Press Switches and Labeling

[Michaelp]

Dont have the switches yet but iam searching and looking for ways to label them too.These switches will be used on a plc system.
Ideally will be press/push 4 gang or more and if there is a light background option would be nice.
I have use some touch switches but find them not so reliable.If you touch it 100 time it will work 95times due to human error not touching the correct way or sometimes hands are wet or dirty.
My concern is not to just stick a label on the switches and look like a casual work but rather look polished and professional.Any ideas would help.

 

[Sintra]

Get them engraved.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Engraved metal plates

Try Hamilton litestat , see loads of their accessories on posh jobs

Bespoke Design

Custom made media plates and hotel product items specified to the highest standards. Bespoke service in design and production from start to finish.

www.hamilton-litestat.com

 

[Michaelp]

Good idea, thanks. I checked if there is something i can buy to do it by myself but the money and the knowledge to buy 1 of those machines are prohibitive.
Best to send them the switches for engraving.

 

[davesparks]

I use Apem A01 series pushbutton switches for this sort of thing and get a printed/engraved panel made to mount them in.

 

[Michaelp]

Do you have any pictures Dave?

 

[freddo]

Get your own engraving machine and you can do it yourself. Much more permanent and professional looking.

 

[westward10]

Have you done those freddo and if so what with.

 

[freddo]

Yes I did them with a cheap Chinese 3040 type CNC milling machine, controlled with Mach3. I use StickFont V2 as it's really fast and simple for text, and Vectric Cut2D Desktop for cutting out shapes, again as it's easy to use for someone like me with no CAD/CAM skills. Photo attached of the grid plate in progress.


Edit, these machines are highly hackable and I have made a number of changes, it now has a higher power spindle, I also modified the controller so the emergency stop button stops the spindle as well as the stepper motors.

 

[Michaelp]

freddo,
The results looks professional and you have that setup with just few hundred pounds.
If you will do it again will you go for a laser engraver instead of the milling ?

 

[freddo]

freddo,
If you will do it again will you go for a laser engraver instead of the milling ?

I don't know, how well does laser engraving work on these types of materials? Milling and Traffolyte go well together.

I would have liked an electronic Gravograph but even second hand they cost thousands.

 

[westward10]

It's a pretty slick job freddo.