Front panel construction with transparent films - Click here! FrontDesigner is a software package with many special functions specially designed to create front panels. The software is equipped with easy-use drawing functions for rectangles, polygons, ellipses, labels, drillings, etc.
Online Front-Panel design?
#46648 Hey All, Filling up my days thinking about how I'm going to package my uBitX once I get it... Are any of you familiar with the online Front-Panel design firms? https://www.frontpanelexpress.com/front_panel_designer/the_idea/ You download or use their online design tools to create a front panel in the material of your choice, including Aluminum or plastic. All holes, cutouts and labels are done. The design tools have extensive libraries so that you have precision holes and cutouts. The prices are a bit high for one-offs; for a box to fit a uBitX, it might be reasonable in quantity. If a group could agree on a design, a professional-looking panel design could be bought for a reasonable price. | |
#46655 I've gotten case parts from them in the past. Good firm to deal with. The way I placed my order the shipping would've been really high, they caught it and gave me the option of either leaving it as is or having them change it to lower the shipping. toggle quoted messageShow quoted textVince. On 04/17/2018 05:13 PM, Gerry Hull wrote: Hey All, -- Michigan VHF Corp. http://www.nobucks.net/http://www.CDupe.com/ http://www.metalworkingfun.com | |
#46664 I’ve used them before for professional work. The front panel for a uBITx would be worth more than the radio, case, power supply, and antenna! Dr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton – J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com Like us on Facebook! Moderator – North American QRO Group at Groups.IO. email: bill@... From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Gerry Hull Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2018 4:13 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [BITX20] Online Front-Panel design? Hey All, Filling up my days thinking about how I'm going to package my uBitX once I get it... Are any of you familiar with the online Front-Panel design firms? You download or use their online design tools to create a front panel in the material of your choice, including Aluminum or plastic. All holes, cutouts and labels are done. The design tools have extensive libraries so that you have precision holes and cutouts. The prices are a bit high for one-offs; for a box to fit a uBitX, it might be reasonable in quantity. If a group could agree on a design, a professional-looking panel design could be bought for a reasonable price. | |
#46665 toggle quoted messageShow quoted text On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 10:25 PM K9HZ <bill@...> wrote:
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#46668 I have had seven different panels made by them with excellent results. Definitely a recommended company! | |
#46671 An alternative might be to fab the front panel as a PC board, labels in the silk. Can have a solid copper plane on one or both sides, perhaps even a few parts and traces on the inside surface. I'd size it for an easily obtained extruded aluminum box. Jerry, KE7ER On Tue, Apr 17, 2018 at 02:13 pm, Gerry Hull wrote:
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#46675 If you do that, comment to the pcb house that you want their mill mark on the opposite side of the silkscreen used on the front panel. toggle quoted messageShow quoted textI’ve used front panel express several times. Great stuff but oh my God, they are expensive. Mike, WB8VGE “The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they are genuine” —Abraham Lincoln
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#46684 But, consider the investment in equipment you would need to even come close to the quality they provide. In this case, you DEFINITELY get what you pay for. | |
#46698 Gang, toggle quoted messageShow quoted texta few examples of front panel express final products that I’ve made. Great product….expensive though Mike, WB8VGE SunLight Energy Systems The Heathkit Shop http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ J e e p
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#46700 As an afterthought, I have used the design software to create a panel by selecting the material as white, powder coated aluminum. Then print it on plain paper, in wire mode with reference marks. You can use a couple of strips of double-stick tape to secure it to your panel blank an use it for a drill template. When done, remove the template and debur as needed. Print it again (do not select wire mode or reference marks) on a full sheet, paper, adhesive label. Carefully adhere the label to your drilled panel, making sure you are lined up correctly with your holes. Overlay it with a clear, full sheet, adhesive label to preserve it. Use a sharp hobby knife, from the panel back, to clear out the label material from the holes. Install your components and you are done! This also works out to make drill templates for other parts of your cabinets. | |
#46726 And what did you pay roughly for those specimens? toggle quoted messageShow quoted textDr. William J. Schmidt - K9HZ J68HZ 8P6HK ZF2HZ PJ4/K9HZ VP5/K9HZ PJ2/K9HZ Owner - Operator Big Signal Ranch – K9ZC Staunton, Illinois Owner – Operator Villa Grand Piton - J68HZ Soufriere, St. Lucia W.I. Rent it: www.VillaGrandPiton.com email: bill@... On Apr 18, 2018, at 10:45 AM, Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> wrote:
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#46734 top one $76 toggle quoted messageShow quoted textbottom $58 It’s not so much the size of the panel, but the cut outs and text, holes… “The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they are genuine” —Abraham Lincoln
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#46741 Mike, toggle quoted messageShow quoted textAs always your work is exceptional. Love the TX-807! Every one of my Heathkit and Drake Power Supplies has your PCBs. Dave WI6R On Apr 18, 2018, at 4:53 PM, Mike Bryce <prosolar@...> wrote: top one $76 bottom $58 It’s not so much the size of the panel, but the cut outs and text, holes… “The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they are genuine” —Abraham Lincoln
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#46748 I really like your footnote quotation, Mike: Internet? Abraham Lincoln? :) 73 Dex, ZL2DEX |