Support Forum
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Blind Hole limit
I need to attach a hinge to our front panel.
I would prefer to attach the hinge to the back side of the panel using ten #6 tapped holes.
While it would probably be ok to use through holes, I would like to use blind holes to hide the end of the #6 screws.
I am using 4mm black anodized material.
How deep can I make the blind hole without breaking through?
3.9mm ?
Thanks
David Petticord
Complete Networks, Inc.
Posted By: David Petticord on Jun 05, 2009 04:09PM Category: Production
The deepest blind hole you can make for your particular application is 3.5mm.
Posted By: Leland Savage on Jun 06, 2009 01:42AM
ReplyThank You for the information.
Unfortunately, the screw would hit bottom at 3.5mm
A through hole isn't a big deal. I will do that.
Posted By: David Petticord on Jun 06, 2009 04:33PM
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Connector Templates
I would love to see templates for G-Subminiature connectors (9-, 15-, 25-, 37- and 50-pin), Telco 50 (AKA, CHAMP connectors) and Neutrik chassis connectors.
Regards,
john W3JKS/AAT3BF/AAM3EDE/AAA9Sl
Posted By: John Scoggin on Apr 24, 2009 12:58AM Category: Whishes
SubD and XLR connectors are already integrated in Front Panel Designer. You can find them under Insert--> Macro Object.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Apr 27, 2009 04:17PM
Reply8) Thank you. I've "discovered" how to make templates this morning. Is there someone who collects them? If so, I will send you the ones that I create.
john W3JKS/AAT3BF/AAM3EDE/AAA9SL
Posted By: John Scoggin on May 02, 2009 06:40PM
ReplyThe content of our website will be extended within the next weeks. This will also allow us to add attachments to our forum. Having your templates here will be very much appreciated.
I'll keep you posted when attachments will be available.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on May 03, 2009 07:41PM
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Pelican case panels
Would any kind soul out there have something I could use as a template for an 1150 or 1400 case panel template?
I'm not a mechanical guy, and I would prefer to take as much uncertanity out of this as possible. Thanks! :D
Posted By: David VanHorn on Apr 23, 2009 03:08PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Let us look into it. We should have something for you in a couple of days.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Apr 24, 2009 07:06PM
ReplyHere is the panel for a 1150 case.
You might need to change the mounting holes, depending on the type of screws you want to use. Our template has countersinks for the 4-40 thread inserts of the case.
The dimensions for other Pelican cases can be found here:
And an example for an installed panel from one of our customers is here:
I hope we could take a little uncertainty out of your project :)
Posted By: Diane Haensel on May 03, 2009 07:13PM
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Templates
Templates for commonly used enclosures would be a good thing.
For example, I'll be needing Pelican 1400 and 1150 panels soon. I'd love to be able to start with a known template, and just add the bits I need. Stormcases, etc would be a very good idea.
Posted By: David VanHorn on Apr 23, 2009 03:06PM Category: Whishes
I need a 1520 Pelican template if possible. One that fits the frame insert.
BTW, received my order and the panels look fantastic. Every switch and meter fit perfectly. Thank you!
Posted By: Hank Winter on Jul 29, 2011 01:03PM
ReplyI'm looking for a template for the Pelican 1490 with frame. The sides are slightly rounded so a simple rectangular panel won't do. Looks like it would have to be a DXF import but I haven't found anything relevant. Thanks.
Posted By: David Moylan on Sep 08, 2012 04:46AM
ReplyHere is what I found for the 1490
Unfortunately no dxf. Give me a day or two. I will try to find it.
Best regards,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Sep 11, 2012 02:35AM
ReplyHi Diane,
Did you ever have a chance to produce a template for the Pelican 1490? It looks like the Pelican OEM site still does not have a .dxf for this panel frame. I am working on a project using the 1490, and I will be using you guys to manufacture my panels.
Thanks
Posted By: Jonathan McKinnon on Dec 04, 2012 07:08PM
ReplyHi Jonathan,
Unfortunately nothing new and I don't trust other files on the Internet to be honest.
The options are to print your design 100% and match with the case or send the case to us and have us verify.
Best regards,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Dec 11, 2012 12:25AM
ReplyI have a Pelican 1520 coming. Once I have it, I can provide some measurements that would help in creating a template for your software.
Posted By: Eric Hidle on Feb 15, 2016 08:24PM
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Recommendation for off-the-shelf 2U and 3U enclosures?
I would love to use FPD to make custom front and rear panels for otherwise-off-the-shelf rackmount boxes. We currently use the ET series from ConnectTech, but I don't think that will work as-is, because their front sub-panels and their rear panels have bent flanges for attaching to the rest of the box.
I can't send the included panels to FPE because they're steel.
I can't use a FPE-fabricated panel as-is because I don't have the ability to bend the metal afterward.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a 2U and 3U box (19" rackmount) with front and rear panels that can be machined by FPE and used without further processing?
Thanks!
Posted By: Steven Kan on Mar 26, 2009 09:20PM Category: Production
offers off-the-shelf enclosures made out of aluminum.
A lot of our customers send us these panels for further processing.
Even if we can't offer to do the bending for you, machining such provided panels is not a problem at all.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Mar 28, 2009 05:25PM
Replyoffers off-the-shelf enclosures made out of aluminum.
A lot of our customers send us these panels for further processing.
Even if we can't offer to do the bending for you, machining such provided panels is not a problem at all.
Thanks! I just ordered a 3U/14" box to try out, and it seems like a very nice box. The company's website needs work, but the box is solid. I like that all the screws go into pem nuts, and not just into bare sheet metal.
I assembled it today, and it seems much more robust than other boxes we've used in the past. Now I just need a project so I can try it out with FPE :)
Posted By: Steven Kan on Sep 11, 2009 02:07AM
ReplyI was really confused, and this answered all my queistons.
Posted By: Lottie on May 21, 2016 08:46AM
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AutoCAD/DXF Overlay?
In the absence of a true AutoCAD/DXF import feature, which would be very complex, would it be possible to add a feature to simply display an AutoCAD/DXF drawing within FPD so that we can "trace" over it?
All of our existing designs are done in AutoCAD, and when we want to reproduce something in FPD there is a lot of manual comparison between the original and the FPD to ensure that everything is the same.
I'm envisioning a "layer" that contains the rendering of the AutoCAD panel that can be quickly toggled on/off with a hotkey. This would make for very fast visual comparison of any differences in the original and the FPD version.
Of course true AutoCAD/DXF import would be even better!
Posted By: Steven Kan on Mar 26, 2009 08:53PM Category: Whishes
We know that there is a high demand for a dxf import in Front Panel Designer and our software developers are already working on it.
Future versions will have an option for importing complex contours that can't be done with our current software.
However, using a "layer" for visual comparison is already possible. It is not what it is intended for but a hpgl import can be very handy for that.
The dxf file needs to be converted in a plt file that can be brought into Front Panel Designer. It shows you the rendering of your dxf design and allows you a visual comparison to Front Panel Designer's objects.
I can post an example here in case you are interested in the details of how it works.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Mar 28, 2009 08:06PM
ReplyI can post an example here in case you are interested in the details of how it works.
Yes, please!
Posted By: Steven Kan on Jun 26, 2009 08:25PM
ReplyI created some files to show how it works: dxf-hpgl_example.zip
1. a dxf file (the contour) that I want to bring in Front Panel Designer
2. a hpgl file (plt as extension) that can be imported in Front Panel Designer
3. two fpd files to show how it looks into Front Panel Designer
This is the example:
I used Corel Draw for the hpgl conversion. It can import dxf files and export plt files. This is all we need, just bring it in and export it. It might be possible that even CAD programs allow a plt export.
The plt can now be imported into Front Panel Designer.
The two holes are in the right position and allow a visual comparison to Front Panel Designer's objects.
However, the hpgl import was programmed for engravings. Therefore the contour shown represents center lines. If you pick the .2mm engraving tool for the hpgl object it increases the contour by 2 times tool radius (here .2mm). This is why you still see the borders of the contour.
The hpgl file can (and should :wink: ) be deleted when all objects are on the right position.
As mentioned before, this is just a workaround but can be handy for complex panels. I hope it works for you.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jun 28, 2009 09:08PM
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