Can cutouts, which are created by milling, also be sent?
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The cutout can also be sent, if required. Please make a note to this effect in the “Comments for production” section of the front panel properties. When considering the size of the cutout, however, the plunge path of the milling cutter with a width of approx. 10 mm should also be calculated (see picture), meaning that the cutouts are not suitable as e.g. drive shutters.

Can you also produce front panels with a thickness greater than 4 mm?
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Yes. There are, however, a few limitations:
- Available material: Raw or natural anodized aluminum in 5, 6, 8 and 10 mm thicknesses
- Usable tools: Not every thread can be tapped at any depth, and not every hole or every cutout is possible at any thickness.
For example, it is not possible to mill a corner radius of 0.5 mm with the 1 mm milling cutter on panels with a thickness of more than 4 mm.
If there are modifications from our side necessary, the front panel will be more expensive as calculated by Front Panel Designer. Therefore, we will send you the final price calculation for your approval before the order gets processed.
Is it possible to manufacture brass front panels?
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We can manufacture front panels on brass material provided by our customers. Please keep in mind that the surface of brass is softer than the surface of anodized aluminum. Therefore, it is possible that scratches may occur during manufacturing. Likewise, brass alloys vary and this can impact the crispness of engraved objects on brass material.
How can I create a cutout for a display window?
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In order to do this a so-called “rectangle in a rectangle” cavity will have to be milled into the front panel.The “rectangle in a rectangle” cavity is comparable with a frame around a cutout. Our Tip: allow the cavity to overlap the cutout or the acrylic panel edge a little. This ensures there will be no unattractive burr. An acrylic plate is milled as a “counterpart”.

More details are available in the demo file: cut-out.fpd

More details are available in the demo file: acrylic-display.fpd
How can corners be milled off cleanly?
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There are different possibilities. First of all, radii for each corner can be input in the panel properties (front panel properties dialog box). Secondly, it is possible to position a rectangular hole (or other objects) directly over the corner. In order to keep corners sharp-edged, the elements should overlap the panel by radius (see diagram).

Is it possible to apply a beveled edge on a panel?
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Yes. A 45 degree bevel can be applied to any panels outer edge or interior cutouts. 45 degree bevels can be applied up to a depth of 5mm. Any interior cutouts can have a 45 degree bevel applied at the full panel thickness. 45 degree bevels applied to the outer edge can be set to a depth 0.5mm short of the full panel thickness.
Bevels can be ordered by leaving a note in the 'Remark Box' of the panel properties (please specify depth). Before we process your order we will confirm additional charges.

Do you have enclosures?
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In order to create enclosures, we offer two different types of profiles:
Side Profile and Housing Profile
The side profiles form two complete sides of the housing and include grooves for inserting boards. The height of the housing is, however, fixed by the side profiles. The depth and width can be freely determined.
The housing profiles each form four edges of the housing. Thus, housings can be designed where all three dimensions can be freely chosen.
We offer a detailed description of how to design a housing with Front Panel Designer.
What are the dimensions of the housing/side profiles?
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You can find dimensioned drawings of the profiles here.
Can you also process steel?
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No, unfortunately not. Our machines are optimized for processing aluminum. Our high performance spindles cannot absorb the cutting force required for steel.
Can I send you a pre-fabricated panel for further processing?
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Yes, you certainly can. Please select the option “Use customer’s material” in the “Front Panel Properties” menu in the relevant .fpd file. The correct price will then be calculated.
Can I send you a drawing and you design it with Front Panel Designer?
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In cases you may not want to design your front panels or to convert existing drawings into Front Panel Designer format, we offer a design service.
Send us your CAD program file or your dimensioned drawing and we convert into manufacturable FPD files. We charge $80 per working hour for our design service.
Please provide following files and information if you send us your drawings:
- Recommended CAD program files: DXF and DWG
- Please specify the material and dimensions not only for different front panel features but also where required for engravings.