Author Topic: Translucent Microswitch Buttons www.fxbuttons.com (Read 93371 times)

pointdablame · « **Reply #200 on:** March 21, 2005, 09:54:41 am »

aww man

I had such high hopes

tetsujin · « **Reply #201 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:03:30 am »

They're just saying the bezel doesn't light up properly?

I wouldn't expect it to, due to the shape of the microswitch buttons... Who cares? (I guess they think we do...)

whammoed · « **Reply #202 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:13:45 am »

You can get a normal pushbutton to light up, I'm sure you can get whatever they have made to light up as well. Perhaps they are just trying to find an excuse to back out of the arrangement.

Kremmit · « **Reply #203 on:** March 21, 2005, 12:41:59 pm »

I wonder how bright their test lamp was. I'll bet 3-4 superbrights would get some action.

Chris · « **Reply #204 on:** March 21, 2005, 12:50:37 pm »

3-4 superbrights will probably light up a standard Happs black button!

Kremmit · « **Reply #205 on:** March 21, 2005, 12:53:41 pm »

Quote from: Chris on March 21, 2005, 12:50:37 pm

3-4 superbrights will probably light up a standard Happs black button!

My point exactly. You pump enough candlepower inside, you can light up a beercan!

Chris · « **Reply #206 on:** March 21, 2005, 12:59:17 pm »

Putting 3-4 superbrights in, though, is a less than optimal solution. There's only so much space one can mount an LED in there...

Patent Doc · « **Reply #207 on:** March 21, 2005, 01:00:02 pm »

Quote

Perhaps they are just trying to find an excuse to back out of the arrangement.

The skeptic in me agrees, but for a different reason.

Chris · « **Reply #208 on:** March 21, 2005, 01:01:10 pm »

Quote from: Patent Doc on March 21, 2005, 01:00:02 pm

Quote
Perhaps they are just trying to find an excuse to back out of the arrangement.

The skeptic in me agrees, but for a different reason.

jlml · « **Reply #209 on:** March 21, 2005, 01:22:42 pm »

Purple, please (and I don't mean pink!)

Quote from: shawnzilla on August 26, 2004, 08:39:31 am

Hey All,

I'm working with a manufacturer on custom translucent microswitch buttons (with a concave top).

pointdablame · « **Reply #210 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:20:37 pm »

Quote from: jlml on March 21, 2005, 01:22:42 pm

Purple, please (and I don't mean pink!)

Quote from: shawnzilla on August 26, 2004, 08:39:31 am
Hey All,

I'm working with a manufacturer on custom translucent microswitch buttons (with a concave top). In order to get prices, I need to be specific in terms of color & quantity.

So...
1) How many people would be interested in these buttons?

2) What colors would you like to see?

For me personally, I love the dark blue of the old translucent leaf switch buttons.

Anyway, If enough ppl are interested, I will place an order with the manufacturer.

good job reading the thread

RayB · « **Reply #211 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:36:14 pm »

Yeah why are they talking about the bezel? No one cares if the bezel lights up or not.

Sounds like you guys had a bit of miscommunication in the translations from english to spanish.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #212 on:** March 21, 2005, 02:40:20 pm »

Quote from: shawnzilla on March 21, 2005, 08:05:28 am

I'm really very sorry guys, here is the email that I received from IL. As I said to everyone, they were running test samples for me.

"Dear Mr. Muller,

Our R&D dept. has made many different test and mixed different materials and colours to get the most similar PUSH BUTTONS with traslucent bezel as per your samples.

Unfortunatelly, although the buttons look fine when they are not illuminated, when fitting a led inside/besides the bezel, the light does not pass through properly enough and the button does not get illuminated correctly.
The surface of the shank is not as much polished as the samples you have sent us. I tried it to light the bezels up, but the light doesn't go through I'm afraid.

We regret to inform you that we will not be able to help you with this matter.
Please let us know if we can help you with some other products of our product range.

I have sent him a response, requesting to actually see the samples so that I can make that determination myself. We'll see, but I think this might be a dead end road.

Hmm, I smell BS. Surely they'd send you some samples first before unilaterally deciding it can't be done. Sounds like they're having cold feet.

cholin · « **Reply #213 on:** March 21, 2005, 03:18:19 pm »

Lets just see how this plays out...they're probably getting the wrong idea, and even so, when shawn gets the samples, hell make the decision. A few pictures oughta straighten things up.

RandyT · « **Reply #214 on:** March 21, 2005, 04:19:03 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on March 21, 2005, 02:40:20 pm

Hmm, I smell BS. Surely they'd send you some samples first before unilaterally deciding it can't be done. Sounds like they're having cold feet.

I tend to agree. I get the feeling that someone promised something they were ill-equipped to deliver, or perhaps envisioned something other than what shawnzilla sent them.

We'll know for sure if they are unwilling to send the samples, or they "were unfortunately discarded or destroyed when it was decided that it couldn't be done"

Too bad in any event....

RandyT

Buddabing · « **Reply #215 on:** March 21, 2005, 05:44:36 pm »

Quote from: shawnzilla on March 21, 2005, 08:05:28 am

I'm really very sorry guys, here is the email that I received from IL. As I said to everyone, they were running test samples for me.

"Dear Mr. Muller,

Our R&D dept. has made many different test and mixed different materials and colours to get the most similar PUSH BUTTONS with traslucent bezel as per your samples.

Unfortunatelly, although the buttons look fine when they are not illuminated, when fitting a led inside/besides the bezel, the light does not pass through properly enough and the button does not get illuminated correctly.
The surface of the shank is not as much polished as the samples you have sent us. I tried it to light the bezels up, but the light doesn't go through I'm afraid.

NIVO · « **Reply #216 on:** March 21, 2005, 06:48:24 pm »

"Our R&D dept. has made many different test and mixed different materials and colours to get the most similar PUSH BUTTONS with traslucent bezel as per your samples."

Does anyone else get the impression that only the bezel area was made translucent and not the actual button itself? Now that would indicate why it didnt light properly(obviously we all know we can light the solid colored button as it has been done). Sounds funky, im getting the impression the bezel was transparent and not the button and therefore why they deemed it not possible or satisfactory. I'd love to see one for clarification as well. Hope you atleast get to see some samples Shawn, if you had to pay for a engineering run you are definitely entitled to the goods produced, working or not.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #217 on:** March 21, 2005, 08:38:27 pm »

I've sent a second email imploring them for some samples. I basically told them that I should be the one to make the decision on ordering a production run or not.

pointdablame · « **Reply #218 on:** March 21, 2005, 08:56:53 pm »

Quote from: shawnzilla on March 21, 2005, 08:38:27 pm

I've sent a second email imploring them for some samples. I basically told them that I should be the one to make the decision on ordering a production run or not.

Good man, I would do the same if I were you. If they balk at that, I'd say that's a good sign that something is up.

cholin · « **Reply #219 on:** March 21, 2005, 10:06:10 pm »

Thats why I said keep your hopes up...because they may have thought of different things that need to be lighted, whereas we only care about the top (although it would make a cool glow if the inside did too). Well see how it all goes I guess..............better hurry.....Im gonna start buying soon!

quarterback · « **Reply #220 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:03:21 pm »

Quote from: NIVO on March 21, 2005, 06:48:24 pm

"Our R&D dept. has made many different test and mixed different materials and colours to get the most similar PUSH BUTTONS with traslucent bezel as per your samples."

Does anyone else get the impression that only the bezel area was made translucent and not the actual button itself?

My thoughts exactly.

Although they also say "the button does not get illuminated correctly"

I guess my question is, what exactly did you send to them shawnzilla? They say they're trying to make it as similar as possible to your samples. What 'samples' did you send them? If you sent them a light-up-translucent-button then they should know what you're looking for.

Did you send them a translucent button? A translucent bezel? Was there an LED or bulb involved?

shawnzilla · « **Reply #221 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:15:45 pm »

I sent them translucent leaf switch buttons...as color samples only, not design samples. The company rep and I were very clear about what I was looking for.

Quote from: quarterback on March 21, 2005, 11:03:21 pm

Quote from: NIVO on March 21, 2005, 06:48:24 pm
"Our R&D dept. has made many different test and mixed different materials and colours to get the most similar PUSH BUTTONS with traslucent bezel as per your samples."

Does anyone else get the impression that only the bezel area was made translucent and not the actual button itself?

My thoughts exactly.

Although they also say "the button does not get illuminated correctly"

I guess my question is, what exactly did you send to them shawnzilla? They say they're trying to make it as similar as possible to your samples. What 'samples' did you send them? If you sent them a light-up-translucent-button then they should know what you're looking for.

Did you send them a translucent button? A translucent bezel? Was there an LED or bulb involved?

cholin · « **Reply #222 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:25:23 pm »

So that means were all screwed over on the button situation...we were getting our hopes up for the "error"...guess we get Happs buttons now!

(Click my ads)

shawnzilla · « **Reply #223 on:** March 22, 2005, 08:10:55 am »

Looks like I've gotten us a temporary stay of execution! They emailed me back this morning. First of all, they only made a bezel to test the color and not the plunger (he said that they stopped after he couldn't get them to light properly). So...he has asked the injection department to make the plunger and assemble a few complete samples for me. The samples are going to be blue, but it should give me a good feel for the translucency.

While not a total victory yet, it was a major step forward. I also pointed out that people are able to successfully light their non-translucent buttons, so a translucent material, polished or not, should be no problem.

Keep your fingers crossed. Once I get them (and I have a feeling it'll be a little while yet), I'll post some lighted and non-lighted pics. I have some of those brighter-than-the-sun blue leds from modsthatglow.com, so it should give us a good indicator if they are lightable or not.

daywane · « **Reply #224 on:** March 22, 2005, 08:41:56 am »

cool... way to stick to it.

Grasshopper · « **Reply #225 on:** March 22, 2005, 02:43:37 pm »

That sounds more promising. I must learn to be less cynical.

I think you should keep it simple with IL. Just say you want their standard buttons but made with translucent plastic and with a hole drilled in the bottom for the LED.

In fact we could even drill out our own holes if that would help to keep the costs down.

RandyT · « **Reply #226 on:** March 22, 2005, 04:19:56 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on March 22, 2005, 02:43:37 pm

That sounds more promising. I must learn to be less cynical.

You're not being cynical, just realistic. If they thought it was so bad as to not even send it to a potential customer for him to look at (that is assuming they actually conducted the test to begin with) that doesn't exactly give one reason to be optimistic.

Quote

I think you should keep it simple with IL. Just say you want their standard buttons but made with translucent plastic and with a hole drilled in the bottom for the LED.

In fact we could even drill out our own holes if that would help to keep the costs down.

I think the hole drilling by the user will be a given (unless Shawn wants to do it.) Those kind of part features are usually "molded-in" and anything that requires machining will end up adding unecessarily to the cost of the parts.

But that's just been my experience. Shawn will have to give the real answer on that situation

RandyT

shawnzilla · « **Reply #227 on:** April 11, 2005, 07:33:10 pm »

The moment of truth has arrived! I received the samples today, and....they look fantastic!!! They only did samples in one color (blue), but I'm very pleased with the result.

Sorry, this is a teaser, but I've got to go show some houses to a client. I'll post pics later tonight.

cholin · « **Reply #228 on:** April 11, 2005, 07:43:51 pm »

AHH I NEED PICTURES! IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS! BLUE IS THE BEST. Light em up for us shawn

Buddabing · « **Reply #229 on:** April 11, 2005, 08:38:20 pm »

Quote from: shawnzilla on April 11, 2005, 07:33:10 pm

The moment of truth has arrived! I received the samples today, and....they look fantastic!!! They only did samples in one color (blue), but I'm very pleased with the result.

Sorry, this is a teaser, but I've got to go show some houses to a client. I'll post pics later tonight.

Ohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboyohboy!!11one

I think my project and yours will go together like peas and carrots!!!!

Post the pics!!!!!

oldsage · « **Reply #230 on:** April 11, 2005, 09:50:03 pm »

Oh man! just after i ordered my buttons! Oh well... Maybe I'll shell out some more for 'em, and the second project is about to start (although the first has just started, lol...)...

This is probably the first post i wanted someone to post while i write and for the "Warning someone has posted-blah blah blah..." to appear... But only if the post has pics!

EDIT: Damn! No post!

shawnzilla · « **Reply #231 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:06:29 pm »

Here a couple of pics...more coming

shawnzilla · « **Reply #232 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:07:02 pm »

a couple more

shawnzilla · « **Reply #233 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:07:32 pm »

last one

shawnzilla · « **Reply #234 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:10:33 pm »

So there you have it! As you can see in the pic (although the color looks a little different in real life) it is a deep blue. Looks fantastic unlit, and very nice lit up too! I did a quick & dirty lighting job with a 6 Led superbright blue lamp.

cholin · « **Reply #235 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:11:26 pm »

* cholin sniffles, "They're so beautiful"

Can you take some pics of how the LEDs get in there and stuff?

oldsage · « **Reply #236 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:11:41 pm »

OMG!!! OMFG!!! That is awesome!!! And it won't look too bad when not lighted either!!!

(we need a drooling smiley people!)
I'll be sure to squeeze some of these in my budget! I want pictures of all the colors!!!

Mannn! I've been waiting for these for so long!!!

cholin · « **Reply #237 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:12:40 pm »

Arent they great! How much are they as of now?

oldsage · « **Reply #238 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:14:54 pm »

Quote from: cholin on April 11, 2005, 10:12:40 pm

Arent they great!

shawnzilla · « **Reply #239 on:** April 11, 2005, 10:17:18 pm »

Quote from: cholin on April 11, 2005, 10:11:26 pm

* cholin sniffles, "They're so beautiful"

Can you take some pics of how the LEDs get in there and stuff?

I just lit this up really quick by taking off the microswitch and literally balancing the button on my 6 Led Superbright lamp. As far as lighting it in a practical sense. There are probably a couple of ways to go. 1) Drill a hole low on the shaft and put the led inside (kind of like lighting a leaf switch button) 2) Coming from underneath

My guess is that you wouldn't want the led going to far inside or up near the top, because: a) You'll go blind b) You don't want to see the led


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news

Author Topic: Translucent Microswitch Buttons **www.fxbuttons.com** (Read 93371 times)

Author Topic: Translucent Microswitch Buttons www.fxbuttons.com (Read 93371 times)