Meaning of "Dimensional Sign"

[carlosgmarroquin]

There are terms that for me, an english speaking person as a second language, that are dificult to grasp entirely.

Could somebody explain, please, when you say "dimensional sign" against simply "sign" what is the difference or what is the meaning.

Thank you

[chodges]

I don't know if there is a precise universal definition of this term, but in our market we use it to refer to signs which rely on graphics and text at elevations substantially different from the sign background so that the resulting "3D" look is an important attribute which compliments the overall appearance of the sign. By contrast, a simple engraved sign looks flat because the engraving is so shallow into the sign face.

To say this another way, we refer to signs with deeply carved graphics or text and signs with graphics and text considerably raised from the background as "dimensional signs."

Hope this helps!

[pro70z28]

Here's a dimensional sign I just finished for our church. It's a combination of oak & foam core board letters with a mirror laminate face & brushed chrome vinyl insert. Done on the ShopBot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/CutCoffeeShopSign.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/DryingCoffeeShopSign.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/CoffeeShopSign.jpg


and some dimensional letters on the wall. Same mirror foam core with a flat black vinyl insert

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/goForthServe.jpg

[pete]

That sign just turned out super Gary, well done.
What are the dimensions pls. Looks like .75" oak boards glued together as the base material.

[pro70z28]

Thanks. Yes, it's 3/4 oak. Foam core is 1/2''. Sign is just over 2'x3'.

[blackhawk]

This topic hits on something that I am struggling with for advertising. I am getting ready to have some new magnetic signs made for my truck. My old signs read "Custom Routed Signs" for one line of my services. Is this a good generic sign term that the lay person would understand. I wonder if "Custom Dimensional Signs" or "Custom Architectural Signs" would be better advertisement.

[pro70z28]

I call them CNC cut signs or CNC cut letters.
I have called them Dimensional or Architectural. In any case I get asked to explain how they are made.

The coffee shop sign above, I told them I sat on the back porch & whittled it with my pocket knife. I had to smile at a couple people to let them know I was kidding.

[joewino]

On my vehicle I just advertise "Signs and Graphics" and that seems to cover everything we do.

On our business cards there is a listing of "Custom Dimensional Signage" which seems to describe our specialty.

Over the years I've found if you do a banner for someone they seem to think that is all you do...same is true for dimensional work. I've stopped trying to describe it all.

[joe]

Congratulations Gary,

You did a great job. Please show us more of your talent.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[powerlsc]

Nice contrast with the wood and chrome.

I just got my machine and am interested in the mechanics of your sign. Is the mirror laminate glued or epoxied to the HUD then cut out? If so what bit did you use and is the laminate cut face up or down?

Thanks for sharing your pictures.

[shawnn82]

That's an awesome sign Gary, I just got my shopbot a few months back and am still learning. I am curious as to how you cut the Foam core letters for the higher grounds sign? And what bit did you use?
Thanks

[pro70z28]

The foam core comes with the mirror face already laminated to it.
I tried cutting the foam core face down, didn't work so good. I cut it face up with a 2 flute carbide spiral up bit. You would think an up spiral bit would lift the foam core off the table but it worked fine. I cut it in 2 passes, that way the mirror face cut clean to the end and the second pass cut them loose.
I had a problem with denting the mirror face on the "Z" axis plunge. No matter how slow I set it. I finally fixed it by ramping up the RPMs as the bit plunged through the material and then slow it back down before it started the X, Y cut.
It took about 12 hours to cut all the letters (A little over 1 1/2 sheets of 4'x8' material. I cut letters for signs throughout the church.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v205/pro70z28/WelcomwCenterWall.jpg

This header behind the Welcome Center was another SHopBot project. I cut the framework on the ShopBot to get the proper curve. More foam core letters too.

[pro70z28]

Forgot to mention, I did the fluted posts on the Bot too.