Matronics Email Lists Forum Index Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
 
 Get Email Distribution Too!Get Email Distribution Too!    FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

How to lay out your panel (partial instructions)

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
kkinney



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 42

PostPosted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 7:22 pm    Post subject: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions) Reply with quote

Here's the procedure I've used for laying out my panel.

1. Create actual sized templates of all your instruments.
2. Create a brown paper mock-up of your panel.
3. Move the templates around on the paper until you get a good idea of where you like the instruments.
4. Tape your paper mock-up on your actual panel and practice reaching for instruments and switches. You'll probably want to tweak things a bit
5. Make a .016" mockup of your panel. Use a center punch to transfer the corner relief holes & screws of your templates to the aluminum mock-up.
6. Cut out the mock-up templates and fit your instruments to it. At this point, you may want to do a comprehensive bench test of your equipment. Your harness wires can also be cut to length now. (Instrument wires should be left to length until you get them into the actual cockpit.)
7. When you're comfortable with how things look, securely tape the .016" mock-up to your actual panel. The mockup should be left in place while cutting so that you do not accidentally scar the surface of your actual panel.
8. Cut a few of the larger parts out of your panel and discover your EFIS doesn't fit the cutout. However the map box fits perfectly in front of the pilot.
9. Discover you taped the .016" template backward.
10. Use colorful language until red in the face and hoarse in the throat.
11. Type up your method.

As soon as I discover how to fix this, I'll add to the instructions. I'm thinking either moving the EFIS 3/4" to the left or creating a subpanel. That is once I stop using colorful language....

Regards,
kk

--
Non-Parent - I don't see how you can raise children & stay sane.
Parent - You don't. You pick one and go with it.


- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
TxDave



Joined: 22 Jul 2006
Posts: 168
Location: Temple, TX

PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 1:00 am    Post subject: Re: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions) Reply with quote

You were doing so well right up 'til...
Thanks for the great advice, Kevin.

do not archive

Dave Clay
Temple, TX
skinning my right wing
http://www.daves601xl.com


- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
brothapig(at)HOTMAIL.COM
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 6:16 am    Post subject: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions) Reply with quote

What, you can't use a map box right in front of you?? Ok, I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll figure something out.

Just to add to your list.

I found pictures of my possible instruments and gauges on the internet, then used a picture program to print them out actual size.
I made an actual size panel out of poster board and put it on my wall, then taped my instruments on that.
I'm only finished with the tail, and starting on the wings, so I'll have plenty of time to stare at my "instrument panel" and see how I like it.


> Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:20:52 -0500
Quote:
From: kkinney(at)fuse.net
To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com
Subject: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions)

--> Zenith-List message posted by: Kevin Kinney <kkinney(at)fuse.net>


Here's the procedure I've used for laying out my panel.

1. Create actual sized templates of all your instruments.
2. Create a brown paper mock-up of your panel.
3. Move the templates around on the paper until you get a good idea of where you like the instruments.
4. Tape your paper mock-up on your actual panel and practice reaching for instruments and switches. You'll probably want to tweak things a bit
5. Make a .016" mockup of your panel. Use a center punch to transfer the corner relief holes & screws of your templates to the aluminum mock-up.
6. Cut out the mock-up templates and fit your instruments to it. At this point, you may want to do a comprehensive bench test of your equipment. Your harness wires can also be cut to length now. (Instrument wires should be left to length until you get them into the actual cockpit.)
7. When you're comfortable with how things look, securely tape the .016" mock-up to your actual panel. The mockup should be left in place while cutting so that you do not accidentally scar the surface of your actual panel.
8. Cut a few of the larger parts out of your panel and discover your EFIS doesn't fit the cutout. However the map box fits perfectly in front of the pilot.
9. Discover you taped the .016" template backward.
10. Use colorful language until red in the face and hoarse in the throat.
11. Type up your method.

As soon as I discover how to fix this, I'll add to the instructions. I'm thinking either moving the EFIS 3/4" to the left or creating a subpanel. That is once I stop using colorful language....

Regards,
kk

--
Non-Parent - I don't see how you can raise children & stay sane.
Parent - You don't. You pick one and go with it======================




[quote][b]


- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List
Back to top
Gig Giacona



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1416
Location: El Dorado Arkansas USA

PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:25 am    Post subject: Re: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions) Reply with quote

The only thing missing from the above is to sit in the aircraft with cushions of some type in place and strap yourself in and make sure you can reach what needs to be reached in flight.

- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

_________________
W.R. "Gig" Giacona
601XL Under Construction
See my progress at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 7:29 am    Post subject: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions) Reply with quote

I have designed the layout of my instrument panel on AutoCAD. I know I have been through 20 or 30 iterations. Even after I decided on what instruments I would have and basically where they would go, I still find it necessary to be constantly tweeking it.

I have made a full size print-out and taped it to the panel to test the ergonomics.

I am about 75% complete with construction, but not completely done with the wiring diagram, so I am confident that I will still need to make a few changes. Just hope they are not major ones.

I will probably wind up spending more time on planning than on construction by about 10 times. I am advising that you'd BETTER believe in evolution!(at least when it comes to instrument panels) This process also brings to mind the old saw among structural engineers that it is much better to use a pencil eraser than a cutting torch.

Having delirious fun! Jay in Dallas
Do not archive
Ryan Vechinski <brothapig(at)HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

Quote:
What, you can't use a map box right in front of you?? Ok, I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll figure something out.

Just to add to your list.

I found pictures of my possible instruments and gauges on the internet, then used a picture program to print them out actual size.
I made an actual size panel out of poster board and put it on my wall, then taped my instruments on that.
I'm only finished with the tail, and starting on the wings, so I'll have plenty of time to stare at my "instrument panel" and see how I like it.

> Date: Mon, 15 Jan 2007 22:20:52 -0500> From: kkinney(at)fuse.net> To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com> Subject: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions)> >



- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List
Back to top
dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest





PostPosted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:03 am    Post subject: How to lay out your panel (partial instructions) Reply with quote

I used some scrap .016"aluminum to make templates that are the size of the largest part of each instrument..... either the face plate or the chasis of the instrument, whichever is bigger...... and allowed space for esthetics and air circulation between instruments as I moved them around the panel. I drew the profiles and center holes on with Sharpie. Then I'd remember something that I had left out or didn't need to be there etc. I'm curently on the third version of Sharpie drawings and I'm not about to cut the panel yet.

I have however made a doubler out of .050 that fits behind the panel (as the pilot views it). The doubler includes the bottom flange but not the edge or top flanges. The factory supplied panel just seemd too flimsy to me. If I find that the doubler is overkill, I can cut as many lightening holes in it as I see fit later when the instruments are installed and wired. It may be a long long time before I rivet the panel in place.

Ed Moody II
Rayne, LA
601XL/Jabiru/flap linkage


- The Matronics Zenith-List Email Forum -
 

Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:

http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List
Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group