Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

How to make Dynamark labels How do you make professional standard labels for your equipment? The answer is 3M Dynamark. Just about all the labels on the projects P,ublished in SILICON CHIP have Dynamark labels and in this article we tell you how to make them. By LEO SIMPSON Most of the Dynamark labels used on our prototype projects are black on aluminium sheet (0.12mm thick) or black on clear transparency. We generally use aluminium labels on metal boxes and the larger plastic instrument cases and the clear labels on the grey plastic zippy boxes. If we use a black plastic case, the clear labels are inappropriate so again, we use a black aluminium label. So if you have been reading the project articles in SILICON CHIP for some time, you will already know what Dynamark labels look like. If the labels are made from aluminium they will generally have silver lettering on a black background [that's the way we usually make them) or black letters on a silver background. And while we have not featured them in the magazine, Dynamark aluminium labels can also be obtained in red, blue or gold. Also available are Dynamark plastic labels in red/transparent, green/ transparent, black/transparent, blue/transparent, red/white, green/white, black/white, blue/ white, black/silver and black/ gold. The process To make Dynamark labels, you need an actual size artwork (negative) transparency, a source of ultraviolet light [such as a light box with UV fluorescent tubes), a sheet of Dynamark light sensitive material and a bottle of developing fluid. To make the label, all you need do is to expose the Dynamark sheet to ultraviolet light via the transparent artwork. This is usually done in a UV lightbox. The exposure time depends on the light source, the particular Dynamark material and the transparency of the artwork but is generally a few minutes. After exposure, the label material is developed with Dynamark 8500 developer to reproduce the artwork [in reverse). Sunlight In a pinch, you don't even need a UV light source to make Dynamark panels. If it's a bright sunny day, your UV light source comes free, with sunlight. You will need two pieces of plate glass though, to sandwich the transparent artwork and Dynamark sheet. Exposure can be a little trial and error, although we find that 10 to 12 minutes in bright sunlight is enough to expose aluminium labels (Dyn.amark 8003). Normally, though we use a conventional lightbox with UV tubes. Developing These are the main materials for making Dynamark labels: Letrachrome lintfree cotton pads, light sensitive sheets, a bottle of developing fluid and a plastic squeegee. 16 SILICON CHIP Developing the exposed label is a simple matter. Just lay it on a flat surface and pour a small quantity of Dynamark 8500 developer onto it. Spread it evenly over the surface and then after 10 seconds wipe off A light box with UV fluorescent tubes is used to expose the light sensitive sheet via the transparent artwork. This unit from Kalex comes fitted with a 3-range 0-12 minute timer. the exposed emulsion with a lint free cotton pad. By the way, Dynamark 8500 developer should be used in a well ventilated area as it can cause irritation to your nose and eyes. It is also flammable and so should not be used near sparks (welding or electric discharge) or while smoking. Protecting the label To preserve the finished label against scuffs and scratches, we spray it before applying it to the panel with Dynamark clear lacquer which dries in 10 minutes. It is available in matte (3930) or gloss finish (3900). You can also use Estapol Matte or Glossclear lacquer but it takes quite a long time to dry and it tends to pick up dirt while that is happening. For applications where the label is likely to be subject to a lot of dirt and wear, Dynama rk have clear laminating film (8019) which is 'applied to the label before it is affixed to the panel. Cutting to size For cutting and trimming plastic labels to size, you can use scissors, an X-Acto knife, sharp Stanley knife or a paper guillotine. Aluminium labels can be cut with heavy duty scissors, tin snips or a paper guillotine. Cut the edges in one straight action - jagged edges are almost impossible to fix. Fixing the label The label comes with its own pressure sensitive adhesive backing - just tear off the protective paper backing and apply to the panel. This must be done very carefully though, making sure that the label lines up exactly with the panel - once the adhesive grabs, that's it. If you try to pull it off to straighten it up, it will inevitably wrinkle the panel and you'll have to make a new one. Dynamark have a soft squeegee which helps you apply the label evenly and without trapped air bubbles. Reversing the artwork Dynamark is a photogra phic reversal process so that the reproduced label is a negative of the artwork. Since we normally have silver lettering on black with our aluminium panels, we use negative artwork to begin with. However, if you want to reverse that, Dynamark 8007 reversal film is the answer. It is exposed with UV light and developed with 8500 developer as with the label. When using an 8007 reversal transparency to expose a Dynamark label, you must follow the instructions regarding the emulsion side - it is placed next to the label, so that the shiny, non-emulsion side faces the UV light. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Other instructions Any other instructions? Yes there are a couple - cleanliness and care, at each stage. At all times, make sure that everything is clean. Both the artwork transparency and material to be exposed must be clean of dust and grease. So should the glass of the lightbox. If you do each step carefully, without charging into it, you can get a very good result - a professional looking panel. You need to be very careful when trimming the finished label to size and then when applying it to the panel. After a little practice though, it is a straightforward process which gives consistently good results. Acknowledgment Our thanks to Ken Laird of Kalex for his assistance in the prepa ration of this article. As well as being a supplier of all the Dynamark range of materials, Kalex can supply Riston printed circuit boa rd Step 4 Step 1: position positive or negative image of artwork (either transparent or translucent) over the Dynamark sheet. Step 2: expose to ultraviolet light. Step 3: apply developer. After 10 seconds, wipe off exposed emulsion with cotton pad. Step 4: trim and add protective coat. Peel adhesive liner, position, and press in place. materials plus a large light box and PCB etching tank. Kalex are at 40 Wallis Avenue, East Ivanhoe, Vic 3079. Phone (03) 497 3422. SEPTEMBER1990 17