Support Forum
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Cavity Example
Hello,
I'm entirely new to FPE and had a tiny question. Could you please give me an example of a cavity?A pic would be nice.
I have an LCD(50*40)mm which I need to put in a FP. The only way to hold the LCD in place is to create a cavity on the reverse side of the FP. This allows it to stay in place. I still have to support it from the reverse side, but I can take care of that.
Will a cavity do such a thing?
Posted By: Gerry S on Jun 18, 2011 08:05PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Gerry,
Thank you for contacting us regarding cavities. Below is a photograph of a cavity placed on the front side of a panel with a rectangular hole placed in the middle, along with four through holes.
(Click to enlarge)
Let us know if we can provide any additional assistance.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Jun 22, 2011 11:10PM
ReplyThanks Paul, but the image link does not work. Must have expired.
Posted By: Gerry S on Jul 21, 2011 03:30AM
ReplyThanks Paul, but the image link does not work. Must have expired.
The link should be back in working order.
Patric
Posted By: P Neumann on Jul 27, 2011 12:48AM
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Option to break sharp edges
It would be a nice feature to add the option for breaking sharp edges on panels.
Some of the enclosures I have built, have caused some nasty cuts due to the razor sharp edges of the panels.
This option could be added under the material selection.
Currently the only way to do this is by verbal request.
Posted By: Terry Best on Jun 02, 2011 05:59PM Category: Whishes
Hello Terry,
Thank you for contacting us regarding our materials.
We are currently working to integrate such options into our software, but for now notes can be left in the Remarks for Production section of the front panel properties.
The services we offer to break edges are:
1. Sanded edges: This is $3 per panel, and the sanding process not only breaks the edges, but also removes the vertical lines and shininess from the edges.
2. 45 degree bevel: We can mill a 45 degree bevel around the perimeter of the front, back, or front and back of a panel. Pricing for this is calculated manually after order submission.
3. Round over: We can also round over the edges of a panel. This service is added and the costs applied after ordering.
If we can provide any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Jun 02, 2011 06:09PM
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Can you tap heatsinks?
I have some extruded heatsinks, to which I would like to screw-mount some transistors. Is your equipment capable of tapping one of these?
Posted By: Douglas Krause on May 19, 2011 02:02PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Douglas,
Thank you for contacting us regarding your inquiry.
We are absolutely able to tap those heatsinks.
You need only to make a drawing in our software with the exterior dimensions of the heatsink and marked to be milled from customer provided material that has the desired tapped holes.
Also be sure to remember to make the origin on the heatsink to ensure accuracy.
As always, let us know if you have any additional questions or concerns.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on May 19, 2011 06:42PM
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Registration marks on customer supplied panel
For a customer supplied panel, what is the preferred method of including some sort of registration mark on the designed panel to aid in checking the layout?
For example, I have a panel that already has screw holes. I'd like to include these in the panel layout so that when the page is printed I can use that to align the printout with the panel to make sure things are lining up. But this is not a set of holes to be drilled when the panel is fab'd by you.
Posted By: Ron Wagner on May 14, 2011 01:59AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Ron,
Thank you for contacting us regarding customer provided material.
The preferred method of marking the origin is to use blue painters tape to indicate the corner that aligns with the origin on your drawings, then also to write the file name on that blue piece of tape to avoid confusion.
As far as the screw holes go, it is better to remove those holes before submitting your order, as the price for milling them will be included in the design, and we will end up contacting you and placing your order on hold because of the duplicate elements.
If we can provide any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on May 16, 2011 11:42PM
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Concealed Mounting + Heatsinks
Hi there,
About to design an enclosure with you, and wanted to check if two things were possible. Basically I really like these enclosures (http://atechfabrication.com/HTPC_cases.htm#Storage,_NAS,_and_Server_Cases) and would like to make something as close as possible... Sadly the manufacturer is unwilling to do one offs at different sizes! So I'm going to go to side profile 2 with you guys.
So question 1 is whether there's any way to attach the front panel with concealed fastenings, rather than bolts through the whole front panel.
Question 2 is whether there's any way to specify more of a heatsink style side profile for the case. Which isn't just for looks, actually, the components I'm using will be throwing off a lot of heat and I'd rather avoid needing to put a fan in the case...
While I'm about it, Question 3 would be whether I can specify side profiles in different color anodized aluminum, or whether they have always to be natural.
Thanks for any help you can give me,
Posted By: Magnus Blair on May 06, 2011 09:20PM Category: Production
Hello Magnus,
Thank you for contacting us with your questions.
You can indeed attach a front panel without seeing the fasteners.
What you would need to do is to create a completely flush 2.5mm thick front panel, then create a thicker (6.0mm or thicker) second front panel. Place a cavity on the back side of this thick panel that is just slightly larger than the smaller front panel. Use blind holes on the back of this thick panel, then mount the two panels together from the inside of the enclosure.
We do have a sample here of a panel inset within a panel, and I can e-mail you pictures if that would be helpful.
As far as heatsinks go, there are heatsink profiles available with integral mounting holes, though the offerings are diverse enough that special ordering is recommended.
Regarding color choices, our extrusions come in natural anodized or black anodized finishes. We are also available to drop ship these extrusions to your choice of anodizer to have them refinished to a color of your liking.
Also, for now, we are not offering powder coated extrusions.
If we can be of any additional assistance, please let us know.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on May 07, 2011 01:52AM
ReplyThanks Paul for your prompt reply. Genius suggestion; should probably have thought of that! I have just placed an order with you for something designed along precisely those lines (Order #126590). Think I got everything right, but would love it if maybe you could check it to make sure before the CNC mill gets milling.
Many thanks,
Posted By: Magnus Blair on May 10, 2011 04:44AM
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Resizing panel after designed
I have a panel layout that I have finished. but realized it is not the correct size. I want to keep the designed exactly as it is on the panel. just extend each side slightly. every time i re size the panel it just adds the added length to one side of the panel. is there a way to center justify it keeping the layout centered??
Posted By: Dave Meyers on Apr 27, 2011 04:07AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Dave,
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry.
In order to adjust the size of the panel with the desired results, we recommend you follow these steps:
1. Highlight all objects on your panel and group them together (drag a dashed box around them by clicking and holing the left mouse button, then right click inside the box and select "group").
2. Move the origin to the center of the panel using the shortcut N and the number 5 on your ten key keypad.
3. Now write down the position of your group relative to the new origin of the panel using the object properties or the move function. A layout with symmetry in both axes may be at (0,0).
4. Change the dimensions of your panel to the desired size.
5. Use the shortcut N and the number 5 on the 10 key keypad again to recenter the origin.
6. Move your group of objects to the coordinates you recorded from earlier.
7. Ungroup your objects, then reset the origin to the lower left corner using the shortcut N and 1 on the 10 key keypad.
If you run into any issues following these procedures, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Apr 27, 2011 07:32PM
ReplyThank you! I think it worked great! and i LOVE those shortcuts! that will come in very handy!
Posted By: Dave Meyers on Apr 28, 2011 03:30AM
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