Faceplate mounting hole stencil solutions? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: rastro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 12:17:01 am
content: I need help finding a template/stencil that I can print out and tape to an aluminum face plate so I can make a fairly accurate cut-out mounting hole.Ideally I want a pdf or jpeg that prints the actual size foot print.I haven't seen anything that I can directly apply. There is some Viso templates but I don't have a reader or program. Eagle has some images but they don't really apply to stand alone receptacles. Most vendor drawing are not draw to scale. I want to avoid resizing images. I tried this using GIMP and it was a real pain.I am looking for printable foot prints for these connectors:-------------------------------------------------------------D-SUB CONNECTOR 9 PINS FEMALEBNC FEMALE NUT BULKHEAD SOLDER RF CONNECTOR ADAPTERI am open to recommendations.Thanks

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 12:58:16 pm
content: Scaled Dsub:http://www.digikey.com/Web%20Export/Supplier%20Content/NorComp_37/PDF/norcomp-cutout-single-port.pdf?redirected=1The BNC is just a hole i guess, 11-12 mm diameter

author: rastro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 04:38:17 pm
content: NandBlog,I appreciate your help.For the BNC bulkhead mount I ended up using Eagle PCB software. Using a circle for the rounded threads and a overlaying a rectangle to stencil the flat (prevents connector from turning).Thanks

author: eurofox
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 29, 2013, 08:41:57 pm
content: Quote from: rastro on August 29, 2013, 12:17:01 amhttp://www.frontpanelexpress.com/index.html

author: rastro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2013, 12:04:33 pm
content: Quote from: eurofox on August 29, 2013, 08:41:57 pmeurofox,The application is excellent, thanks for pointing me to this resource.

author: hlavac
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2013, 02:38:54 pm
content: Seems like its just a front end to front panel manufacturing business.Can you actually get your design out from the application?I usually do my front panel in Eagle, using the drawing commands to enter exact coordinates.

author: rastro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2013, 02:55:55 pm
content: Quote from: hlavac on August 30, 2013, 02:38:54 pmYes you can print it out. The vendors application is called "front design". I used eagle for my last template before this was suggested.One of the draw backs with eagle is that the 9-pin D connector is undersized (correctly drawn for the connection side) but I discovered the back is flared so I ended up filing the difference. "Front design" seems to account for the faceplate side of the connector. I also couldn't find a bulkhead mounted BNC with a double flat in eagle and had to kluge it. This part was in readily avaible "Front design" built-in library.So "Front design" will be my go to faceplate editor for future jobs.

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2013, 02:57:28 pm
content: You could get a punch and die to make the hole, that would be my choice if I had a number of them to do otherwise I just mark out the hole by hand.

author: rastro
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 30, 2013, 03:02:40 pm
content: Quote from: G7PSK on August 30, 2013, 02:57:28 pmI've been using a drill, jeweler saw, and file. I'm gluing a paper stencil on as a guide. I imagine a punch and die is much faster and cleaner.