A few months ago, my sons and I, and good friend, Tyston Stuart, teamed together to open a start-up tire and auto accessory business next door to WPC Services, and almost across the street from the sign shop.

几个月前，我和我的儿子以及好朋友泰斯顿斯图尔特一起合作，在WPC服务公司旁边开了一家新开的轮胎和汽车配件公司，而街对面是一个标识公司。 

 

It was a nervy thing to do. Ask me in five years whether it was a smart move or not, but one of the immediate challenges that had to be met was designing and building a large, custom lighted sign that would give the kind of exposure a brand new venture needs.

成立这个汽车配件公司搞得我很紧张，五年后再问我，这是不是一个明智的决定，我承认这对我们来说的确非常困难，许多挑战都把我们弄得措手不及，但我依然不后悔成立了它。我记得很清楚我们需要为自己弄一个全新的公司标识，以扩大我们的知名度，这给我们带来了前所未有的挑战。 

 

Rick’s Sign Co. is a small commercial sign company, and because of changes in our crew recently I currently am the only fabricator I have on staff and have to be careful taking on projects that I cannot basically construct on my own. But our WPC workforce is a bit larger and well-equipped with machinery and fabrication know-how, so we teamed together to handle this sizeable project.

瑞克标识公司（Rick’s Sign Co. ）是一家小型的商业标识公司，由于当时我们的团队发生了变化，目前我是唯一的一名制作人员，我必须谨慎从事那些我基本上无法独自完成的项目。但WPC服务公司的员工规模很大，拥有良好的机械设备和制造技术，所以我们合作来处理这个庞大的项目。 

 

My son, Sloan, had designed a logo for this new business a while back and roughed in a sign layout as well. He turned the final design work and scaling over to me, and once the details and dimensions were naiLED down, most of the WPC Services crew worked along with my two sons and me to get the project completed.

我的儿子斯隆(Sloan)不久前为这家新公司设计了一个标识，还粗略地设计了一个标识布局方案。他把最终的设计工作交给了我，一旦确定好细节和尺寸，WPC服务公司的大部分服务人员就会和我的两个儿子一起完成这个项目。

 

One Saturday I cut all the sign skin panels out of aluminum laminate, with a brushed aluminum finish, as well as all of the parts for two large 3D logos. This was done on one of the CNC machines at WPC, and I also made a full-sized pattern of the sign shape using several 4‘x 8’ sheets of corrugated plastic, which would be duct taped together. This would allow two large steel tubing frames to be constructed accurately over a perfectly cut pattern.

一个周六，我切割了所有的标识面板，以及两个大型3D标识的所有部件，然后拉丝铝装饰，这都是在WPC服务公司的一台数控切割机上完成的，我还用几张波纹塑料做了一个标识所需形状的图案，把它们粘在一起，用两个大的钢管框架精确地构建在一起。

 

e new tire and accessory shop across from the sign shop needed a special sign, and this was the starting point, an old sign to come down and a very custom replacement, as seen in this Photoshop preview.

标识店对面的新轮胎和配件店需要一个标识，我们用旧标识的架子改造一个新的标识，右侧即为Photoshop预览效果图。

The original sign pole, minus an old sign we cut down, would be our onsite starting point, but this new sign would be much larger, and built like an oversize monument sign, going from the ground up. It would have large three-dimensional backlit logos and a large lighted wrap-around sign with the company name below the logo.  All lighting would be provided via LEDs, and the halo lighting behind the logo would involve an LED controller that would facilitate color changes in sequence, giving the sign a cool visual effect at night.

我们用的以前一个旧标识的支架，我们把最初的旧标识去掉，这就成了我们新标识的起点，但这个新的标识更大，是一个崛地而起的超大纪念碑标识。它有三维背光标识和一个大的照明环绕标识，标识下方刻有公司名称。所有的照明都是LED灯，而标识背后的光晕也是有LED灯产生的，它能产生渐变色，在晚上给标识一个惊艳的视觉效果。

 

The WPC fabrication crew, LED by Slade and including Juan Navarro, one of our best welders, constructed the large tubular framework that would be the structural part of this double-sided sign. Donny, another of our WPC staff, cut all the tubing components on a Do-All horizontal metal bandsaw, changing the angles of cutting as required to create the sign’s asymmetrical shape.

由斯莱德领导的WPC制造团队建造了这个大型标识框架，将是这个双面标识的结构部分。 这个团队包括我们最好的焊工之一胡安·纳瓦罗(Juan Navarro)在内，我们WPC的另一名员工唐尼(Donny)用水平金属带锯上的所有框架部件，根据需要改变切割角度，以创造出不对称的形状。 

 

Most of the parts were cut on WPC’s old waterjet, as well as full size corrugated plastic patterns.

大部分零件是使用WPC的旧水射流切割机切割的，包括图上的波纹塑料图案。

 

The multi-part pattern was assembLED WPC shop floor so the welding could begin.

在WPC车间进行多部件模式组装，这样焊接就变得容易很多。

Next door on the job site, Sloan and Juan cut away the old existing sign structure that had been welded in place, and later, after we became suspicious of the depth of the pole in the ground and the integrity of its concrete footing, they set another one next to it for good measure. This was the best way to guarantee the posts and concrete foundation could handle the sizeable wind load this sign would bear.

在工作现场的隔壁，斯隆和胡安切掉了已经焊接到位的旧的现有标识结构，后来，我们开始怀疑地面杆的深度和混凝土基础的完整性，于是他们又把杆子设置在另一个旁边，为了确保混凝土基础可以承受住这个标识支柱，知识我们所知的最佳方法。

 

When constructing the large framework built with 2-inch steel square tubing, the crew added a very important feature that I would not have thought of; a pair of receivers or rectangular tubing sleeves to accommodate forklift forks for lifting it into place over the existing pole.

在建造用2英寸钢制方管制造的大型框架时，工作人员增加了一个我不会想到的非常重要的特征： 一对接收器或矩形管套，用于容纳叉车叉，以便将其提升到标识支架上上。

 

This simple feature would eliminate the expense of hiring a crane, and the forklift friendly design also meant that moving the sign from WPC to the new tire shop and holding it in place while the welding was done was simpler and more stable than would be the case with a crane. A forklift was readily available anyway.

这个简单的功能省下雇佣一个起重机的费用，叉车合理的设计也能把标识从WPC店里搬出来，使用叉车会比起重机更稳定更简单。

 

The main structure, all made from light wall two-inch steel tubing. Slade and Donny built two huge frames to go back to back, on top of the corrugated plastic pattern.

主体结构全部由两英寸钢管制成，斯莱德和唐尼在波纹塑料图案的上面搭了两个巨大的框架。

Juan Navarro, who did a lot of the welding for the project, stands by one of the completed frame members.

胡安·纳瓦罗为这个项目做了很多焊接工作。

Rick and Juan teamed together for the fabrication of two large 3-D logos, made from .090 mill finish aluminum.

里克和胡安联手制作两个大型3D标识，标识由0.090铝制成。

Before welding, parts of the edge trim were formed over simple shop items to make the edges of the large logos.

在焊接之前，边缘装饰的部分是在简单的商店物品上形成的，用来制作大型标识的边缘。 

 

After hundreds of tack welds, the first of the large logos is nearing completion with Juan and Rick working as a team, but the second one would be up to Rick to assemble solo.

胡安和里克作为一个团队，经过数百次的钉焊，第一个大标识已经接近完成，但第二个将由里克独自组装。

One significant task that Juan and I tackLED together was fabricating and welding the two very large raised logos, all made from .090 aluminum, approximately 5’ x 7’ in size. The edge depth was 2 1/2” to hide the LED lighting. A top layer in a second color would be mounted offset from the hollow part of the logo. The colors, powder coated, were basically highlighter yellow and royal purple.

胡安和我共同完成的一项重要任务是制作和焊接两个非常大的凸起的标识，它们都是由0.090铝制成的，尺寸约为5 x 7英寸，2.5深度的边缘可以隐藏LED零件。第一层的第二种颜色将被安装在标识的中空部分的偏移位置上，粉末涂层的颜色分别是是亮黄色和紫色。

 

Juan and I worked as a team on the first logo, with me cutting the trim pieces to fit, forming them and holding them in place while Juan did the aluminum tack welding all around. But I found myself alone at the shop late one Friday working into the night to make the second one. With only two hands, not four, it was a bit more of a challenge. But with assists from some odd-slotted weights, I made to keep the edge trim in place and perpendicular while I tack-welded it, step by step the job was completed. After some prep work, cleaning and sanding, those two hollow logos would be headed to the powder coating booth.

胡安和我作为一个团队合作完成了第一个标识，我将装饰件切割成相应的形状，并将它们固定在合适的位置，而胡安则在四周进行铝钉焊接。还记得有一个星期五，我发现自己一个人在店里工作到深夜，单独工作压力的确有点大，但是在一些重型机器的帮助下，我焊接的时候尽力保持边缘的平衡和垂直，一步一步地完成了工作。经过一些清洁和抛光的准备工作，这两个空心标识将前往涂料间。

 

Slade and crew worked on the large wrap-around box sign with the company name cut out, backlit with LED’s through white plex inserts. The aluminum pans which were to become the faces were formed on a press brake and later would be beautifully powder coated.

斯莱德和他的团队设计了一个巨大的标识包装，采用白色plex插件的LED，这些铝盘在压弯机上形成，后来我们为它涂上了鲜艳的粉末。

 

Heavy scrap steel plugs were used as weights to hold the aluminum edging in place to help make the logo fabrication a one-man job. A slotted member to hold the trim in place and perpendicular was welded to each weight.

沉重的废钢塞被用作砝码来固定铝边，以保持适当的修剪和垂直焊接到每个零件，让标识开槽一个人也可以完成。

 

The prep begins prior to powder coating the large logos.

准备开始之前用粉末涂标识。

The completed framework is lifted in place with a forklift for a pre-fitting, but we would add a second pole before actually welding it in place.

完成的框架用叉车吊在适当的位置进行预装，但在实际焊接之前，我们会添加第二根杆子。

The guys had a great idea of welding tubing sleeves for fork lift forks to make maneuvering the framework over the pole structure an easy task.

这些人有一个伟大的想法，焊接油管套管叉升降机叉，这样操纵框架结构就变成了一个简单的任务。

All logo parts and sign components were powder coated, not painted.

所有的标识部件和标识组件的外层是粉末涂层，而不是油漆。

The same exact hole pattern was used for both logos. After marking the logo, hole drilling is done, and the folded pattern waits to be used on the second logo.

两个标识采用了相同的孔型。在标识完成后，钻孔完成，折叠图案等待在第二个标识上使用。

Slade installs all the LEDs for backlighting the 3-D logos for the top part of the sign.

斯莱德安装了所有的LED灯，用于对标识顶部的3D标识进行反向照明。

Sloan and his crew did the powder coating of those two large sign cans, plus the raised logos and their contrasting overlay cutouts that went on the front of each logo.  I made the standoff mounts to hold them the right distance from the sign itself for the halo lighting. I also made a full-size install pattern from corrugated plastic and would get the job of installing those large 3-D logos using my old bucket truck. Slade’s crew erected the main structure using an available forklift and instalLED the two lighted company name signs while standing on the ground.

我制作了支架，支架要与标识灯箱保持合适的距离，我还用瓦楞塑料制作了一个大尺寸的安装图案，并且用旧斗式卡车安装这些大型3D标识。斯莱德的工人使叉车架设了主体结构，并在地面时安装两个带灯的公司名称标识。

 

Slade had wired the logos with plenty of LEDs, which were connected to a controller that would cause the lighting behind the large raised logos to slowly rotate through a variety of colors, all reflected nicely off the brushed aluminum finish of the sign’s exterior. He also instalLED all the LED lighting for the 3’ x 10’ company name signs, which worked very well, and all the LED electronics should provide maintenance-free performance for years to come.

斯莱德在标识上安装了大量LED灯，这些灯与一个控制器相连，控制器会使巨大凸起的标识背后的灯光在各种颜色中缓慢渐变，所有这些灯都在标识外部拉丝铝饰面上反射得很好。他还为公司的标识安装了LED，最后效果非常好，而且所有的LED电子产品在未来几年都有免维护的性能。

 

No paint was used on the sign, since all the metal sign components were powder coated, not painted. As mentioned, the sign's skin was made of pre-finished aluminum laminate, requiring no other coating. Only the large tire tread pattern done in was plotted black vinyl.

标识上没有油漆，因为所有的金属标识部件都是粉末喷涂的，如前所述，该标识的表面是预先完成的铝层压板，不需要其他涂层。只有大的轮胎胎面花纹是用黑色乙烯基包装的。

 

This sign, basically an overgrown monument sign, is quite large. Approximately 14 ft tall and about 11 ft wide at the top and half that at the bottom, plus the company name sign wraps around and extends past the main structure. But the size is probably not as important as the design, colors and nighttime lighting are.

这基本上是一个巨型纪念碑标识，非常大，大约14英尺高，公司的名称标识环绕着主要结构，顶部约11英尺宽，底部一半宽，但尺寸可能没有设计、颜色和夜间照明那么重要。

 

The full-sized corrugated plastic hole pattern is used here for logo No. 2 and will be used to mark the location for the stand-offs on both sides of the sign itself.

2号标识采用波纹塑料孔型，并将在标识本身的两侧标示出立柱的位置。

Slade prepares to assemble one of the internally illuminated 3’ x 10’ company name signs.

斯莱德准备组装一个有公司名称的灯箱。

Holes where the stand-offs will mount are accurately located using the same large pattern used to drill mounting holes in the logos. 

在标识上钻安装孔，定位出安装点。

Easier on the ground than in the air, the brightly-colored overlays for the logos are set in place temporarily and drilLED for mounting with powder coated screws later.

在地面上比在空中更容易，荧光黄色的组件可以在标识上确定好位置，再用粉末涂层螺钉安装。

 

With Rick in the bucket and extra manpower on the ground, the large logos are set in place over standoffs previously.

里克在上面安装标识，其他人在下面帮忙。

If the goal was to create something the highway traffic just cannot overlook, I think we succeeded. Just a week or two after it was instalLED, I found myself giving directions to someone who was headed to the sign shop, and I said, “when you come to the Royal Tire sign on the right, we will be two doors down on the left.”

如果目标是创造一些高速公路交通上让人过目不忘的东西，我认为我们成功了，就在它安装一两个星期后，我在给一个要去标识店的人指路，我说：“当你看到右边的皇家轮胎标识时，我们就在左边两个门后面。”

The caller immediately remarked, “Oh, I know exactly where that sign is. I can find you now, thanks.” Which meant for that client, finding a 10-year-old location of a 45-year-old business was made much easier because of a landmark that had been up all of two weeks. I guess we did alright with that Royal Tire sign, which was already becoming a local landmark… but now I need to work on my own sign!

打电话的人马上说：“哦，我知道那个标识的确切位置。我现在就能找到你，谢谢。”这意味着，对于这位客户来说，找到一家拥有45年历史的企业10年历史的地点变得容易得多，因为这个标识这家企业的业绩已经持续上涨了整整两周，这次成为一个里程碑式的举措。我想我们在皇家轮胎标识上做得还不错，它已经成为了当地的地标，但现在我需要做我自己的标识。

 

This project involved the skilLED work of several members of two companies, acting as specialized crews depending on the task being done, sometimes working together, and sometimes individually. From the design itself to the cutting of all individual parts, welding and fabrication, prep and powder coating, LED wiring, and onsite installation, this was a team effort for sure.

这个项目多亏两家公司的全体员工的团结协作，他们根据需要完成的任务合理分工，有时一起工作，有时单独工作。从设计标识，切割所有单独的部件，焊接和制造，准备和粉末涂料，LED布线，以及现场安装，这无疑是一个团队努力的结果。

 

And when the new business opened, one thing it had going for it was a sign out front that passing motorists would not be able to ignore. Which was just what the new venture needed to get open, and to bring clients in for years to come.   

当这个新公司开业时，前面的标识让过往的驾驶者无法忽视，这正是新公司所需要的，这个标识将在未来几年一直为公司扩大知名度。

Here the top layer of the logo is being instalLED, offset with spacers to add more 3D character to the finished sign.

在现在安装标识的表面的荧光层，尽量避免零件之间有太多间隙。

The final sign quickly became a local landmark, day or night.

这个标识很快成为当地的地标，无论白天黑夜都吸引着人们。 

 

A controller is used to have the LED backlighting of the logos change color ever few seconds.

该标识还可以通过控制器让LED每隔几秒钟就改变颜色。