ÿþ <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/26_July_2011/header_newsletter_July.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>2011 Front Panel Express Survey of Finishes</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/26_July_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">Front Panel Express would like to take this opportunity to thank those customers who responded to our recent Survey of Finishes. We are grateful for the continued support, helpful feedback and suggestions. </td> </tr> </tbody></table></P> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify"> This month, our newsletter will reflect on some of the information we gained in the survey, specific feedback, and our plans for utilizing this feedback. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Powder-Coating</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> One of our goals in hosting the survey was to gauge our customers' opinion on our new powder-coated materials. We were very pleased to find that most of our customers are  extremely satisfied . Our customers expressed satisfaction with the process, and were happy with the ability to provide special requests. As time progresses, Front Panel Express continues to develop and perfect the powder-coating process, so suggestions and feedback are encouraged. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Other Finishes</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> In addition to powder-coating, we solicited opinions on our other finishes, which were also rated very highly. Anodized aluminum, our most popular material, rated the highest with 100% positive ratings. Raw aluminum, however, received a lower rating, which is to be expected considering its natural tendencies to scratch and flaw. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>What do customers want Front Panel Express to offer next?</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> The answers to this question were overwhelming. There is no denying it, our customers want <b>metal bending, post-milling anodizing and printing</b>. The good news is, we are working on all of these services. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>More Materials, Colors, Sizes and Fonts</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> We received quite a few requests to offer more or different materials, colors, sizes and / or fonts within <i>Front Panel Designer</i>. It is simply neither cost efficient, nor possible, for us to stock every possible material, color, size or font that our customers may want. However, upon request, we do offer solutions for customers who require further customization of their front panel. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify"><b><i>Materials and Colors</i></b> &nbsp;&nbsp; At Front Panel Express, we realize that individual customers have individual needs when it comes to materials and colors. We do not want to limit our customers' options. So for this reason, we offer customers the opportunity to supply their own material for us to mill, known as <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/products/materials-and-finishes/customer-material/index.html ""target="_blank"><b>Customer Provided Material</b></a></b>.</P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify"><b><i>Sizes and Thicknesses</i></b> &nbsp;&nbsp; It used to be that our software permitted material thicknesses up to 4mm, anything thicker than that required approval. With the introduction of <i>Front Panel Designer version 4.1</i>, materials up to 10mm were made available in some aluminum finishes and all powder-coated aluminum. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify"><b><i>Fonts</i></b> &nbsp;&nbsp; While adding more fonts to our software is another  in the works project, we currently offer an alternative solution to the need for different fonts through the use of <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;" href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/pdf/tips_tricks/HPGL.pdf ""target="_blank"><b>HPGL imports</b></a></b>. With this method, users can create text in a separate program, such as CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator, then convert the file to an HPGL file, and import it directly into their panel design. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Alternatives to HPGL Imports</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> We received a few requests for alternatives to HPGL Imports, or the ability to import different file formats. While it is not our intention to complicate the panel design process, one must understand the milling process of engraving. Whether engraving text or a logo, the engraving tool needs a path to follow, which requires a vector graphic. Importing a bitmap file, such as a .jpeg format, does not provide the appropriate milling path for engravings. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify">On a positive note, we are in the process of implementing  Digital Printing , which will alleviate many of the needs for graphics or text that are not easily achieved using engravings. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>Color Variance Issues </b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> A few customers raised concern for the variance of color from one order to the next. This was very concerning to us, and we have improved this area drastically through new agreements with our suppliers. Not only did we secure an agreement to have only the highest quality aluminum shipped to us, but we have tightened the range of tolerance, so color will be more consistent overall. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify">There were many other suggestions provided during the survey. While there are too many to list here, we assure you that we will take each comment and suggestion into careful consideration. </P> </font> <font size="2" face="arial"><P ALIGN="justify"> Overall, we are again very pleased with the response from this Survey of Finishes and with the feedback provided by our valued customers. We always welcome feedback and suggestions. Should you have any, please call us toll-free at (800) FPE-9060 or e-mail <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;"href="mailto:info@frontpanelexpress.com"><b>info@frontpanelexpress.com</b></a></P> </font> <br/> <br/> <font size="3" face="arial" color="#323378"><br><b><i>July Announcements</i></font></b></br> <font size="2" face="arial"color="#27a2d0"><P ALIGN="justify"><b>New Toll-Free Number</b><br/></font><font size="2" face="arial"> We now have a toll-free number! Call us at (800) FPE-9060. We look forward to hearing from you! </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? E-mail 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>SUESI </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>courtesy of Jonathan Souders<br> Scripps Institution of Oceanography<br/> <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/26_July_2011/SUESI.png"target="_blank"><img height="150" border="0" width="200" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/26_July_2011/SUESI_Small.png" alt="SUESI" title="SUESI"/></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> This month, our Project of the Month comes from Scripps Institution of Oceanography's Marine Electromagnetic Laboratory. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black>The Marine EM laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography pioneers new technologies for exploring the crust and mantle underneath the oceans using marine electro- magnetism. Research areas include marine controlled-source electromagnetic sounding (CSEM, also known as sea-bed logging, SBL and R3M) and the marine magnetotelluric method (MT or MMT). </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black>One key instrument in this research is Scripps Underwater Electromagnetic Source Instrument, otherwise known as SUESI, developed by the team at the Marine Electromagnetic Laboratory. SUESI is a deep- towed electric field transmitter used to broadcast a controlled electromagnetic (EM) energy signal through the subsurface and back to an array of seafloor receivers. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><br><center><a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/26_July_2011/SUESI_Panel.png"target="_blank"><img height="190" border="0" width="200" src="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/email/26_July_2011/SUESI_Panel_Small.png" alt="SUESI Programming Box" title="SUESI Programming Box"/></a></center> </td></tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black>Jonathan Souders enlisted the help of Front Panel Express to provide the control panel for SUESI's Programming and Communication Box. This anodized aluminum panel fits snugly into a sturdy Pelican case providing a rugged housing for use at sea. <br><br> </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black><i>My first experience with Front Panel Express was great. Not only is the design software easy and capable, but it was nice to know that if I needed it, there was someone available at the end of a phone line. The finished panel was perfect and I look forward to using them again in the future.</i> </font></td> </tr> <tr><td>&nbsp;</td></tr> <tr> <td><font size="2" face="arial" color=black>For more information on this exciting technology visit <a style="color: rgb(50, 51, 120); text-decoration: none;" href="http://marineemlab.ucsd.edu/""target="_blank"><b>http://marineemlab.ucsd.edu/</b></a></b>. </font></td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td>&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" width="200" style="text-align: justify; font-family: arial;"> <tbody> <tr> </tr> <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 (800) FPE-9060 - 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_June_2011">www.frontpanelexpress.com</a> - info@frontpanelexpress.com</font></td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="9">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>