Hey guys for the past few days I have been designing a custom gauge cluster face (because the stock one is kinda ugly) in a CAD program and I wanted to know what you all thought of it. Also I have no idea how to get something like this manufactured so input on that would be helpful as well. As I said in the title this is VERY much a work in progress and far from finished but regardless here are the pictures

 

looks CRAZY.
I will reserve judgment for when you're farther along.

 

What will the slanted portion w/numbers be made of? That has bearing on how hard to machine it is...if aluminum or any metal, good luck. If it's acetal, HDPE, or some other more typical plastic, then some shops can probably laser cut it.

If I were to do it, I'd use Lexan, plexiglass, or something of the like, paint it black, then laser those numbers and dividing lines straight through it. Once it's backlit, light should only come through where the laser penetrated through. Still though, as any affordable laser will be a 3-axis setup, you'd have to load the projection of those numbers onto a horizontal plane for whatever filetype you're giving to the laser. All in all it's not impossible but not easy either.

 

I should have explained it better my idea is to have the part be constructed as 2 pieces. The top piece (the slanted portion with the numbers) and the bottom (just the gauge cutout). Also it should only need to be a 2 axis machine because the numbers are created on a flat surface and pocketed directly downward. Both parts would be made out of plastic black if possible but I could paint it if I have to. It will be illuminated by leds in a hollowed portion below the top area (anywhere you see green will be illuminated by leds).

 

Holy shiet your Z can now do 1000MPH!!

 

Yeah you'll want something that's transparent or at least translucent...go have a shop laser a piece of Lexan for you, then paint the top of it black and you'll have your numbered portion. And while you have it at the shop have them also cut your gauge needle. You can make the gauge base part out of just about anything, but make sure you can stick Lexan to it. Acetal, teflon, or any semi-inert material wouldn't be a good choice.

EDIT: The beauty with Lexan is 1 or 2 LEDs might be luminous enough to carry throughout the whole piece. If you really want a solid black plastic, the lighting becomes more difficult but not impossible.

 

i think the Z has one of the best gauge clusters out there. i love the tach in the middle and the colors are great