F-16 ICP Button Test

 The ideas of this test is for the followings.

  1. The suitability of 3D printed parts.
  2. No back lighting.... because I am using this in VR. I certainly tested about 20 to 30 different ways of how not to make a backlight panel about 10 years ago. I can make a real realistic panel, but not for this.
  3. Test the tolerance values I put in.
  4. test the fit of the parts when assembled... most importantly, whether the very thin stainless steel dome switches are going to slip through the crack and get out of position.



 I am still missing the PCB and the 4x analog dials... I am considering putting Hall Effect sensors on them. Which sensor I put on would determine the PCB layout, and the cutout I needed for the devices.

I am using a dome switch that has an activation force of about 1.29 kgf, which gives a very satisfying click, but still far short of the real thing... 

Anyway, the test is a resounding success..... the buttons, and dome switches rattle when I shake the whole assembly. But stay in place. I will probably laser engrave them in the end, even though it's completely unnecessary.






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