Marking Systems, Inc.
Dead front overlays
are designed so the symbols or
graphics are not readily visible unless the
graphics/symbols are lit up with a light
source. Your car dashboard is probably
the most common application for dead
front overlays. The main concept is to only
illuminate the graphics or symbols you
want the customer to see at any one time. For instance you only see the seatbelt indicator light if you are not wearing your seat-belt. MSI has the "In House"
capability to produce the most demanding dead front overlays. The picture
above is an example for the aerospace industry.
The manufacturing process of Dead Front Overlays
Printing dead front overlays can be complicated. On the overlay above,
MSI printed eight passes of ink in order to achieve the proper level of
opacity and create the graphic elements. With a 6-color carousel screen
printing press, MSI prints the completed part in two passes rather than
each color being printed one at a time.
Cutting is the next critical process and MSI has numerous choices. Our
Zund digital cutter (for prototype/short production runs) uses camera
registration to ensure the graphics are placed over the light source within
+-.010 tolerances. This method is preferred for prototype runs.
Production runs are processed on our Preco die cutting line that also has
camera registration ensuring +-.010 tolerances.
Backlit Overlays
The backlighting of graphic overlays can create a dramatic visual effect,
especially in low-light environments like an airplane cockpit.
Traditional back-lighting utilizes incandescent or LED lights behind the
graphic overlay. Often these light sources are assembled on a PCB or
attached to a sub panel.
When the light source is off, the panel/graphic overlay looks like a
regular overlay with some graphic elements hidden.
When the light source is on, the hidden graphics are revealed, providing
07/08/13
Standard Products
Graphic Overlay
Nameplates
Roll Labels
Insulators/Die cutting
Membrane Switches
Rapid Label
Prototyping
Polyurethane
Doming/3 Domes
Digital Printing and
Cutting
Capacitive Touch
Interfaces
UL/CSA Labels
Specialty Products
Metallic overlay
Dead Front
Embossing
Thick lenses
Large Digital
Rubber Keypads
Label Sets
Kitting
ITAR
specific information.
Whether it is dead front or backlit overlays, adhesive issues, color
matching or tight tolerance cutting, let the Label Experts at MSI help your
engineering team. We are experts at finding cost effective solutions for
our customers.
Hope this helps with your next Nameplate project!
For additional information please:
Visit our Newly Redesigned website
at: http://www.markingsystems.com
Call your MSI sales representative
Reply to this email
Call Karol @ 972.475.0770 Ext. 112
STAY CONNECTED WITH M SI
Sincerely,
Ashley Klamer
Marking Systems, Inc.
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