Support Forum
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HPGL engraving inside a cavity
I was wondering if it is possible to have an engraving inside a cavity. When I do this in FPD the engraving is no longer visible but still there so will it still engrave?
Posted By: Shawn Hedrick on Jan 16, 2012 10:51PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Shawn,
Thank you for contacting us with your inquiry.
It is possible to engrave in a cavity with some programming modifications, but the crispness attained by engraving through the anodized layer (which is quite hard) is lost, so the results will not be comparable to the same engravings cut through the anodized surface.
One alternative to get around this would be to engrave the cavity a little deeper, then have an anodized panel milled to drop into the cavity.
For a small fee, we have also created custom HPGL's that mill a cavity around the shapes of the desired text, resulting in an embossed look. This restricts your letter color to the color of the panel, but the finished look is outstanding.
If we can provide any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Jan 16, 2012 11:32PM
ReplyThanks for clearing that up for me and the quick response. :)
Posted By: Shawn Hedrick on Jan 17, 2012 01:32AM
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How to match colors?
I have enclosure and I would like to have the front panel the same color(or as close as possible).
I have no information of the color number(like RAL or another). It'd grey or beige type.
What would the best way to order the best possible front panel color (powder coating)?
What is RAL code for company standard color...approximately?
Thanks,
Posted By: Pavel Perchine on Jan 05, 2012 11:14PM Category: Production
Hello Pavel,
Thank you for contacting us regarding our materials.
My best recommendation is that you e-mails us at info@frontpanelexpress.com and provide your mailing address so we can send you a sample packet.
This will provide small physical samples of our colors so you can determine if any will work appropriately.
Otherwise, you would need to consult a RAL color chart to look for a color match, then we can special order powder for your front panel.
Let us know if we can provide any additional assistance.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Jan 06, 2012 05:54PM
ReplyThanks,
What way is a back side of the front panel finished if powder coating applied?
I need to have electrical connection between front panel and enclosure.
Posted By: Pavel Perchine on Jan 07, 2012 12:21AM
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Combine Shipping
Hi,
I am about to place orders for a few front panels and some aluminum profile parts.
How combine shipping would be calculated?
I can assume that in an order program at the very end of ordering process?
Thanks,
Posted By: Pavel Perchine on Jan 03, 2012 05:51PM Category: Ordering
Hello Pavel,
Thank you for contacting us regarding ordering from Front Panel Designer.
If you combine all of the items you wish to order into our shopping cart, then shipping will be calculated for all of those items together (provided your ship-to location and shipping methods have been set).
More information on ordering can be found here.
Additionally, it is often overlooked that multiple panels can be ordered at once, and they can be added to the shopping cart by using the button with the blue "+".
Let us know if you have any additional questions.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Jan 03, 2012 08:32PM
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22mm industrial controls
Hi, I'm looking for an outlne for a 22mm industrial switch, surely one of the most commonly drilled outlines, but can't find one. When I look in the library at other outlines that have notches in them, they seem to have been drawn in Autocad and then imported. I don't have access to such design tools, or know how to use them to make a composite curve.
Does anyone have a 22mm outline? Below is what I believe is the official specification. In my opinion, this should be added to the next update of the FPD tool.
Cheers, David.
Posted By: David Buckley on Dec 27, 2011 08:14PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello David,
Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer.
The unusual switch cutouts that come preloaded in Front Panel Designer all have the detent protruding inside the switch hole, as this is somewhat difficult to draw with elements in our software.
For the drawing you posted, a drill hole of 22.3mm in diameter with an overlapping rectangular cutout will create that shape.
The rectangular cutout must extend 1.8mm from the top of the drill hole and be 3.2mm wide. In practice, we would place that cutout as described, then add 2mm to the height, then move it down by 1mm to create overlap that results in the desired shape.
For additional instructions, I would recommend viewing our tutorials:
If we can provide any additional assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 27, 2011 08:24PM
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3D printing
Hello again,
I'm sure by now most of you have herd of or seen the Open Source / DIY 3D printers floating around the internet. I my self will be receiving my 3D kit around February.
I would love to see your software support such a DIY community and allow those that have a RepRap or some other form of Open Source 3D printer be able to print the panel out for inspection before sending the file to you for production.
More than once have I flawed on a design that would have been spotted only if I could have printed the panel out in actual size and test fitting before sending the file off for cutting.
I feel such a proposal would be monumental in the DIY community. I'm sure some would use your software only to print plastic panels, but the attention and advertisement you would receive from such a feat would be huge.
I have been involved in a few DIY/Open Source projects and trust me when I say, It's only going to get better!
Posted By: Glenn Berden on Dec 14, 2011 10:23PM Category: Whishes
Hello Glenn,
Thank you for contacting us regarding our products and services.
The Rep Rap is a pretty awesome concept, and one that certainly falls in line with the philosophy here at Front Panel Express (we highly favor open source software and projects).
You can print out a paper 1:1 copy of your panel to verify measurements. Printing
We are continually working to develop our designer by adding more capabilities, and 3D functionality may be possible in the future.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 14, 2011 11:31PM
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PDF to PLT on Mac OS X
I have a logo that I want to import into my panel. The only vector graphics software I have is Inkscape, and the .plt export is not working properly for me. Is there any other way to convert a PDF or SVG to the format that Front Panel Designer requires?
Thanks.
Posted By: David Shoemaker on Dec 12, 2011 11:59PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello David,
Thank you for contacting us regarding Front Panel Designer and HPGL imports.
I would suggest e-mail the .PLT file you have exported and the original source file to us at info@frontpanelexpress.com. Being able to examine these files will allow us to provide very specific assistance to you.
Additionally, there is information on our website regarding this process that you might find useful, though it does not relate to Inkscape.
Kindest Regards,
Paul Birkeland
Customer Service Manager
Posted By: Paul Birkeland on Dec 13, 2011 12:55AM
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