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Signmaking
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Lincoln
Logs ...
J.D. Isles writes
about happenings in his sign shop. He shares techniques and
his thoughts about the sign business, CNC, and software.
J.D.'s Lincoln Sign Company is in Lincoln NH, where he
builds signs between runs down the ski slopes.
[Go to J.D.'s Lincoln Logs] |
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CNC in the Sign Shop
ShopBot CNCs are used in signmaking for 3D carving, V-bit carving,
profile contouring, fluting and engraving -- in wood, foam, plastic
and aluminum. Signmakers can now take full advantage of the CNC
process by cutting their own channel letter components, frames,
posts and borders in-house.
Going 3D
A CNC router has become the tool of choice for signmakers moving
beyond printers and vinyl cutters. These tools, linked to sign
design software, have become the central component of many shops,
small and large. ShopBot has led the way in making CNC affordable
for small shops, and the ease of integration of our tools into your
design and production operations is unequaled.
Full 3D cutting capabilities allow cutting and machining of
practically anything, allowing your company to offer a distinctive
look not possible with conventional sandblasted designs.
Furthermore, if you do create sandblasted signs, you can cut the
sign blank & lightly engrave the sign surface for easy alignment of
your masking material using the same vector artwork used to cut the
mask.
[Click here to learn about
adding 3D carving to your CNC Sign Work.]
Signmaking Software
A CNC router also allows you to create your own prismatic and
isoformed letters, giving you complete control over lead times and
the design process. Signmakers are no longer limited in the scale of
their signs by the mechanical limits of their CNC. A number of
CAD/CAM packages are now available that let you panel or slice any
2D or 3D project into manageable components that can be machined
with a few clicks of the mouse. Advanced nesting capabilities also
help you to save on material waste and boost profits.
Some of the Signmakers using ShopBots
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Balch Signs, The Balch's, Malta, NY
www.balchsigns.com,
Dimensional and carved
signage, decals, shirts and banners. |
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Lincoln Sign Company, J.D. Iles,
Lincoln, NH
www.lincolnsign.com, Wooden Carved, Dimensional &
Sandblasted Signs for all of New England and Beyond |
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SignsAlive.net, Mark Di Saverio, Titusville,
Florida
www.signsalive.net,
Custom carved dimensional wood and high-density urethane foam
signage and also engraving on plastic and metal |
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Norman Sign Company, Joe Crumley, Norman, Oklahoma
www.normansignco.com, Quality Signage |
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Express Sign Works, Andy Newcomb,
Indian Trail, NC
5803 West Highway 74, 28079, Sign shop that has just added CNC
cutting to sign making capabilities |
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West Coast Sign Company,
Erik Gastelum, San Diego, CA
www.westcoastsignco.com, Specialists in Electric Signs
and Banners |
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Please
contact us if you would like to be added to this page |
A Recommended Signmaking System
Hardware: A
PRSalpha 96-60 (standard 4x8 sheet size) works well for most sign shops. Because
a lot of sign cutting is usually in foam, there is actually not a need for a spindle
in terms of power -- a router is more than adequate. However,
depending on how much of the day the ShopBot will be running and how
many workers will be in the environment a spindle may be preferable
because it is considerably quieter than a router (see
router vs spindle). So, we've put a 2.25hp
spindle in our recommended sign package. The second question a
sign-maker faces is the hold-down system. If most work will be
carving the surface and not cutting pieces out, then simple fixturing, perhaps with vacuum from a shop vacuum or venturi vacuum,
will probably be all that is needed. If cutting out a variety of
shapes of pieces is anticipated, then the option of a universal
vacuum hold-down system should be considered.
Software:
You can make high quality signs with the
PartWorks software that is
included with your ShopBot. This software will V-carve any font as
well as arbitrary shapes in the way that professional sign
production requires. Our software does not include 3D modeling
tools, but does allow importing 3-D carvings into a sign project. If
in addition to these capabilities, you need to do complex nesting of
parts in large project, we recommend
ArtCAM Insignia.
For doing your own modeling for 3D carving,
ArtCAM Pro is the
software of choice to add to your CNC tool package. We also
recommend one of the 2
Vector Mega Art collections as a great source
of line drawn clip art that has clean vectors, ready for use in CNC
cutting. [See Software
Page][See Software Comparison Table]
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Complete Signmaker's System:

●
PRSalpha 96x60
ShopBot
- Includes steel and extruded
aluminum table (96x60) - Includes ShopBot Control System Software & ShopBot
PartWorks
Design Software
- Includes Z-zero Plate & XY Proximity Switches
●
2.25hp Spindle
(priced as 230v, 3phase, HSD)
●
Starter Bit Kit (8 useful cutters to get you
started; for spindle or router)
●
Vector Mega ClipArt Collection (thousands of clean
clips to enhance signs; 1 of 2 vols)
Sign System Price =
$18,235
Upgrade to a
4hp
Spindle (priced as 230v, 3phase, HSD) ; add $500
Add
ArtCam Insignia
Software; add $3,500
Or, add ArtCam Pro
Software; add $7,500
Include a 16.9hp
Vacuum
Hold-down system
(priced as 230v, 3phase, regenerative blower) add
$6,595
[If you're on a real
budget,
read 'Reducing Costs of
your CNC system']
[Click here for a detailed,
printable, PDF version of ShopBot's current price list] |
ShopBot Resources for Woodworkers
Talk ShopBot Forum
ShopBot CNC Resource Links
Web Resources for Woodworkers
SignWeb
SignSearch
Business Resources for Woodworkers
Sign Business:
http://wwwsignbusinessmag.com
Sign Builder Illustrated:
http://www.signshop.com
Signs Canada: http://www.signscanada.com/
Signs Now:
http://www.signsnow.com
Signs of the Times:
http://www.stmediagroup.com
SignCraft Magazine (sign-up link with pricing guide) :
http://www.signcraft.com
Please
contact us if you would like to be added to this page
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