Client Overview
Diamond Light Source, operating at the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus, approached Evans Graphics with a unique prototyping request.
This UK-based client, specialising in science and physics, required a dead front fascia panel. The panel needed to remain opaque and black under normal conditions but reveal specific annotations when illuminated from behind, indicating a particular machine state.
Project Requirements
The client specified that the fascia panel should:
- Appear as a solid black panel under normal conditions.
- Reveal hidden annotations only when reverse illuminated.
- Meet exacting dimensions and material specifications.
Artwork and Design
Evans Graphics provided comprehensive artwork services according to the client's brief. This involved:
- Creating the design for the dead front fascia panel.
- Ensuring that the hidden annotations would be clear and legible when illuminated.
Prototyping Process
The majority of the project time was dedicated to mixing inks to achieve the desired visual effects both when the panel was unlit and when it was backlit. The actual screen printing process was relatively quick, given the small quantity required.
Technical Specifications:
- Component Size: 290 x 158mm
- Material: 250um Matt Velvet Polycarbonate
- Colours Used:
- Black (dead front)
- Black and Translucent Red (for illuminated state)
- Process: Screen printing
- Proofing: Utilised a client-supplied light rig to ensure accurate testing and results.
- Finish: Final size cut using a digital knife plotter.
Challenges and Solutions
One of the key challenges was achieving the precise balance of ink opacity and translucency to ensure the panel appeared solid black when unlit but revealed the hidden message clearly when backlit.
Through extensive testing and the mixing of inks, Evans Graphics successfully met this requirement.
Outcome
The prototype was successfully developed and met all client specifications. The final product demonstrated the ability to appear as a solid black panel under normal conditions and reveal the required annotations when reverse illuminated.
The client was highly satisfied with the quality and functionality of the fascia panel, highlighting the success of the prototyping process.
Conclusion
This project underscores Evans Graphics' capability in delivering highly specialised prototyping services. By combining expert artwork services, precise ink mixing, and advanced screen printing techniques, Evans Graphics was able to meet the unique needs of Diamond Light Source, providing a prototype that functioned exactly as required.
