Wuchang road sign production, the city’s temperature and order code in the details

When walking on the streets of Wuchang, have you ever noticed the signs on the roadside? They may be so common that we almost turn a blind eye, but to be honest, these seemingly cold combinations of aluminum plates, reflective films and steel pipes actually hide many secrets of the operation of this city. Today we will not talk about the general truth, but the interesting things behind the production of road signs in Wuchang.

You must have had this experience: Driving to an unfamiliar road and seeing a clear and eye-catching guide sign from a distance, I instantly feel at ease, or wandering around in an old alley, and thanks to a small street name sign, I don't let myself get completely "lost". These moments of convenience and safety The feeling does not come out of thin air. Wuchang is a place with wide modern avenues, winding historical districts, and a complex transportation network across rivers and lakes. This determines that the road signs here must not be a "one-size-fits-all" assembly line product.

Let’s talk about the material first. Even though it seems to be “strong” despite being exposed to the weather, the inside is much more sophisticated. Nowadays, the mainstream signboards in Wuchang mostly use high-strength aluminum alloy. Why? The weather in Wuhan is hot and humid in the summer and cold in the winter. Ordinary iron plates are easy to rust. Aluminum alloy has good corrosion resistance, long life, and is relatively light in weight. It puts little pressure on the supporting structure. The reflective film on the surface is even more critical, especially at night or on rainy days. Whether the driver can see clearly at a glance depends on the reflective performance of the film. Nowadays, engineering grade or high-strength grade reflective film is commonly used, and some better sections even use diamond grade to ensure that it is clearly visible under various lighting conditions. This money cannot be saved.

In terms of production technology, it is no longer a simple matter of "cutting a piece of board and applying some paint". Starting from receiving the planning drawings, digital typesetting and design must be carried out first. Chinese characters, pinyin, arrows, distance information, their fonts, sizes, spacing, and colors (white characters on a blue background and white characters on a green background have strict national standards) are all regulated to the millimeter, especially for Chinese character fonts. It is usually a specially made traffic-specific font, which is thicker and easier to read than ordinary printed fonts. Every stroke is considered. Then large-scale CNC equipment is used for cutting, punching, and folding to ensure that the edges are smooth and flat without burrs. The printing or laminating process must be carried out in a dust-free environment. A little bit of dust or air bubbles may become a hidden danger of delamination and peeling in the future.

Welding and reinforcement are both physical and technical tasks. The welded joints of columns and beams must be full and firm. After anti-rust treatment (such as hot-dip galvanizing), they are then sprayed with durable exterior paint. The installation process is even more "practical". Many roads in Wuchang have complex underground pipelines, and you have to be careful when digging foundation pits for fear of "accidentally injuring" other cities. For the city’s lifeline, there are strict standards for how deep the poles of the sign should be buried and how long the foundation concrete should be cured. In order to be able to withstand strong winds, the installation angle is also sophisticated. It should not only make it most comfortable for drivers in the main driving direction, but also consider the impact on pedestrians and surrounding buildings to avoid becoming a visual obstruction.

What’s more worth mentioning is that Wuchang, as a city with profound heritage, will also incorporate some special design elements into the production of road signs around some historical and cultural blocks and scenic spots. They may be more elegant in color, or use antique shapes and patterns to make the signs themselves become part of the neighborhood style and less obtrusive. This "little thought" reflects the respect of the producers and planners for the cultural texture of the city.

Therefore, a qualified road sign was "born" and put on duty in Wuchang. It has gone through design, material selection, production, installation, and acceptance. It is a rigorous "combination punch". It not only tells you "what road is ahead", but also silently conveys the order, safety and humanistic care of the city. Next time you will If you pass by it again, you might as well take a second look at it. Behind the regular words and reflective surface is a set of thoughts and practices on how to make the city run more efficiently and more friendly. It stands there, rain or shine, and is itself a silent and reliable service. The smoothness of the city cannot be separated from these "silent guides".