posted
There's always something new to learn in the sign business. This is our first ADA sign project with Type 2 braille installed. Also pictured is the vacuum plenum I designed to hold the sign blanks perfectly flat for drilling the tiny braille sockets. It took awhile to get the braille translation macro software installed and running, along with collecting the materials, the bits and setting up our CNC equipment, but we can now manufacture custom braille signs. I think this could be a profitable venture.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
They're not too exciting to look at but, I had no idea how much these things cost; 9''x12'' for over $100 each! The customer did the layouts, sent me the vector files and I added the braille translation at the upper right corner. And the customer, owner of another sign shop who subs out work to me, was very pleased with how they turned out and is going to send me a lot more of this. Hey, whatever pays the bills!
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wayne...It is the plain ole bread n' butter jobs that pay the bills...
Not every job has to be a portfolio showpiece "work of art".
The "works of art" make you feel good, but the simple stuff makes the bank account feel good too!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
posted
Agreed. But I didn't design these. Did them for another shop which sent me the vectors of their layouts. I just translated the braille and placed it where they wanted it.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I knew a guy who had a bigger sign shop and he landed a giant job for a hospital, all to be done in braille. Unfortunately his translation technique was not good and he made some major blunders. Three years in court and lost were all the profits.
Just make certain the braille is correct. Sorry to be a naysayer, but measure twice and cut once!
-------------------- Preston McCall 112 Rim Road Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 text: 5056607370 Posts: 1552 | From: Santa Fe, New Mexico | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
OUCH! Thanks. Good advice. I used a translation macro which installs into CorelDraw. It automatically generates the correct size holes (.062") and spaces them. I will certainly double check before doing a big job.
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7403 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
We design sign systems heavy on code/ADA compliance... they don't have to be boring at all, you can make some very nice "artistic" and architectural ADA signs. Many of the apartment signs I have done run into the 10's of thousands. We are planning on jumping into the fabrication ourselves. Starting with the raster/engraving method.
I agree with Preston, some translators can be problematic. I translated braille with Duxbury when I was working at an ADA sign shop. Some translators have had issues with correct translations or do not copy and paste correctly.
The other thing is watching/knowing the ADA code well enough. On these signs... the braille translations have a required placement, some portions of the sign are not complaint to ADA, and in my state, those stair designation signs are not required to have braille and tactile.
Looks great, hope to see more!
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Wayne, Ada signage is a very profitable business and if you get a contract through the schools, governmental buildings and companies, they all are required to have, although some states don't enforce the full gamet of signage.
When I was in Ohio, I found that every job for ADA was quantity based; that means I would be asked to give proposals on entire buildings. Back then it was just the beginning of enforcement. Nowadays, the companies and schools are either wanting it opposed to only wanting not to be in violation.
It used to be also that if they "started" to comply such as build a handicap ramp they could slide for months if not years in their ADA compliance.
Either way it was always a money maker and if you are the source, you can keep the bootie after expenses! I think it is great that you have the production rolling.! Good wishes.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic