ÿþ <p><font size="2" face="arial, helvetica">Trouble viewing this email? <a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Newsletter_January_2011_Web.html"> Click here!</a></font></p> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="765" bgcolor="#daeaf1"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="9"><img height="160" border="0" width="765" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/header_newsletter_january.png" alt="Front Panel Express Newsletter" title="" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="400" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="200" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="400" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="400"> <tbody> <tr> <td colspan="2" style="font-size: 20px; color: rgb(50, 51, 120); font-family: arial;"><b>Front Panel Express&nbsp;&nbsp;<font size="3" face="arial" color="#323378"><br><i>Milling Panels from Material You Provide: <br/>&nbsp;&nbsp;What to know before submitting an order</i></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="125" valign="top"><img height="114" border="0" width="125" align="left" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/FrontPanelDesigner4_0.jpg" alt="Front Panel Designer" title="Front Panel Designer" /></td> <td width="280" valign="top"><font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify">In addition to customizing finished panels provided by customers (Customer Provided Material), Front Panel Express will also cut a panel or shape out of a sheet of material provided by the customer. There are a few guidelines and limitations. So, in January's newsletter, we will answer some of the frequently asked questions that we receive, that should be answered before submitting an order for a panel milled from a customer's material. </td> </tr> </tbody></table></P> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>What materials will you accept for customization and cutout?</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> Just like customer provided material, we will cut from sheets of most non-ferrous materials. These materials include, but are not limited to, aluminum, brass, copper, and plastics. We can also work with powder-coated and painted material, and machine bent enclosure parts. Our machines are not equipped to accommodate ferrous material, such as stainless steel. If you are unsure about your material, please email us at <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;"href="mailto:info@frontpanelexpress.com"><b>info@frontpanelexpress.com</b></a> or call (206)768-0602. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Will you locate custom material for me?</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> Yes! If there is a specific material you would like to use, but are not sure where to find it, we will do our best to locate the material and have it delivered to us for milling. Please note, this process will impact the manufacturing lead time, as we will not order custom material until your order has been placed. For further questions, or to have Front Panel Express locate your custom material, email <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;"href="mailto:info@frontpanelexpress.com"><b>info@frontpanelexpress.com</b></a> or call (206)768-0602. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>How much material do I need to provide?</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> In order to properly clamp the sheet material to our machines for cutting, a <b>minimum of 13 millimeters</b> between the cutout and edge of the material is required on all sides. For example, if your finished panel will be 100 x 60 millimeters, the sheet of material will need to be a minimum of 126 x 86 millimeters. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify"><i>Note: When submitting an order that involves work on the back side of the panel, an additional 30 millimeters is required on one side for maintaining a consistent point of origin on both sides of the material.</i></P> </font> <center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Special_Material_Cutout.png"target="_blank"><img height="272" border="0" width="400" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Special_Material_Cutout.png" alt="13mm cushion on all sides of cutout" title="Cutting from Special Material"/></a></center> </br> <font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify">It is possible to produce multiple designs from a single sheet of material, provided there is at least 13 millimeters between each design. </b></a></P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>How does this affect my price? And why is the price in <i>Front Panel Designer</i> different from the price in my order confirmation?</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> Milling from material that you provide is increasing in demand, so we have not yet dedicated programming time to integrating this process into our software. Therefore, we must manually adjust the price to properly reflect the work ordered. Below, we will explain how the final price found in the order confirmation is figured, step by step. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify">First of all, when designing your custom panel, you will need to select  Use Customer Provided Material within Panel Properties in <i>Front Panel Designer</i>. This will remove any material cost, but raise the  Preparing and Finishing Charge . The increase in this charge is applied for the extra time for clamping a finished panel to our machines, and obtaining the origin for milling. When using our stock material, this charge is lower since there is less work involved in preparing our own material for milling and clamping it into the machines. This is how the price of your panel will be reflected in <i>Front Panel Designer's</i> price calculation. </P> </font> <center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Price_Calculation_pre.png"target="_blank"><img height="334" border="0" width="400" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Price_Calculation_pre.png" alt="Customer Provided Material Price Calculation" title="Customer Provided Material Price Calculation"/></a></center> </br> <font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify">However, when  Customer Provided Material is selected, <i>Front Panel Designer</i> assumes that the provided material is already cut to the desired dimensions. Therefore, no time is allotted for cutting out the exterior shape, deburring and breaking edges. Also, the process of locating the point of origin is unnecessary, so there should be no charge for that. </b></a></P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify">Consequently, we will uncheck the  Use Customer Provided Material box in Panel Properties, which will then force <i>Front Panel Designer</i> to apply the perimeter cut, and charge likewise. From that price, we deduct the price of the material. To obtain a more accurate price calculation, we suggest that once your panel is designed and you are ready to submit your order, go back to Panel Properties and uncheck "Use Customer Provided Material", then deduct the price of material. However, remember to re-check "Use Customer Provided Material" before submitting the order. </b></a></P> </font> <center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Price_Calculation_final.png"target="_blank"><img height="345" border="0" width="400" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Price_Calculation_final.png" alt="Final Price Calculation" title="Final Price Calculation"/></a></center> </br> <font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify">In the end, you are charged for the panel design objects and the exterior cut. The  Preparing and Finishing fee is lowered, and the material cost is removed. </b></a></P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial" color=black><P ALIGN="justify">If you have any further questions, or would like an exact quote before placing your order, please email your .fpd file to us at <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;"href="mailto:info@frontpanelexpress.com"><b>info@frontpanelexpress.com</b></a>, or call (206)768-0602. </b></a></P> </font> <br/> <br/> <font size="3" face="arial" color="#323378"><br><b><i>January Announcements</i></font></b></br> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Customer Referral Program</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> We have found that many of our customers come to us by way of referral, and would like to thank those customers who share their Front Panel Express experience with others. Now, when you place an order with Front Panel Express, you will receive a Customer Referral Card with a custom discount code to share with your friends and colleagues. When your referral completes their first order, we will then email you a discount code good for 20% off your next order. </P></font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Facebook</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> You can now find <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.facebook.com/frontpanelexpress""target="_blank"><b>Front Panel Express</b></a></b> on Facebook, where you will find the latest news, tips and product releases. Become a fan now to find Facebook exclusive discount codes. </P></font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Requests and Suggestions</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial" color=black> Do you have a suggestion for a future newsletter topic, a project you'd like us to consider for Project of the Month, or want to share about your experience with Front Panel Express? Email it to us at <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;"href="mailto:support@frontpanelexpress.com"><b>support@frontpanelexpress.com</b></a>. </P> </font><br /><br /><br /> <br /> </td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="200" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff"> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <P ALIGN="right"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/frontpanelexpress"target="_blank"><img height="30" border="0" width="95" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/14_July/FacebookBadge.gif" alt="Front Panel Express" title="Front Panel Express"/></a></P><br/> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="200" style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="200" align="left"><img height="3" border="0" width="200" align="left" alt="" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/2/ruler.jpg" style="float: left;" /></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="200" align="left" style="margin: 0pt; font-size: 18px; color: rgb(50, 51, 120); font-family: arial; text-align: right; padding-top: 5px;"><b>Project of the month:</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="200" align="right" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; font-size: 15px; color: rgb(50, 51, 120); font-family: arial; text-align: right;"><b>Pyrotechnics Control Box</b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="200" align="right" style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(50, 51, 120); font-family: arial; text-align: right;"><b><i>Extreme Pyrotechnics LLC<br/> Mark Hensell<br/><font color="#323378" face="arial" size="2"></i></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/POTM-Pyro_Control_Box.jpg"target="_blank"><img height="150" border="0" width="200" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/POTM-Pyro_Control_Box.jpg" alt="Extreme Pyrotechnics" title="Extreme Pyrotechnics - Pyrotechnics Control Box"/></a></center> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="200" style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"> <tbody> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black>Our January Project of the Month allows us to start the New Year off with a bang! <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.extremepyro.net/""target="_blank"><b>Extreme Pyrotechnics LLC</b></a></b> is known to put on some of the most fascinating pyrotechnics shows across the nation. And recently, we were honored to manufacture the panel for their Pyrotechnics Control Box, which helps make these shows possible. The boxes provide a peripheral interface between the computer firing system hardware and the the electric matches that ignite the fireworks. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black>Basically, if you've ever sat and watched a fireworks display and wondered how they get the fireworks to go along with the music...well, these are the guys that figure it out, and these are the tools use to do it. Each of the 32 pairs of connectors in the box are programmed to fire precisely when the software tells it to. A typical display calls for anywhere from 20 to 60 control boxes...for one show! That's a lot of fireworks! </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/BSA_Jamboree.jpg"target="_blank"><img height="133" border="0" width="200" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/BSA_Jamboree.jpg" alt="Project of the month" title="BSA 100th Anniversary Jamboree event near Fort AP Hill in Virginia"/></a></center> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black><i>This was my first experience dealing with the folks at Front Panel Express. Their staff was very knowledgeable and eager to lend their expertise in matters of design and production alternatives. The finished product is flawless  not to mention made in the good ole' USA! I look forward to providing Paul many more headaches in the coming years! Thanks, everyone! </i> </font></td> </tr> <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black><i> - Mark Hensell </i> </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr><td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black> We've said it before, but its always a treat to see how our panels are put to use after they leave our facility. And knowing that our panels are playing a part in putting a smile on the faces of children and adults alike, makes it worth the extra work we put into our customers' designs. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Extreme_Fireworks_Show.jpg"target="_blank"><img height="133" border="0" width="200" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/20_January_2011/Extreme_Fireworks_Show_small.jpg" alt="Extreme Fireworks Display" title="Extreme Fireworks Display"/></a></center> </td></tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr><td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black> To learn more about Extreme Pyrotechnics, and their upcoming shows in your area, please visit <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;"href=" http://www.extremepyro.net""target="_blank"><b>www.extremepyro.net</b></a>.</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" wi<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="70"> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <tr> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="400" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="200" valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="30" bgcolor="#ffffff">&nbsp;</td> <td width="15">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="center" colspan="9"><br /> <font size="2" face="arial color=black, helvetica">Front Panel Express - 5959 Corson Avenue South, Suite I - Seattle, WA 98108<br /> Phone (206) 768-0602 - Fax (206) 768-0679 - <a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com?&amp;utm_source=FrontPanelExpressNewsletter&amp;utm_medium=Email&amp;utm_content=Link&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter_January_2011">www.frontpanelexpress.com</a> - info@frontpanelexpress.com</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>