When it comes to traffic signs, many people may think that they are just those cold iron signs on the roadside with arrows, numbers or warnings printed on them. There is nothing special about it. However, if you have stayed in Lu'an for a while, or drove through the streets and alleys of this city, you may have a vague feeling - here Street signs seem to be a little different. It’s not that the design is fancy, but that it has a clear and solid feeling that allows you to quickly find the direction at an unfamiliar intersection. Today we will talk about the things behind the production of traffic signs in Lu’an. You will find that this small sign really hides a lot of secrets.
First of all, it must be said that traffic signs cannot be printed by just finding a factory and printing a few words, especially in places like Lu'an with a complicated terrain. The roads in the old city are narrow and winding, while the new city is open and straight. The requirements for signage in different road sections are actually very different. For example, in the development zone in the south of the city, the road is wide and the speed is fast, so the signage must be larger and the reflective effect must be particularly strong to ensure that drivers can see it clearly from a distance. ; At the entrance of alleys in the old city, the sign may not need to be too big, but the installation position, height and angle must be carefully considered. It must be eye-catching but not block the line of sight. Some local masters of the manufacturer who have been working for more than ten years often say: “Don't underestimate a sign. If you put it right, it will be a helper. If you put it wrong, it will cause trouble. ”
Most of the manufacturers of traffic signs in Lu'an have transformed from traditional metal processing. In their early years, they made agricultural machinery parts and door and window hardware, and later gradually came into contact with the field of road facilities. The advantage of this background is that they are particularly solid in material processing and technology. For example, the bottom plate of signs is now generally made of aluminum alloy, which is corrosion-resistant and lightweight. However, aluminum alloy cutting, folding, and printing For these grinding processes, factories in Lu'an often still retain a lot of manual and mechanical links. The master craftsmen will use their hands to feel whether the edges are smooth, and use their eyes to check whether there is even a slight difference in size. This "homespun method" is sometimes more effective than fully automatic inspection, because traffic signs are exposed to wind and sun all year round, and if the corners are not treated carefully, they will easily rust or crack in advance.
Reflective films are the "eyes" of signs and one of the most technical parts. The films used by manufacturers here in Lu'an can now basically meet the national standards or even higher requirements. But what is interesting is that they pay special attention to the actual local weather conditions. Lu'an is sunny in summer, and occasionally has rain, snow and haze in winter. The durability of reflective film in strong ultraviolet rays and humid environments is very important. The person in charge of one factory told me that in order to test the weather resistance of a new film material, they deliberately exposed the sample on the roof of the factory for a whole year, and regularly checked the color and reflective effect before finally deciding whether to purchase it in bulk. “It's not that I don't believe the test report, it's that the climate here has its own temperament, and it needs to be verified in practice before we can be sure. ”This kind of seriousness may seem like stupid work, but it actually affects the service life of the sign. The design, patterns and text on traffic signs seem to be uniformly stipulated by national standards, but during specific production, the font size, spacing, and color contrast all need to be fine-tuned according to actual road conditions. Some factories in Lu'an will go to the site with the local traffic police department and planning and design units to observe the traffic flow at the intersection, pedestrian habits, and even the obstruction of surrounding trees and buildings. For example, if a certain intersection is prone to misturns, they may suggest adding an auxiliary arrow to the sign. ; Warning signs in school areas may use softer background colors with eye-catching logos to avoid being too glaring. This kind of "customized" thinking makes signs no longer cold instructions, but guides that integrate into the streets.
Installation and maintenance are even more critical. Many of Lu'an's installation teams are local master craftsmen. They know the "temper" of urban roads very well, including where the foundation is soft, where the wind is strong, and which intersection is often hit by trucks. They all have their own accounts in mind, so when fixing signs, they should add If the foundation is deep, it should be deepened, and the reinforced brackets should be reinforced. Even the number of turns of the screws should be paid attention to. The same is true for subsequent maintenance. Regular inspections should be carried out regularly. If stains, tilts or lighting failures are found, they should be dealt with in a timely manner. These tasks are trivial, but they are directly related to whether the signage is always "online" to perform its duties.
At this point, you may think, isn’t this a common process in the manufacturing industry? But in my opinion, the most touching thing about the production of traffic signs in Lu'an is the "local feeling" it conveys. It is not like a standardized industrial product on the assembly line, but more like a public product with local experience. The manufacturers will talk about the seasonal changes in Lu'an and the impact of materials on it. Based on the influence of materials, historical accident cases on a certain road section will be mentioned to improve the signage design, and the visual habits of local drivers and pedestrians will even be taken into consideration. This kind of subtle polishing gives the traffic signage warmth and has become a silent but reliable node in the urban safety network.
Next time you drive through Lu'an, you might as well pay attention to the signs on the roadside. They may be inconspicuous, but behind them are the selection of materials, the mastery of craftsmanship, the consideration of design and the careful maintenance of countless people. The order and warmth of a city are sometimes hidden in these details, and the traffic signs in Lu'an are using their clarity and tenacity to silently guard the smoothness and safety of every street.