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Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 7:50 am
by YPF
Customer has given me a 600mm x 600mm x 7mm acrylic panel that has been painted on the reverse. He wants the panel back lit to highlight the painting. The panel came with some cheap stand offs (chromed plastic painted grey) that go through a much small diameter hole than other stand offs I have seen (from Lion, for example). So I will have to find something to cover the holes in the panel.

We agreed a narrow, deep profile aluminium frame, hoping that this will allow a lighting system to be fitted between the acrylic and whatever backing I use.

My greatest concern is being able to provide enough light across the surface of the panel without causing any hotspots of light. Advice from an LED supplier would be to use 4 x 500mm lines of LEDs equally spaced with a diffuser over each line, cost for this was nearing 3 figures. I have also looked a the possibility of a ready made light panel (with diffuser) but not sure of their depth yet.

Has anybody done this sort of thing before and able to offer some advice?

Many thanks.

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 9:23 am
by Abacus
I did a stained glass window and the structure went like this:

Backing panel made of mirrored acrylic
Led strips fixed on their side to furniture blocks glued to the mirror
Space (about 40mm)
An acrylic panel covered with diffused vinyl
The stained glass window


Looked the business, with no hot or cold spots

I'm about to do 10 light boxes for a customer done the same way, obviously without the stained glass!

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 9:33 am
by YPF
Abacus - that sounds like it could a less expensive option than those I have found so far. Would you mind if I gave you a ring?

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 10:32 am
by grahamdown
I recently did one for an artist who supplied a panel 600 x 600 which are designed as emergency ceiling lighting panels - gave very even light with no hotspots and is dimable but cost approaching £100. don't have the info to hand but could ask her if you are interested.

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 11:11 am
by Abacus
I'm not in the shop until Monday, but feel free to ring then 01422882074

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 11:53 am
by YPF
Grahamdown - yes please, would like to know the details.

Many thanks

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 5:18 pm
by pichousepreston
Was just about to post the same question. I have someone wanting a variety of sizes framing with internal lighting (could be up to 1200 mm square)
Can anyone recommend a supplier of the led strips please?
Thanks

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Thu 24 Apr, 2014 9:13 pm
by Abacus
There's loads of them on ebay such as

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3528-5050-5M- ... 1099485290

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Fri 25 Apr, 2014 6:31 pm
by pichousepreston
Had spotted this, thanks. This may sound stupid, but are the lights (or can they be) battery powered?

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Sat 26 Apr, 2014 9:32 am
by Abacus
The ones I use are 240v using a control unit.

Re: Back lit acrylit panel

Posted: Sun 27 Apr, 2014 12:54 pm
by theframer
I am very interested in offering this has anybody got some photos,
Thanks
Dave