Front Panel Express FAQ

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ORDERS AND QUOTES SHIPPING

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Production Tolerances

Even though positioning by the CNC machines is accurate to 0.02 mm, production tolerances of 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm should be expected due to tool wear, etc. For example, a drill hole for a round plug should have a hole diameter which is 0.2 mm larger (D-hole: 0.3 mm) than the thread diameter of the plug.

Production-Related Constraints

Drill Hole Diameters and Corner Radii
The smallest tool available is a milling cutter with a diameter of 1 mm. The minimum hole diameter is therefore 1 mm and the minimum inner corner radius is 0.5 mm.
Drill Hole Diameters and Depth
Depending on the milling tool required, holes and threads with a small diameter can only be milled into the material to a limited depth.
Standard Corner Radius
If inner corner radii are not absolutely essential, an optimal price can be achieved by selecting the (normal default) corner radius of 1.5 mm. This radius can be cut using the standard 3 mm milling cutter and thus no (cost-incurring) tool change needs to be made.
Overlapping Objects
Generally, positioned objects can overlap as you like. This makes it possible to create special contours both inside and along the edge of the main panel. The following should be noted:
- Objects cannot project more than 3 mm outside the edge of the main panel.
- Avoid allowing engravings and objects such as drill holes, cut-outs, etc. to overlap. As with increasing the width of the engraving this raises the risk that the in-fill may 'leak'.

If your project has requirements that do not conform to this, let us know! In many cases we have a solution or work around.

Production Tolerances

Production-Related Constraints

Drill Hole Diameters and Corner Radii
The smallest tool available is a milling cutter with a diameter of 1 mm. The minimum hole diameter is therefore 1 mm and the minimum inner corner radius is 0.5 mm.
Drill Hole Diameters and Depth
Depending on the milling tool required, holes and threads with a small diameter can only be milled into the material to a limited depth.
Standard Corner Radius
If inner corner radii are not absolutely essential, an optimal price can be achieved by selecting the (normal default) corner radius of 1.5 mm. This radius can be cut using the standard 3 mm milling cutter and thus no (cost-incurring) tool change needs to be made.
Overlapping Objects
Generally, positioned objects can overlap as you like. This makes it possible to create special contours both inside and along the edge of the main panel. The following should be noted:
- Objects cannot project more than 3 mm outside the edge of the main panel.
- Avoid allowing engravings and objects such as drill holes, cut-outs, etc. to overlap. As with increasing the width of the engraving this raises the risk that the in-fill may 'leak'.

If your project has requirements that do not conform to this, let us know! In many cases we have a solution or work around.

ORDERS AND QUOTES

Requesting a Quote

To request a quote, please use the webshop. Add your front panel file(s) and any accessories to the basket, and click 'Request quote as PDF'. You'll be prompted to provide any additional information that is needed, then to finish simply click 'Request quote'. We will then review your inquiry and email you a quote.

For quantities below 29 units per design, the price quoted will likely correspond to the cost calculated by the software.

If you are unable to use Front Panel Designer, please send technical drawings or CAD files to Info@frontpanelexpress.com requesting a quote. We can create the FPD file(s) from your data for a surcharge. The quote will therefore include this service as an additional item and the corresponding amount will be payable when you place your order.

Order Status and Delivery Date

After you've placed your order, you will receive an e-mail confirming your order, delivery date, and a link to check your order status. If you are registered in the webshop, you can also view your order status at any time in the account management section.

Order Process

Front panels can be easily ordered through the webshop. You can access the webshop directly from Front Panel Designer (found under ‘Order’ in the menu bar) or through our website. Simply upload your FPD file(s), place them in the shopping cart, and follow the steps to place your order or request a quote.

Detailed information about the webshop can be found in the webshop’s FAQ and in the Online Help.

Ordering Outside the Webshop

If you are unable to access our webshop, you can also send your FPD file(s) and order information to Info@frontpanelexpress.com.

Ordering Using CAD Data

If you are unable to use Front Panel Designer, it is possible for you to send us your CAD data instead. To do so, please use our FPD Design Service. There is a fee for this service, the fees are indicated in the quote and are payable only when you place your order.

Subsequent Changes

If you want to make changes to an order that has already been placed, please contact the customer service team ((206) 768-0602). Additional charges will be incurred, depending on the current status of production and the changes required.

Production Times

Orders are ready to ship in five business days (for order values up to $2,000). Faster handling is also possible for a surcharge. The following express surcharges apply:

3 business days: 100% surcharge
1 business day: 200% surcharge

You can specify your desired production time during checkout.

Complaints

We always try do everything in our power to supply products of the highest quality. However, reach out to our customer service team if you run into any issues with your order, and please send us photos of the problem if possible. We will do everything we can to find a solution quickly.

Discount Codes

If you have a discount code, you can add it to your shopping cart or enter it during checkout. The discount code will validated during order processing, and will be reflected in your order confirmation.

Methods of Payment

Credit card:

We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express. You will need to enter your credit card details over a secure connection during the order process. The invoice amount will then be debited on the date of shipment.

You may also pay an invoice with your credit card. You must call our customer service department to initiate these manual payments.

Invoice with 2% 10, Net 30 Terms:

This payment method is available for business accounts after their third order.

When your order is shipped, you will receive an e-mail from us containing the invoice in PDF format. We will mail a hard copy of the invoice only at your request. Invoices are payable within 30 days of the invoice date. A 2% discount is granted for payment received within 10 days of the invoice date, when paying via check, wire transfer or ACH methods.

Please submit remittance advice with each payment either with your check or emailed to accounting@frontpanelexpress.com.

Failure to pay within the terms listed may result in terms being revoked.

Wire Transfer/ACH Payments:

To obtain our banking details to submit payment via wire transfer or ACH, please reach out to our accounting department at accounting@frontpanelexpress.com. All banking fees for initiating a wire transfer are the responsibility of the customer submitting the payment.

All electronic transfers require remittance advice to be sent to accounting@frontpanelexpress.com.

Prepayment:

After we have checked your order, you will receive an order confirmation by e-mail which includes a payment request. You then have the option of paying by check or bank transfer.

Your order will be shipped once payment has been received. Please wait until you have received the order confirmation before you make payment. In the case of prepayment, you must enter the order number as the payment reference.

Cancellation

We would like to point out that no right of withdrawal from an order exists for products individually fabricated and tailored to your personal needs. In exceptional cases and depending on production progress, we may still be able to stop your order. Please call our customer service team immediately.

For products not falling under this provision, withdrawal can be arranged by post, fax, e-mail or phone. The statutory requirements apply in this respect. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.