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Front Panel Designer category
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Specifying smallest possible corner radius for rectangular hole
If I want to specify a rectangular through hole, approximately 12mm tall and wide, with the smallest possible corner radius (i.e. as nearly a true rectangle as possible), do I specify the 1.0mm Cutter tool and a radius of 0.5mm?
Thanks.
--Adam
Posted By: Adam Schabtach on Oct 12, 2008 11:06PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hi Adam,
You can specify a corner radius of 0mm. Of course there will be still a small radius (0.5mm if you pick the 1mm cutter) but it will be outside the rectangular shape of the cutout. This allows a perfect fit for connectors.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Oct 14, 2008 05:09AM
ReplyHi,
Thanks for your reply. The square cutout is for a pushbutton rather than a connector. I would prefer that the curve not be outside of the rectangular shape because I think it will look sort of strange if there are little curves near the corners of the button. (Does that make sense? It is sort of hard to describe.) So, if I want the curve to stay within the bounds of the rectangle, do I specify a corner radius of 0.5mm?
I realize that I am talking about very small details which are hardly visible, but I am designing a large panel with approximately 20 of these rectangular cutouts and an overall cost of around $200 so I would like to get it right on the first attempt. :)
Thanks--
--Adam
Posted By: Adam Schabtach on Oct 14, 2008 06:48AM
ReplyI understand your concern.
The little "ears" of the 0mm corner radius would be visible, if your push button doesn't cover the edges of the cutout.
I took a picture that hopefully shows how different radii turn out. The panel below has a cutout with a 0mm radius on the left and a combination of 0mm and 0.5mm radii on the right.
If you want to stay within the bounds of the rectangle, you need to specify a corner radius of 0.5mm which is determined by our smallest cutting tool.
I like to print my panel designs (tiled if necessary) and use the paper as template. In this way, I can ensure that everything fits and is on the right spot. Has saved me some redos in the past. :wink:
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Oct 15, 2008 03:57AM
ReplyHi,
Thanks very much for that photograph--it's very helpful. I will soon have samples of the pushbuttons I am going to use. Once I have those I will decide how to have the holes cut.
I do indeed print my panels on paper before submitting them for fabrication. I have used your excellent services for about six panels already, but they have all been relatively small and have had only circular holes. The panel I am currently designing is a 6U 19" rack panel with 128 circular holes, 20 small squares, and two large rectangles for LCDs. I will check it very carefully before placing the order. :D
Thanks again for your help.
--Adam
Posted By: Adam Schabtach on Oct 15, 2008 04:34AM
ReplyHello, I'm trying to figure out the corner radius size to use as well. Is it possible to see a picture of a .25 corner radius?
Thanks!
Posted By: Erik Dower on Jan 20, 2009 01:55AM
ReplyHi Erik,
Here is a screen shot of a .25 corner radius. Since the 1mm cutter is our smallest tool, there will always be a corner radius of at least .5mm.
The radius of .25 will give you little 'ears' as well but they aren't big enough to cut all the material out of the corner (see red area).
Best regards,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jan 20, 2009 07:28PM
Reply -
macro question and line art.
Is there a way to ungroup a macro object? The equliv. of 'explode' in autocad?
Also, where can I find step by step information on how to build lines around a hole for a stepped attenuator?
Posted By: Don B on Sep 29, 2008 03:18PM Category: Front Panel Designer
You can find 'ungroup' in the toolbar menu -> Selection or in the right-click menu.
We added a new program - Scale Generator - in our Tips & Tricks section. This script enables you to design both round and linear dials. Instead of designing engraved dials from scratch in Front Panel Designer, they can be created as a hpgl file with Scale Generator.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Sep 30, 2008 02:31AM
Reply -
Macro Object or Library Object?
Greetings FPE Forum!
I have a requirement for a cutout for a Deltron DIN connector which has a .629" dia. round hole with a 0.125"x0.048" (0.025 corner rad.) rectangular cutout at the 12 o'clock position. Is this something that I could piece together by using a circle and rectangle object on top of each other or is this something that would require a library object?
Cheers,
Raph
This is the part btw:
www.mouser.com/catalog/specsheets/0416191.pdf
Posted By: Raph Wlodarczyk on Aug 26, 2008 07:27PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hello Raph,
You can group a drilled hole and a rectangular cutout to get the Deltron cutout and save it as a macro object.
Regards,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 27, 2008 05:59PM
ReplyPerfect! That's what I was hoping.
Are there any restrictions/limitation to making complex objects this way?
Posted By: Raph Wlodarczyk on Aug 27, 2008 10:18PM
ReplyPerfect! That's what I was hoping.
Are there any restrictions/limitation to making complex objects this way?
Posted By: Raph Wlodarczyk on Aug 27, 2008 10:31PM
ReplyNo, you can group as many objects as you want.
If the shape of the final object will become too complicate and the effort to design it with Front Panel Designer would be too big, you can also send us a dxf file. We can import the contour for a small additional one-time charge (usually $15 to $30) on your panel.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 27, 2008 11:11PM
Reply -
HPGL/2 support?
I'm working in Autocad and wanted to import an Autocad file to FPD, will exporting the Autocad file via HPGL/2 work, or does it only work with HPGL?
Is there an easier way to get things from Autocad to FPD? Will .plt files import?
Thanks,
Jeff
Posted By: Jeff McCrum on Aug 25, 2008 08:31PM Category: Front Panel Designer
Hi Jeff,
Both file types will work fine. The difference is in some additional information about line thicknesses given in HPGL2 for plotters. The thickness of engraving lines can be selected by tool choice in the HPGL properties in Front Panel Designer so that the extra information coming with HPGL2 is not needed.
PLT is the file extension for HPGLs and the export from Autocad will work fine.
Please keep in mind that in Front Panel Designer imported HPGLs can be only used for engravings. All drilled holes, cutouts and cavities need to be designed with Front Panel Designer. Reason is the missing information in Z (depth of objects) because of 2D drawings (important for countersinks or threads and depth of cavities).
More information about HPGL import can be found in our Tips & Tricks section, Tips for generating HPGL files for logos or other engravings
Regards,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 27, 2008 08:08AM
Reply -
hpgl engraving with cutter tool
When importing an HPGL file, the tool can be set to engraving or cutter.
If set to cutter, does that mean it cuts completely thru?
This is what I would expect, but there is an in-fill color option for the cutter tool that confuses me a bit.
>
Posted By: calvin stringer on Jul 30, 2008 05:15PM Category: Front Panel Designer
If set to cutter, does that mean it cuts completely thru?
No, it doesn't cut through. All hpgl imports are engravings with the same depth of .016", no matter which tool was selected.
But there is an option to get it to cut through.
Add a note for us in the 'Remark Box' in 'Front Panel Properties'. We can reprogram the depth for a small additional fee (usually about $20). Please make sure you use at least the 1mm tool for your contour.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 31, 2008 01:14AM
ReplyDiane,
Does the option to have an HPGL engraving cut clear through still valid if a 1mm or larger cutting tool spec'ed? And if so, is it still an extra $20 per panel?
I have an enclosure project coming up that this would be ideal for.
Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Jul 19, 2012 06:57PM
ReplyWe made a couple of improvements in Front Panel Designer since I answered this in 2008.
You can now import dxf files in addition to hpgl files. The hpgl format is still valid for engravings and the newer dxf format can be used for cutouts and cavities. The latter offers 1mm as the smallest cutting tool.
No additional charges apply since we no longer need to modify the mill program. All machining information comes with your design file.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 24, 2012 01:58AM
ReplyHi Diane,
Can I still use an HPGL instead of the DXF for cutting designs clear through as was done in 2008?
I have tried importing a DXF version and keep getting errors about my file. I think it is because my graphic is not composed of closed contours and instead is made up of a series of lines, many of which cross over each other.
Anyway I am quite happy with what the HPGL graphic looks like, and the cutter tool sizes available are perfectly good for what I need. So can I still use the HPGL method, and specify a clear through cut be made?
Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Jul 26, 2012 01:07AM
ReplyHi Michael,
The "old" hpgl way does of course still work. However, you got me now curious why the dxf doesn't work in Front Panel Designer. I would like to check out if the program caused the problem.
I am happy to have a look and clean up the dxf for you if needed. Can you please email me your fpd file with the hpgl to info@frontpanelexpress.com?
Thank you,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Jul 27, 2012 01:38AM
ReplyHi Diane,
I sent you my files a few days back. No sweat over the DXF import problem as far as I'm concerned. So long as the old way still works, that's fine by me.
However if a potential bug in the program can be fixed, so much the better for everyone.
Speaking of the program, I am using the Linux version and I've got to say other than this minor problem with the DXF import, it has worked like a charm.
Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Jul 29, 2012 06:26PM
ReplyHi Michael,
I got your files, thank you.
After looking at your files I can say it is not a bug. You are challenging the capability of Front Panel Designer with your design :-)
The dxf import needs closed contours and can't deal with groups of lines. I would like to discuss this with our IT department. Please use the "old hpgl way" in the meantime and leave us a note to cut all the way through the panel.
I am glad the Linux version works well for you.
Thank you again for your feedback. It helps tremendously to improve Front Panel Designer.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 03, 2012 01:56AM
ReplyIt would seem like the HPGL method still has some advantages over the DXF import for contour cutting. Perhaps the option of cutting clear through can be added as a choice in the "pen color" selection box for the HPGL engraving.
If nothing else, this would make for automatic machine setup and price adjustment, and probably be more clear then putting a note in the remarks box.
Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Aug 09, 2012 07:39AM
ReplyJust a quick update.
I got the latest developer version that allows dxf contours with open contours (lines, arcs, etc.) in the machining code.
Next step is to implement it in Front Panel Designer to make it available to our customers. I will keep you posted on the progress.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 11, 2012 01:08AM
ReplyJust a quick update.
I got the latest developer version that allows dxf contours with open contours (lines, arcs, etc.) in the machining code.
Next step is to implement it in Front Panel Designer to make it available to our customers. I will keep you posted on the progress.
If you think this will be available fairly soon, perhaps I'll hold off on ordering my enclosure panel set and give this a try.
Posted By: Michael St. Pierre on Aug 17, 2012 06:39AM
ReplyProbably not in the next update. There are still a few issues we need to figure out.
I would say the hpgl method is the one to go for now.
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Aug 17, 2012 10:05PM
Reply -
Object properties shows millimeters and inches
In the version 3.5 software, why does the "Object Properties" dialog display X and Y in inches even when the rest of the units (such as height and width) are shown in millimeters? this makes designing a lot more work than it needs to be as I have to constantly convert units back and forth using a calculator.
Thanks,
PeterM
Posted By: Peter Montgomery on Apr 10, 2008 08:34AM Category: Front Panel Designer
Peter,
There is indeed an inconsistency within the 'Object Properties' regarding inches and millimeters. A mixup in dimension units happens if they are changed during the design. The properties of an individual object stay in the unit which was active when placed on the panel. Changing dimension units in the 'Edit Menu' doesn't affect already existing objects. We will look into this for future versions.
We are sorry for the inconvenience and would like to thank you for pointing that out.
Thank you,
Diane
Posted By: Diane Haensel on Apr 10, 2008 06:50PM
Reply
