I have used, with great success, free software called Front Panel Designer available from
http://www.schaeffer-ag.de/en
Its aimed at front panels for rack mounted PCs and equipment but you can basically design anything and they make it and post it to you with a pack of gummi bears (a lot of German companies do this for some reason?)
I used the software to design an insert for the original instrument cluster for my Golf. The indicator and warning light strip is a separate item.
Also another insert for some switches and the DTA comms plug to go in the dash.
Materials are available in different thicknesses and finishes. You draw the outline yourself and add holes (including tapped) and things like threaded studs. Then the software calculates the cost. Really cool.
Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
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- Location: London, UK
Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
AWD Golf 2.5T
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Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
Is there some sort of dropdown menu for switch shapes etc ?
What's it made from ? Looks quite tidy.
What's it made from ? Looks quite tidy.
- ignitionautosport
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Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
Very cool.
| '94 GSR Lancer | '96 Toyota Carib 20V | '83 Toyota Starlet | www.ignitionautosport.co.nz |
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Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
The switches in this case were just clearance holes. They should have been D shaped so I had to be careful to align them whilst tightening to stop them from rotating.stevieturbo wrote:Is there some sort of dropdown menu for switch shapes etc ?
What's it made from ? Looks quite tidy.
The hole for the 9-way D-sub was pre-installed in the software though.
You can import outlines in DXF format. I found a neat way to do this; buy a cheap licence for MS Visio on eBay (<£15) and from there you can export drawings in DXF!
The material in those panels was 2mm black anodised ally. I think they do steel too.
I made a spacer for my clutch master cylinder in 10mm ally and that came out well.
AWD Golf 2.5T
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Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
The text engraving is done by them too and they in-fill with white paint. Looks amazing up close and its very clear to read in low light.ignitionautosport wrote:Very cool.
AWD Golf 2.5T
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Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
Rough pricing ?
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- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:54 am
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Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
Dirt cheap in my opinion.
I have the invoices in the loft - I'll check what it was and let you know.
I have the invoices in the loft - I'll check what it was and let you know.
AWD Golf 2.5T
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- Posts: 33
- Joined: Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:54 am
- ECU Model: S100 Pro
- Distributor: Direct
- Firmware Version: 73.01
- Location: London, UK
Re: Custom dashboard inserts for gauges or switches
The insert for the tacho and speedo was 35 Euro and the insert for the switches was 29 Euro.
You have to add DHL shipping (7 Euro to UK) and 19% tax on to that also.
The bulk of the cost is clearly in the material, since the smaller insert had way more machining.
The software calculates the cost as you go along so you can exactly what each machining instruction costs.
You have to add DHL shipping (7 Euro to UK) and 19% tax on to that also.
The bulk of the cost is clearly in the material, since the smaller insert had way more machining.
The software calculates the cost as you go along so you can exactly what each machining instruction costs.
AWD Golf 2.5T