Apollo Panels

[random crystal]

Work in progress developing backlit Apollo panels....

[void torrent]

beautiful!! Is the material clear to start and then painted?

[wraith python]

What machine was used?

(I know a laser cutter, I mean specifically)

[random crystal]

Specifically I used an omtech K40+

UK seller, comes with warranty and air assist etc really good for small ish panels

[random crystal]

No it's just white to start with, then the backplate is opaque, and the mid layer is semi translucent

This one's just a demo, I'm more than likely going to give it away in exchange for some help with Arduino integration with re entry..

[sudden spruce]

That’s so cool just beautiful man wish I had one of those maybe someday

[void torrent]

So it’s multiple layers of acrylics?

[north dune]

ASPL taking notes I see lol

having an Apollo simpit would be extremely cool, but I can’t afford either it or the hours I’d spend there haha

When I actually have desk space for a DSKY I might order one, we’ll see

[random crystal]

Yes 3 separate layers, I normally bond the top two together with dichloromethane, then they screw onto the back plate (which holds all the switches)

Hehe

[low lion]

👌

[void torrent]

awsome

[sudden spruce]

The amount of patience you have is amazing also tons of skill makes me want to get learning

[random crystal]

Think I'll tackle the two warning light panels next

Also where do you buy the replica DSKY from? I can't be arsed to make one

[wraith python]

https://discord.com/channels/510845247404769331/1217672755927978095

[random crystal]

Here are the project files if anyone ever wants a go themselves

[remote hound]

Very nice work! 🔥 In Lego form, I've also recreated an interactive Command Module Master Alarm Panel and SCE to AUX . Released instructions last November.

I'm close to releasing an even larger section of the MDC in the next few weeks. Finalizing the instructions and decals.

[sudden spruce]

Oh I’m down for that I’m excited to see what’s in store

[random crystal]

That's awesome dude

[remote hound]

Thank you! Yours as well!

[steep cove]

Gave +1 flight-hours to @random crystal (current: #163 - 1)

[remote hound]

Just released my next panel section! https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-216744/DadBricks/nasa-apollo-13-command-module-interactive-main-display-console-with-dsky-included-55th-anniversary/

[wraith python]

This is gorgeous!

Is it just me or are the KEY REL and RESTART lights on the DSKY covered up?

[remote hound]

Correct, those 2 can be difficult to see from certain angles due to the joining of 2 large Lego "windows".

[wraith python]

Ah yeah thats what I thought

[remote hound]

By the way, thank you for helping figure out the DSKY values at insertion a few weeks ago with @muted cairn! I used the values written in the flight checklists doc for R1 and R2. I decided to go with the mission transcript altitude for R3.

[steep cove]

Gave +1 flight-hours to @wraith python (current: #4 - 139)

[wraith python]

Oh sure! Haha I had forgotten about that 🙂

[random crystal]

I wanna buy this haha

After a month of procrastinating I finally had a go finishing this panel off

[plush hare]

Awesome!

[sudden spruce]

@jolly nymph idk if you’ve seen this yet but I know you want to build a sim pit yourself

[jolly nymph]

Mine will be real metal and real switches.

[sudden spruce]

Are the switches not real enough for ya lol they look real to me just not a exact replica of the Apollo ones

[low lion]

👌 😍

[random crystal]

These are real switches

Just not sealed Honeywell ones as they're like £50 each!

[random crystal]

I recommend acrylic for the backlighting panels which drop into a metal frame tbh

All the switches, master caution, rotary fully functional

[jolly nymph]

Yep, I know. I've got a contractor for metal. However your skills in 3D printing may be very useful for switch caps. We will probably start with all metal, but areas which get used frequently may be switched for plastic to keep cost of maintenance down. For example, the SCS switches on panel 1.

Especially at the start when the switches are very stiff.

However, those switches you have now would be great for Gemini 😂

And the spring loaded is exactly what we need.

In 15 years when I start building the cockpit I'll hit you up for more details.

[random crystal]

Ahhh I see, yeah the only reason I use acrylic front plates is so I can backlight them that nice Apollo blue colour, not sure how else to do it tbh

[random crystal]

Yes! Gemini would be cool too ey, maybe you should have one of each!

[jolly nymph]

Funny thing is Apollo didn't even have blue lights 😂

[random crystal]

Just the backlighting?

[jolly nymph]

Nope

None.

Backlights are actually white.

[random crystal]

That's the colour it is in re entry sim?

[jolly nymph]

The reason Apollo 13 movie selected blue was because it was easier to see and film with the cameras at the time and the fact that they were in ZG during filming. The white light can be hard to film due to motion blurr.

[random crystal]

Very interesting

I've done white like this before, is that more accurate

[jolly nymph]

Yep

I think it's a little more white because it's not bulbs but electroluminescent. But that is good for sure.

[random crystal]

Ah cool, any ideas why it's blue ish in re-entry?

Tbf I don't know that much about Apollo, fixed wing is mostly what I do

[jolly nymph]

It probably drew inspiration from Apollo 13.

At the time NASSP didn't have any integral lighting. So it was probably assumed to be okay.

But I like the look of the blue.

Only thing is that white stays sharp from across the cockpit whereas blue gets fuzzy with distance.

[random crystal]

Well I'm very interested to see how you get on, let me know if there's something I can help with, I bet it's gonna be awesome in there

[jolly nymph]

You probably encounter that phenomenon with blue led number displays and haven't actually realized it.

[random crystal]

The bit I'm truly dreading is the FDAI

[sudden spruce]

Good luck with that I feel the EMS scroll will be hard as well because unless you go digital you can only use it once

[random crystal]

Digital will probably be the way then, problem for future me lol

Next up with this will be one of the master caution/ event annunciator panels

[jolly nymph]

Luckily My husband has plenty of scroll charts

just flip one on its side and it's done!

xD

[sudden spruce]

😂😂

[sudden spruce]

Yeah probably unless you use a LED behind the scroll then digital is best

[jolly nymph]

Well, I will let you know in 15 years xD. But I could definitely use some of your skills in making prototype panels like this one and prototype switch and knob covers for when the metal work gets done but I don't have the actual switch and knob covers yet.

[plush hare]

Yeah the blue light just got stuck when I was playing with it, but I plan to expose a setting that will let you select the more realistic white light.

[low lion]

Cool, is your panel 1:1 scaled?

[random crystal]

Very cool! Tbf I prefer the blue it feels more spaceshipy

[random crystal]

The main obstacle at the minute is just interfacing an Arduino to the switches, the other sims I've done use this through a plugin like mobiflight or something LUA based like air manager it would be great to get this working with re entry

[random crystal]

Hmmm approximately yes, I trace around the original Apollo schematics and then scale it up using a known measurement (ie the switch diameter being 12mm), so this should be 1:1

[low lion]

Nice!

[remote hound]

Really amazing work! 💯

[ember oriole]

btw @random crystal if you need any help getting software to interact with Reentry, just ping me

[random crystal]

Perfect I will DM thanks!

[steep cove]

Gave +1 flight-hours to @ember oriole (current: #1 - 538)