18 March 2014

Front Facia for Standby Instruments Panel





Getting there.
The MPCD, Jettison Station Select Panel and S/By Instrument Panel Facia are in place along with Master Arm Panel and Spin Recovery Panel and also the L/R Annunciators Bank, Master Caution/APU Fire and Engine Fire Buttons.
All LEDs and Buttons work as advertised.

Am finishing up the EFD as I write this post.

Next few weeks are planned to 'polish up' the Front Instrument Panel.

Oh, did I mention that I have decided to re-make the Left and Right Lower/Upper panels again. More on that later!


Multi Purpose Control Display (MPCD)

For the Left & Right DDIs (L/R-DDI), I had purchased the Thrustmaster MFD Panels. I could have purchased another set, and used one of them for the MPCD also. 

But, just for the heck of it, I decided to make one myself.











Since this picture, I added twenty push buttons and two rotary encoders with built-in push switches. I could have added two more rotaries, but made a conscious choice not to do so. I also added a 5mm perspex sheet as the back plate. 

To provide a realistic feel, each push button is also back lit with green LEDs.

The finished MPCD is now mounted on the Front Instrument Panel. Will post pictures in the coming blog posts.

Master Caution & Fire Warning Annunciators


Jettison Station Select Panel

Here's an update on the making of Jettison Station Select Panel/Landing Gear & Flaps Indicator Panel.

Over the last few weeks, had to go through quite a few iterations to find a design solution that I could 'rig up' at home. Finally settled on the one that works. Just about, but still. 

This panel was completed a few weeks back, but I wasn't able to break free to update the blog.


Taking the measurements
I have decided to work with 2mm MDF board for all my 'fine' detailing work.


Making the Buttons
Hacked a keyboard to pull out the buttons. They provide a nice tactile feel
Stuck up the buttons using "M-Seal" plastic sealant


Rear View of the button framework
The tactile micro-switches for each of the seven jettison stations

The 'Outer Casing' of the panel
The holes in the back plate accommodate the LEDs
In the final version, they were hot-glued into place.

Finished
For the time being
I broke it up and did it up all again
Many times
Wasn't happy with the feel of the button press in the initial iterations

I do not have independent pictures of the final version of the panel, since I mounted it to the dash, before I could take any more pictures.