Cutting Holes in UL 508A Control Panel Enclosures Part 2 of 6

[@Richard-gh6kj]

Just started to work as a lme worked in construction all my years a lot to learn trying to get my head around all this thanks for teaching hard to get patient teachers a lot of ego out there

[@TimWilborne]

Check out our Automation Project from Concept to Reality series. It gets more involved in both the control panel and mechanical build. courses.twcontrols.com/courses/automation-project-course

[@anewthemathias]

Tim, have you ever used an electric/pneumatic nibbler to make the cutouts on enclosures?

[@TimWilborne]

Yes, I have one but wasn't happy with the way it stretched the steel.

[@anewthemathias]

Maybe the punch and die are not sharp enough. Which brand and model do you have?

[@TimWilborne]

I can't recall. I haven't used it in years but it was brand new. It worked good thinner panels but when it came to the heavier panels that's where you'd start to see it

[@anewthemathias]

I recommend Fein Tools BLK 2.0 electric nibbler. It's made for 2mm thick (14 gauge) mild steel that is commonly used for control panels. You can also tie a little bag to the die on the inside and catch all the metal chips so there's no mess.

[@raulcotresus]

A guy I worked with uses masking tape to protect the cutting area while he is working on it: Marking, cutting, deburring.

[@TimWilborne]

Great tip! Blue tape works really well as it leaves less residue.

[@이광희-c6q]

Hello, thanks for valuable video. This work step is very rare in internet. By the way, could you let me know which angle grinder blade would be recommended?

[@TimWilborne]

You are welcome. I played with different cut off wheels in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpTRkKl7hqqMhZY

[@이광희-c6q]

@@TimWilborne That is awesome! Many thanks!

[@Wawawy1994]

Hi! If i have choices, Should i go for CNC machining or by hand drilling ? Thank you.

[@TimWilborne]

I would use CNC cutouts whenever possible. Most of our control panels are one of a kind and lead times usually don't allow for this. You should definitely be set up for manual cuts even if you use a CNC for most of it. Nothing looks worse than one crooked cut on a finely machined CNC cut enclosure

[@Wawawy1994]

Thank you sir

[@TimWilborne]

You're welcome

[@dwaynes965]

I do all the drilling cutting but SS I send it to our machine shop.

[@perrettamachineshop]

I manage a shop with 3 CNC vertical Mills and a Horizontal Mill. I get orders for modifying enclosures of various sizes often. I make drill jigs with bushings to put the holes in. If I have to do cutouts they are difficult to fixture on the mills. Without rigid fixturing there's too much vibration. It's faster and easier to do it your way with an angle grinder and cut off wheel.

[@megrobelly]

Hi I am building an automated system and I am close to start working with the enclosure 20x16x8", can I ask questions regarding electronic connections as well? You know plc, SSR, safety relays, etc?

[@Repairs_Electrical_2706]

You can ask me. I will tell you

[@thyubernoob]

We mask our cut lines with two layers of masking tape then drill two holes in opposite corners and cut with a jigsaw...no grind dust, just metal shavings to clean up...just another method for you all..

[@TimWilborne]

Hi Mike, here is a video where we compare cut off wheels to plasmas to jigsaws. Thank you for watching!

[@Hunty49]

@@TimWilborne kzbin.info/www/bejne/bqOseaeonZmVmJI You forgot the link :)

[@TimWilborne]

Part 3 Mounting Control Components can be found at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGTTaXiaecyqpLc Raul Cortes brought up a very good point that I left out in the video about taping surfaces that you will be cutting. It's not as necessary when using that cut off wheel but if you're using a jigsaw to cut a panel, taping the surface of the enclosure will keep vibration from scratching the surface. I prefer blue painter's tape and I don't like to let it sit around more than six months because after that the residue sticks to the panel.

[@anothawhiteboy]

Realistically could I get into panel building and slow make a living off of it?

[@TimWilborne]

Sure, I did!