In almost all electronic devices, the feature that improves usability is the front panel. The front panel usually contains the control panel, which is a metal faceplate containing indicator lights, push buttons, and toggle switches that help the user to run the device. All electronics manufacturers need to design a front panel that improves customer usability. Front panels are also necessary when designing device cases, as tech companies are moving away from the practice of housing essential electronic components in cheap boxes. Many metal device enclosures on the market today lack a front panel, requiring these customers to design and purchase custom panels separately. Fortunately, most front panel manufacturers now offer control panel design programs that buyers can download and then use to create a panel that meets device specifications. This article will look at some of the ways these control panel design programs help buyers complete device cabinets or create a component that is compatible with manufactured machines.
To better understand the need for custom control panels, consider how these devices are used. The device operator typically stands in front of the panel when debugging running programs, diagnosing hardware problems, and when starting up. The operator begins by using the toggle switches to provide commands for the device. Modern devices allow the operator to set the switches in a language that is more easily understood by the machine. Some machines even allow you to control I/O devices directly from the control panel. This means that panel layout is critical and no two devices need the same layout. To ensure clients have a unique design, they must use panel design programs.
The control panel design company usually provides these programs to customers free of charge. These CAD-based programs are then used to create the necessary panel by allowing the customer to add measurements and elements such as punched holes, color etching, and rectangular cutouts. Customers also appreciate the fact that these programs make it easy to customize the panels to match the exact specifications of the device. This allows customers to get assistance with the design of basic electrical assemblies, lighting controls, motor controls, and automated systems.
These programs are preferred not only for the ability to customize panels, prototypes, and production runs, but also because they help save the customer money. Control panel design programs often have features within the program that calculate the costs associated with each individual element. This allows clients to receive real-time cost updates and make decisions about what to include or remove based on whether or not a designed dashboard fits their budget. Additionally, since the projects are engineered down to the last tenth of a millimeter, the custom panels designed within these programs offer unmatched precision. Combined with the other benefits, the key takeaway is that panel design programs allow for the production of accurate, highly customized, and cost-effective panels.
Given these benefits, it is critical that customers look for a control panel manufacturing company that provides a free CAD-based program that customers can use to build accurate and inexpensive custom panels to fit into existing device enclosures.
