Manufacturers of electric components and designers of equipment need to create front panels for their devices. The front of a device generally includes indicator lights, buttons, and switches, so panels need to have precisely cut holes to allow individuals access to these components. Luckily, there are companies that provide custom control panels for manufacturers. These manufacturers want a design process that is quick, simple, and accurate. That is why some manufacturers offer a control panel design program to ensure the efficient creation of high-quality panels. This article will take a look at how these programs work.
State-of-the-art Programs
First, customers are asked to download the control panel design program over the Internet. Ideally, the program will allow customers to design, customize, and order panels from the computer. This program should be free and CAD-based, allowing individuals the freedom to place multiple features onto a single project. Elements a customer might add include drilled holes, cavities, colored engravings, and rectangular cutouts. Additionally, customers can rest easy knowing the program provides far more accuracy than traditional tools would, as customers can input exact measurements down to the nearest millimeter.
There are a number of customization options available to panel designers. Buyers can choose between anodized and raw aluminum, choosing between various colors and thickness. They can also use a wide range of colors on every type of aluminum, either for text or to provide color-coded borders for cut holes. Numerous fonts and geometric shapes will be pre-programmed into the control panel design program, though buyers will have the option to import their own design or font for engravings. In addition to using one’s own designs, customers will also have the option to use their own materials. Some companies do not provide this option when designing custom panels, so be sure to speak with the panel manufacturer before ordering.
A quality control panel design program increases the convenience of the buying process. The program should have an ordering mechanism right in the software, so an order can be placed without sending an e-mail or making a phone call. Additionally, the program will estimate costs with an automatic, detailed cost calculation as changes are made to the custom panels. This helps organizations keep track of spending to make sure they are staying within their budget and have not made a mistake.
Many companies offer quantity discounts, regardless of whether the buyer orders custom control panels using his or her own material, or material from the panel manufacturer. Buyers should be sure to ask about quantity discounts before finalizing the order.
Shipping, based on box size and weight, will be calculated from inside the custom control panels program, but the buyer should check that shipping is included before committing to a price.
Buyers who have already designed custom control panels using a different CAD program should ask the manufacturing company if it is possible to convert these drawings to the manufacturer’s program before attempting to start over.