The 1602 LCD is a widely used character display module. But, as with many displays using in hobbyist projects of for one-off or prototype products, it can look a little “untidy” with mounted in a panel or in a project box.
As with many (f not most) displays, there are two challenges with mounting these displays:
- Cutting a perfect mounting window in a box or panel is not easy, especially when cutting the hole manually. You often end up with an uneven, raggedy hole.
- Mounting screws are using required, unless the display is mounted from the rear.
Of course, we sell great-looking mounting bezels for 1602 LCD displays. But what do you do when you have already mounted the display without a bezel?
The solution to this problem might be a “1602 Fascia”. This is not a full bezel – rather it is a adhesive surround that fits around an existing 1602 LCD. This fascia will hide both an untidy cut-out and the screw heads.
Simply, this fascia is attached to the front of the box/panel using adhesive or the adhesive strips we include. It is quick and easy to use and is low cost.
There are a couple of points that should be considered when using this fascia:
- The fascia is designed for a flat surface. So, if you have used protruding screw heads that sit above the surface of the bezel’s or panel’s front face, then those fixings will have to be replaced with flush (e.g. countersunk) screws so that the heads are flush or below the front face.
- The fascia is about 2mm thick. To bring the 1602 LCD’s front glass to be flush with the front of the fascia, you might prefer to modify the displays spacing mounts so that the display protrudes by about 2mm before applying the fascia. This is not strictly necessary because in fact, a slightly recessed display also looks pretty good!
- If you need access to the display’s front screw heads, then you should consider using the adhesive strips we provide rather than permanently bonding the fascia with glue or bonding agent.
So, although these are some factors to consider when using the 1602 fascia, the 1602 Fascia can be a simple method for giving your exiting projects a more “professional” appearance, and a bit of an uplift!