subject: Sign Making With Rotary Engraving Systems [print this page] Are you looking for a way to expand your sign making business without making a major investment in new equipment? If your shop is not already creating signs, you may want to consider adding this option to your services. In addition to attracting new customers, many sign making companies will outsource engraving work, which can provide your business thousands of dollars in additional income.
A rotary engraver is perfect for creating signs in metal, plastic as well as wood and is capable of creating ADA-compliant signs and 2.5 D and 3D effects which are not possible with a laser. While signs can be created on any size engraving table, sizes of 16" x 12" and larger provide the option of not only creating bigger signs, but also creating multiple sign layouts and using time-saving tools such as an Automatic Raster Braille inserter. This article will discuss ADA sign making with a rotary engraver.
ADA-Compliant Signs
Rotary engravers are the perfect choice for ADA sign making because they provide the beveled cut required for the raised elements within the sign. Since public buildings are now required by law to have ADA signs, supplying them to customers can be highly lucrative. Some shops stay away from ADA sign making because they are unfamiliar with the government rules and regulations and fear that these signs are difficult to create.
However, ADA sign making is really not that hard, especially with Automatic Raster Braille attachment and engraving software, which assists with all spacing, fonts and pictograms used in these signs. The software automatically alerts the user if there are errors in letter height, sizing, spacing or placement of any of the elements so that there is no guesswork in whether or not the sign is compliant.
If you use a rotary engraver as well as engraving software, making an ADA sign is fast and easy. Users can open a job in the software, which includes many standard sign templates, or create their own custom designs. All raised elements, templates, and pictograms in the software are compliant with state and federal regulations.
The first step in ADA sign making is to create a tool path for the raised elements - in this case, the letters and pictogram. The ADA sign making Assistant engraving software automatically creates the tool path for these, and the job is sent over to the controller to cut the raised elements.
The next sign making step is to go back to the engraving software and use the ADA Assistant again to cut the Braille text. Then you send the Braille text job to the controller and the profile cutter is replaced with a Braille cutter.
After starting the job the cutter drills the holes for the Braille beads. If your machine is equipped with an Automatic Raster Braille bead inserter the beads are automatically inserted into the holes using the spring-loaded Braille inserter pen. The result is an ADA sign that is fully compliant with all state and federal laws.
Conclusion
A rotary engraver - combined with the tools and effects available in the latest engraving software - can provide you with countless options when sign making. Exploring the possibilities can provide you with new and profitable opportunities for your business.
