kind which are really a
lacquer film base with printing on the lacquer film.

Len Anderson
retired (from regular hours) electronic engineer person

Anyone try laser etching?

We have the capability at work but I have not tried it. We use it
mostly to mark tools.

Tracy

In article ,
says...
I would like to hear from someone that has done this kind of work
and find out whats the best way to label a project chassis.

Harry W0PIY

I have an Epson Printer with the ability to print on CD-ROM's. This
ability can be (ab)used to print directly on any flat surface including
the aluminium front panel for projects. The result is excellent.

Markus
--
Markus Baertschi Phone: ++41 (21) 807 1677
Bas du Rossé 14b Fax : ++41 (21) 807 1678
CH-1163, Etoy Email:
Switzerland Homepage: www.markus.org

Markus Baertschi wrote:

I have an Epson Printer with the ability to print on CD-ROM's. This
ability can be (ab)used to print directly on any flat surface including
the aluminium front panel for projects. The result is excellent.

Have you heard about the new CDROM burner that uses special blank
CDROMs that you flip over after you burn the data, then the laser burns
the label into the top coating of the new type CDROMs? I think it is a
H-P design that is due to hit the market in the next couple months.

--
We now return you to our normally scheduled programming.

Take a look at this little cutie! ;-)
http://home.earthlink.net/~mike.terrell/photos.html

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida