Quick Specifications

Standard Faceplate Material

Most of our faceplates are manufactured from 0.063 (1.59mm) aluminum. We have found that this material is suitable for a large majority of the enclosure panels used in the electrical/electronic industry. We can also provide heavier materials for larger panels, please call for pricing.

Manufacturing Process

Faceplates are manufactured using rotary cutting tools on a CNC mill.

Minimum Inside Radius

The minimum radius on inside cutouts such as rectangular switches and LCD windows is 0.063 inches. This is created by a cutting tool with a 0.125 inches (3.175 mm) diameter. We have found that this small radius does not normally present a problem when mounting hardware to the panel, and is often unnoticeable on hidden by a device's bezel or graphics panel. As a rule of thumb, the 0.063 (1.59mm)minimum radius requires that any cutout that is required to snugly fit a square or rejecting object should be oversized by 0.020 inches (.508mm) to allow for the radius to just clear the corner of that object. An example of this is provided in the sample drawing (see the link below).

Minimum Outside Radius

There are no restrictions on the outside radius - they can be a true 90 degrees or any radius that fits your design.

Design Files

This is a sample dxf format design file: protoplates_simple_sample.dxf

We currently accept DXF files. Please place your panel drawing, and only your panel as you would like to receive it, on layer "0". This includes the finished outside shape and any finished inside cutouts.

Please place any countersink holes on layer "1" and show the countersink at the top of the material at its finished diameter (which is typically the screw head diameter), also show the through hole size. We manufacture countersinks with standard 82 degree sides; this fits the screws provided by most enclosure manufacturers.

Please include your name, telephone, and email contact information on layer "info". Please include this for each design file.

If you are familiar with the CAD drawing package that you are using to create the dxf file, we would appreciate if you could please explode any blocks and "PLINE" all cutouts and outside perimeter shapes before exporting the files as a dxf.

If you are ordering both a front and back faceplate please separate them into two separate dxf files.

If your are designing a panel and are not familiar with CAD, or don't have access to a professional copy, we suggest this excellent program available for free download (for personal use only): progeCAD by progeSOFT. This CAD package will help you accurately create your panels design and will output a drawing file that we can use directly to manufacture your front or back panel.

If you are not familiar with CAD drawings, or if you just don't have access to a CAD package, you can send us a hand drawn sketch and we will create the part for you - just make sure that you include all the necessary dimensions for your panel. Please scan your drawing and upload it as a jpg or pdf file.

Design File Uploading

Please upload your design and graphics label drawing in a zip file when you place your order. We will review your design file and contact you if we require any more information. Please note that if you are including the graphics file in Corel Draw format that we require it in version 12 or earlier.

Typical front panel for 19 inch rack 1U high.

Design Tips

Click here for faceplate design tips.

Aluminum Sheet Gauge Thickness

The following lists the available aluminum faceplate material thickness. 0.063 is most commonly used with electronic enclosures. A larger gauge material will increase the rigidity of panels, and 0.100 or 0.125 is sometimes used with DIN connectors. 0.063 inch material is always in stock; for other gauges please add 2 days to your delivery. 0.063 is the only gauge which is anodized.

Reference Documents