Schaeffer AG FAQ

TECHNICAL INFORMATION ORDERS AND QUOTES SHIPPING

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TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Production tolerances

Even though positioning by the CNC machines is accurate to 0.02 mm, production tolerances of 0.05 mm to 0.10 mm must be generally expected due to tool wear, etc. For a drill hole for a round plug, you should therefore choose a hole diameter which is 0.2 mm larger (D-hole: 0.3 mm) than the thread diameter of the plug.

Production-related constraints

Drill hole diameters and corner radii
The smallest tool available is a milling cutter with a diameter of 1 mm. The minimum hole diameter is therefore 1 mm and the minimum inner corner radius is 0.5 mm.
Drill hole diameters and depths
Drill holes and threads with small diameters can only be cut into the material up to a limited depth, depending on the cutter tool required.
Standard corner radius
If inner corner radii do not necessarily have to be specified, an optimal price can be achieved by selecting the (usual default) corner radius of 1.5 mm, as this can be cut using the standard tool, the 3 mm milling cutter and thus no (cost-incurring) tool change needs to be made.
Overlapping objects
In principle, positioned objects may overlap as you like. This makes it possible to create special contours both inside and along the edge of the main panel. The following should be noted here:
- Objects may not project more than 3 mm outside the edge of the main panel.
- Avoid allowing engraving objects such as drill holes, cut-outs, etc. to overlap, as the greater the width of the engraving the greater the risk that the in-fill may ‘leak’.

If your project has requirements that do not conform to this, let us know. In many cases a solution can be found.

Greater material thicknesses

We can machine aluminium up to a thickness of 20 mm. However, as we do not keep thicknesses over 10 mm in stock, these have to be specially procured. If you need a panel like this, simply enter 10 mm as the thickness in your FPD file and write the thickness that you actually require in the ‘Remarks for production’ field.

Please note that some small drill holes and cut-outs can only be cut to a limited depth. The hole depth possible in a particular case is shown to you in Front Panel Designer. In exceptional cases, greater material thicknesses are also possible. If your project has special requirements, let us know. In many cases a solution can be found.

Production tolerances

Production-related constraints

Drill hole diameters and corner radii
The smallest tool available is a milling cutter with a diameter of 1 mm. The minimum hole diameter is therefore 1 mm and the minimum inner corner radius is 0.5 mm.
Drill hole diameters and depths
Drill holes and threads with small diameters can only be cut into the material up to a limited depth, depending on the cutter tool required.
Standard corner radius
If inner corner radii do not necessarily have to be specified, an optimal price can be achieved by selecting the (usual default) corner radius of 1.5 mm, as this can be cut using the standard tool, the 3 mm milling cutter and thus no (cost-incurring) tool change needs to be made.
Overlapping objects
In principle, positioned objects may overlap as you like. This makes it possible to create special contours both inside and along the edge of the main panel. The following should be noted here:
- Objects may not project more than 3 mm outside the edge of the main panel.
- Avoid allowing engraving objects such as drill holes, cut-outs, etc. to overlap, as the greater the width of the engraving the greater the risk that the in-fill may ‘leak’.

If your project has requirements that do not conform to this, let us know. In many cases a solution can be found.

Greater material thicknesses

ORDERS AND QUOTES

Requesting a quote

To request a quote, please use the webshop. Add your front panel file(s) and any accessories to the basket and then click ‘Request quote as PDF’. Then provide any other information that is needed and click ‘Request quote’. We will then check your enquiry and send you a quote by e-mail.

For normal quantities, the price quoted will likely correspond to the price calculated by the software.

If you are unable to use Front Panel Designer, please send technical drawings or CAD files to service@schaeffer-ag.de requesting a quote. In this case, we can create the FPD file(s) from your data. The quote will therefore include this service as an additional item. The corresponding amount will, of course, only be payable when you go ahead with your order.

Order status and delivery date

After you have placed your order, you will receive an e-mail from us confirming your order and the delivery date. This e-mail contains a link to display the status of your order. If you are registered in the webshop, you can also view the order status at any time in your account management page.

Order process

Front panels are ordered through the webshop. You can access the webshop directly from Front Panel Designer (menu item: ‘Order’) or through the link on our website. Upload your FPD file(s) into the webshop, place them in the basket and follow the steps for placing your order or requesting a quote.

Detailed information about the webshop can be found in the webshop’s FAQ and in the Online help.

Ordering outside the webshop

If you are unable to use our webshop, you can also send your FPD file(s) to service@schaeffer-ag.de.

Ordering using CAD data

If you are unable to use Front Panel Designer, you can also send us your CAD data instead. To do so, please use our FPD design service. There is a fee for this service. The fees are indicated in the quote and are payable only when you go ahead with your order.

Subsequent changes

If you want to make changes to an order that has already been placed, please contact the customer service team (+49 30 805 86 95 - 0). Additional charges will be incurred, depending on the current status of production and the changes required. If changes are requested on the same day as the order is placed, these can usually be accommodated at no extra cost.

Delivery times

The ordered item is typically ready for shipment in five to eight working days, and 90 per cent of orders are shipped on the fifth day. Faster handling is also possible for a surcharge. The following express surcharges apply:

3 working days: 100% surcharge
1 working day: 200% surcharge

You can specify the desired production time in the basket.

Complaints

We do our utmost to supply products of high quality. However, if you have any cause for complaint, please get in touch with our customer service team. It is often helpful if you can send us photos of the problem. We will do everything we can to find a prompt solution.

Discount codes

If you have a discount code, you can add this to your basket or enter it in the last step of the order process. The discount code will be checked for validity once your order is received, and the value will be credited in your order confirmation.

Methods of payment

Against invoice:

This payment method is available to companies and institutes from the first order and to private persons from the third order.

You will pay by bank transfer after receiving your items. On the day of shipment, you will receive an e-mail from us containing the invoice in PDF format. If you let us know beforehand, you can choose to receive a hard copy of the invoice instead. Invoices are payable within 30 days of receipt. A two per cent discount is granted for payment within 14 days.

Please enter the invoice number as the payment reference for the transfer.

Prepayment/PayPal:

After we have checked your order, you will receive an order confirmation by e-mail which includes a payment request. You then have the option of paying by bank transfer or by PayPal. Payment by PayPal can be initiated through a link in the e-mail.

Your order will be dispatched once we receive payment. Please wait until you have received the order confirmation before you make payment. In the case of prepayment, please enter the order number as the payment reference.

Credit card:

We accept Visa and Mastercard. You can enter your credit card details over a secure connection during the order process. The invoice amount will be ‘held’ on your credit card two days prior to the shipping date. The amount will be debited on the date of shipment.

Direct debit:

For the payment method Direct debit, you grant us permission to debit the invoice amount from your bank account. You enter your account details over a secure connection during the order process. We will debit the invoice amount from your bank account a few days after product shipment.

Cash:

This method of payment can be used only upon Collection. You can pick up the items in person during our business hours at our Berlin location and pay in cash. Please have the correct amount ready wherever possible.

Cash on delivery:

This method of payment can be used only in Germany. You pay the invoice amount when you receive the items. Please note that this payment method will incur higher shipping costs and possibly additional fees charged by the shipping company.

Cancellation

We would like to point out that no right of withdrawal from an order exists for products individually fabricated and tailored to your personal needs (Section 312g(2) No. 1 German Civil Code (BGB) Right of withdrawal). In exceptional cases and depending on production progress, we may still be able to stop your order. Please call our customer service team immediately.

For products not falling under this provision, withdrawal can be arranged by post, fax, e-mail or phone. The statutory requirements apply in this respect. Please see our Terms & Conditions for more information.