In the production and processing of traffic signs, if you do not pay attention to these process details, be careful to fail the acceptance!

Speaking of traffic signs, everyone sees them every day when driving and walking. They think it is just a piece of iron with patterns and words printed on it. However, only those who have actually done this work know that there is a lot of depth inside. A qualified traffic sign, from the design drawing to the final erection on the road, is a lot of experience. The production and processing process cannot be solved by just finding a workshop. Today we will break it down and talk about the hard-core process requirements for the production and processing of traffic signs. If you are preparing to purchase or enter the industry, do not step into these pitfalls.

There is no room for sloppiness when it comes to materials.  Do you think just getting an aluminum plate or iron plate will do? Big mistake! Commonly used bottom plate materials, such as aluminum alloy plates, have clear requirements for thickness, hardness, and tensile strength in national standards. For signs commonly used on urban roads, the thickness of aluminum plates generally ranges from 1.5mm to 3.0mm. If they are too thin, they will easily deform and warp, and they will become "wavy boards" before they are installed. ； If it is too thick, it will be costly and difficult to install. Moreover, the aluminum material must be anti-rust. Some small factories use recycled materials or inferior alloys. Over time, white spots will appear on the surface due to oxidation. It is unsightly and the strength will also decrease. The reflective film is the core of the core. You have to According to the usage scenario of the sign (such as highways, urban roads, rural roads) and grade requirements, select the corresponding grade of film, including engineering grade, high-strength grade, and diamond grade. The reflective effects and durability are very different. Want to get away with a low-grade film? If the car lights are on at night and the lights are not on as they should be, then just wait for something to happen.

Next is blanking and forming, which are basic skills and where equipment and technology are best reflected.  Cutting aluminum plates is not about cutting paper with scissors. The edges must be smooth and smooth, without burrs or cracks. Nowadays, better factories use CNC cutting machines, which have high precision and high efficiency. Forming is mainly for signs that require curling, bending or special shapes, such as some large signs or frames that require folding. To enhance the strength, the bending angle and arc radius must be precise, otherwise the holes will not match up when assembled later, or the overall frame will be crooked, and it will look awkward when installed. I have seen some rough work, and cracks appeared on the aluminum plates at the bends. This strength does not meet the requirements at all, and it is pure fooling.

The focus is on surface treatment and the production of graphics and text.  After the aluminum plate is cut and formed, it must first be thoroughly cleaned and degreased to remove oil and dust, otherwise the reflective film will not stick firmly, and will bubble and fall off in minutes later. Before applying the film, the base plate must be slightly roughened with a sander or chemical method to increase adhesion. Applying reflective film is a technical job and requires a clean and dust-free environment. When operating in a dust-free workshop, workers have to use a professional scraper to carefully scrape the film from the center to all sides to completely exhaust the air. There should be no bubbles or impurities. After the film is pasted, it must be compacted with a roller press. If there are bubbles or dust in this step, it will be like a grain of sand getting into the mobile phone film. Not to mention excessive reaction, and seriously affecting the reflective effect and lifespan.

The production of text and patterns is now commonly done by computer lettering or screen printing.  A computer engraving machine engraves the pattern and text on the reflective film, and then pastes it manually or with the help of a transfer film. This requires high engraving precision, especially for complex graphics and small text. The strokes must be clear and coherent, and they must be aligned when pasting. They must not be crooked or wrinkled. Screen printing is suitable for large quantities of signs with fixed patterns. It requires extremely high adhesion and weather resistance of the ink, and it must be able to withstand the sun and rain for many years.

Assembling and packaging.  After the sign itself is ready, it must be equipped with columns and connecting parts (such as hoops and bolts). These parts must also be hot-dip galvanized or spray-coated for anti-corrosion treatment, and the strength must meet the standard. During assembly, all bolts must be tightened, and spring washers and flat washers must be added. It can be used less to prevent it from loosening over time. Packaging and transportation should not be underestimated. Especially signs with a film on the surface must be protected with protective film or bubble bags to prevent scratches. They must be fixed when loading to avoid deformation or coating damage caused by bumps and collisions during transportation.

A traffic sign may look simple, but in fact, every process from material selection, cutting, pasting, printing to assembly has strict process standards. It is not only a "decoration" on the roadside, but also a functional product related to traffic safety. Cutting corners and substandard workmanship will ultimately harm others and ourselves. Therefore, both the manufacturer and the purchaser must be in awe and do every detail in place. After all, safety cannot tolerate "just enough".