Custom Front Panels

Electronic devices ranging from audio amplifiers to microprocessor control systems often need custom front panels to house and annotate the various controls. eMachineShop has fabricated a variety of custom front panels for electronic projects and products. Typically a front panel is a flat plate that attaches to an enclosure. The plate will have holes and cutout for switches, potentiometers, connectors, cables, readouts, etc. There are several process combinations that can be used to make front panels.

Front panels are often made of:

• aluminum - can be brushed and does not require a finish although anodizing or powder coating is recommended
• pre-anodized aluminum - this is often the ideal approach although fewer processes are compatible for cutting
  
• plain steel - can be brushed but requires a finish to prevent rust
  
• stainless steel - can be brushed and does not require a finish
  
• plastic - more readily available with protective paper and does not require a finish

• Blanking
• Drilling
• CNC Laser Cutting
• CNC Milling
• Plastic Injection Molding
• CNC Turret Punching

As described above, custom front panels are often finished with brushing and anodizing or powder coating.

Legends and logos are often applied using one of these methods:

• Silk screening - usually best for more than a few pieces
  
• Engraving - often appropriate for just a few pieces
  
• Pad printing - appropriate for small printing areas

eMachineShop offers most of the above combinations to meet a variety of front panel fabrication needs.

Also see our electronics division, Pad2Pad.