Support Forum

I wish to provide a bezel to surround a keypad in order to display user instructions for function keys.

The bezel is 10.7 mm square with a cut out 8.2 mm square leaving a 1.25 mm surround to take about 3 mm square characters.

The smallest engraving tool is around 0.22 mm and this prevents me engraving such small characters.

Two solutions spring to mind being photo anodising or silk screen printing.

I can get these solutions as a post Express Front Panel manufacture however if you can provide such small markings, I would prefer having the total done by yourselves.

This is part of my Unikey product for which your panels have been very successful.

Comment would be most helpful.

Thanks

Docwat (Edinburgh, Scotland))

Posted By: docwat on Jan 06, 2014 05:09PM Category: Production

I have spent hours trying to create a simple aircraft instrument panel the top edge of which has a profile consisting of two arcs: one with a radius of about 120-150 inches in the center 2/3, merging with one on each end with a 8.5 in radius. When I make the large radius arc (using the curved slot tool), the center is at the bottom of the grid, and the arc is at the very top, and when I move the arc down, the panel rectangle moves all the way to the top of the grid field so I can no longer see the top of the panel. How can I move the arc without moving the panel? Or move the panel back near the center so I can work on it? Or is there some other way to do this? How do I specify the coordinates of the center of the arc.

Posted By: arcture on Dec 24, 2013 01:52AM Category: Front Panel Designer

I see that FPD allows for a hole with a 3/8" UNEF (3/8-32) thread to be cut into a panel. This is suitable for mounting potentiometers with no protruding threads or nut on the outside of the finished enclosure.

I often use C&K 7000-series miniature toggle switches. One mounting option for these switches has a 1/4-40 UNS thread (1/4", 40 thread per inch). I would like to be able to have a hole with a 1/4-40 UNS thread cut into a panel to allow the switch to be fitted with no external nut.

1/4-40 (and UNS for that matter) is not available as an option on the standard thread pull-down menus in the drill hole properties dialog box. However, I see that I can select "Manual thread parameters" and set diameter to 0.25" and the thread pitch to 0.025".

My question: Can a thread with this size and pitch be cut successfully by the milling process?

Posted By: desiato on Dec 18, 2013 06:45AM Category: Production

I would like to be able to export an image (bmp, jpg, etc.) of the panel. I would use this as a texture for my native CAD model so that it looks complete. Right now I use a screenshot or the windows snipping tool to acquire and save the image. Then I have to trim it. If we could export an image that is sized to the limits of the panel that would be excellent!

Posted By: JFleck on Dec 16, 2013 09:50PM Category: Whishes

After receiving a new computer, all my previously saved macros are not easily accessible. Currently, I still have access to my old computer so I will be able to find what I need. However, we have other people in the department that may want to access a shared custom macro library. Is there a way I can define a location for these macro objects to save?

Posted By: JFleck on Dec 16, 2013 07:55PM Category: Front Panel Designer

Is it possible to order panels by

simply supplying the .fpd? In other

words, without having to use the software

package?

-W

Posted By: wrobison on Dec 10, 2013 05:42PM Category: Ordering