The Life of the Lighted Sign
灯箱标识的发展前景
Recall, if you can, the first time you checked under the hood of a car. What did you see underneath the attractive paint and protective, contoured metal? To young kid it probably looked like a mish-mash of random parts which you assumed somehow worked together to make the vehicle go.
此刻，回想一下，在你第一次翻开汽车引擎盖检查时，你被什么吸引住了，是油漆？金属？还是防护的一些材料？如果是个孩子，他会认为引擎盖里的部件只是随意零碎摆放的。
To the uninitiated, looking at the innards of an electric sign cabinet can be just as confusing as that young kid's first peek at a small-block V8 Hemi engine—a network of closely operating components meant to bring light to this particular display. But to sign professionals—especially those in the electrical sign market—the same view can be like a work of art.
而当一个外行人第一次看到电子灯箱的内部构造时，会像孩子看到汽车引擎盖内部一样，一个个紧密的电子元件，同样感到杂乱无章。但是，对于标识行业的专业人士来说，就完全不一样了，他们会觉得那是一件艺术品。
And it's the core of the lighting elements in a sign cabinet that makes it perform most effectively. For sure there's more than one way to light a cabinet sign, but the one that is becoming more and more ubiquitous is LEDs.
它是灯箱中照明组件的核心，能为灯箱发挥有效地作用。现在，灯箱的种类不再局限一两种，越来越普及的要属LED电子灯箱了。
Specific to LED, much technology has been upgraded to allow sign cabinets to look attractive but also run efficiently. Factors such as product life, brightness, size and affordability have been adjusted in recent years to better fit with sign projects. This is a benefit to sign makers, but also a challenge to keep up with all the improvements, and to know what’s available on the market.
说到LED技术，已经相当成熟，不仅能使灯箱看起来美观，还能高效运行。近年来，LED产品的寿命、亮度、尺寸和负担能力等因素得到了调整和优化，能更好地发挥作用，为整个市场都带来了极大的利益。
“Remember our sign industry has no standards for performance, brightness, life cycle benefits and costs, energy consumption, etc., so the burden is on the sign shop to get educated,” says Fritz Meyne Jr., vice president sales atBitro Group, Inc., which offers LED solutions across several different sign applications, including the scalable Lattice 3G grid system that features brightness and depth options.
BITro集团副总裁Fritz Meyne Jr.表示：“有一点要注意的是，我们标识行业对产品的性能、亮度、生命周期、能源消耗等没有制定一个明确的标准，所以标识商店需要进行合理的改进和规划。” 因此，只有对产品的进一步改进才能为应用领域提供不同的解决方案，包括具有亮度和深度选项的3G网格化系统。
“If you need a one-off, so to speak," Meyne says, "or you're fulfilling a program where choosing the incorrect solution might come back and bite you real hard, you have to do your research first.”
Meyne补充道：“当你正在做一个项目，如果选择了不正确的解决方案，可能会产生很多不利的因素，因此，你必须清楚如何选择合适的产品。”
Finding the Best Fit
寻找最适合的产品
The type of LED used in a sign cabinet project can make a world of difference. And with so much available on the market, sign makers may need some assistance in finding the best fit.
使用不同类型的LED可以产生不同的效果。在市场上，要从种类众多的产品中选择合适的，标识制造商可能需要一些帮助才能做到。
“Most LEDs today are surface mount devices (SMD) and are most common in LED modules,” says Bryan Vincent, Ph.D., a partner at Principal LED. “At Principal LED we utilize a chip-on-board (COB) process for our Fusion modules, which allows for better heat dissipation and extended life. Regardless, LED technology has evolved to the point that as long as the module is designed to dissipate the heat generated in the module effectively, LED modules will last at least 50,000 hours.”
Principal LED的合作伙伴Bryan Vincent博士说：“目前，市面上大多数LED都是采用表面贴装器件（SMD），在Principal LED，我们为Fusion模组采用了基板上芯片封装，帮助产品更好的散热，并延长产品的使用寿命。无论如何，LED技术已经非常先进了，能持续至少50,000小时有效地散发热量。”
“LED is a technology driven product,” Meyne says. “Chip packages change more often than not and performance parameters are increasing just as the computer market has. More performance at less costs.”
Meyne说：“LED是一种技术驱动的产品，芯片包更换频率高，性能参数不断在增加，力求以最低成本来实现更多的性能。”
The Sum of All Parts
所有零件的总和
Specific to sign cabinets, there are other important parts in addition to the lighting components that must work together to create a working sign. These parts—including the power pack, the frame, panels, brackets and face material—can have a big impact on how the sign’s LED components perform.
灯箱标识的内部除了有照明组件之外，还有其他重要的部件，它们必须一同工作才能完成标识的创建。这些部件包括电源组件，机架，面板，支架和面材，每一个部件都会对LED组件的性能产生很大的影响。
“Face material can definitely affect light quality,” explains Vincent. “Polycarbonate and flex face materials typically do not diffuse the light as well as a good acrylic. Most LED companies can recommend the right product and/or spacing, depending upon the depth of the sign and the face material used. You should definitely confirm this information prior to starting a retrofit project.”
Vincent解释说：“面料会影响光质，聚碳酸酯和柔性面材通常不会散光，大多数LED公司可以根据使用面料的深度来推荐正确的产品。在开始改造项目之前，客户一定要确认此信息。”
Meyne agrees, adding that the versatility of LEDs can have an impact on sign face materials as well. “With LED illumination being direct and even indirect, the face material can have a positive or sometimes a negative effect," he says.
Meyne同意他的观点，补充说：“LED的多功能性也会对材料产生影响，有可能带来正面影响，也有可能带来负面影响。”
As LED technology has gained in popularity it has affected how the other components of a sign cabinet function together.
随着LED技术越来越重要，它开始影响灯箱内部其他组件的运作。
“There are extrusions that offer some challenges when considering LED, typically based on the simple fact that most current extrusions were based and designed on fluorescent options,” Meyne says. “With the advent of direct illumination from LED, extrusion manufacturers are now offering solutions relative to LED.”
Meyne表示：“在选择LED的种类时，在挤压基础和荧光设计的选项上，会出现一些问题，但制造商能提供相应的解决方案。”
The Advantage
优势
As many sign makers are probably aware, there is more than one way to propose a new sign project. Materials can vary, which affects the price, and ultimately the end result. Take for example using fluorescent lighting instead of LEDs; the customer will receive an entirely different kind of illuminated sign. The brightness of light emitted is typically the biggest difference.
许多标识制造商了解，一个新的项目需要有多种解决方案。不同材料有不同的价格，最终导致效果也不一样。例如，使用荧光灯，客户将收到完全不同的照明标识，照明选项之间最大的区别在于光的亮度不同。
“Brightness might be the first option to consider as fluorescents offer very accepted illumination,” says Meyne. “So we always ask if the new or retrofit might be mounted near an existing fluorescent sign. If so, you should use an LED system that meets or exceeds the fluorescent brightness.
Meyne说“亮度可能是客户第一个考虑的点，荧光灯是大部分客户能接受的，所以很多客户经常会问，荧光灯是否出新的了。如果荧光灯一直没有出新，那你应该去使用比荧光灯更亮的LED。”
Vincent points to four advantages that LEDs have over other lighting options. In his words, they are the following:
Vincent指出，LED具有其他照明的四个优点。如下：
"LEDs offer extended life over most fluorescent lamps. Keep in mind that fluorescent lamps 'rated life' are given at the point at which half of them statistically burn out.
在同一个生命周期内，LED比大多数荧光灯的使用寿命要长。
"LED do not dim in cold weather conditions. Fluorescent lamps can lose up to half their output in the dead of winter, while LEDs do not dim as a function of temperature.
即使在寒冷的天气条件下,LED也不会受温度影响而减弱亮度，但荧光灯容易受气温和环境的影响，从而损失一半以上的能量。
"LED are small and with specialized optics, sign makers can create signs that are lower profile (i.e., thinner) without having striping or hot spots.
LED外观小，具有专门的光学元件，因此，标牌制造商可以制造一些较薄的标识，同时也不会产生皱纹。
"LED typically require less power. Although luminous efficiencies for LEDs may be only marginally better than new T-8 fluorescent lamps, their directional output allows you to get a higher percentage of the light directed to the face of the sign."
LED的功率小。虽然LED的发光率可能比新型T-8荧光灯稍微好一些，但是LED光源的的输出方向，可以覆盖整个标识的光线面积。
LEDs vsFluorescents
LED与荧光灯
Is it fair to declare LEDs better than fluorescent lights? Well, in this case, “better” is a very subjective word.
那么，LED与荧光灯相比，前者比后者要更好吗？事实上，“更好”是一个非常主观的词而已。
According to Meyne, the user can define which option is suitable for the project. “If absolute minimum costs drive your decision, then fluorescent and/or channel letter modules are your best choice.
按照Meyne说的方法，用户可以根据产品的一些选项来判断是否适用于该项目。如果你考虑最低成本的，那么荧光灯会是你最佳的选择。
"As with all manufacturing, one single cheap price can cost more in other areas. As an example, channel letter modules used for cabinet lighting require more labor and increased installation liability. I have literally been in shops where four of five people are mounting hundreds, if not thousands, of tiny LED modules in large double-faced cabinets.”
与所有制造业一样，单一廉价的产品放在其他领域，成本会高一些。例如，用于灯箱照明的字母模块需要更多的劳动力，因此会提高价格。在商场里，百分之九十的商店都在大型双面柜中安装了成百上千的LED模组。
However, there are LED options that represent more attractive solutions for sign makers.
然而，选择LED确实能够为标识制造商带来更多的解决方案。
“Most brick and mortar LED offerings today have dedicated LED grid systems for sign cabinets that offer tremendous labor savings when installing versus fluorescents and or individual modules,” says Meyne. “Grid systems today are quite varied and, like your personal choices, familiarity can breed contempt or a faithful following. There are venetian blind type grid systems, bar and modules systems, stick/fluorescent type options etc. Again, like life, there are many different options and not all perform the same.”
Meyne说：“今天，大多数LED产品都拥有专用的LED栅格系统，这个系统可用于灯箱，与荧光灯和相比，可以节省大量的人力物力。栅格系统非常多样化，有百叶窗式网格系统、荧光棒类型选项等，不同选项产生的效果不同。”
So, what if a customer decides it’s time to install a new sign cabinet, or change a sign's look by retrofitting an existing one? For sign makers, what goes into the process of assisting with these decisions?
那么，当客户决定安装新的灯箱标识时，是全部换新还是改装现有灯箱标识的外观呢？这需要标识制造商来协助客户的决策过程。
“As mentioned, there are various choices,” Meyne says. “Typically, all LED options use their own (new) power source. Some offerings can use the existing fluorescent bases to mounting, however, that choice might limit you to the fluorescent spacing that might or might not have been calculated properly.”
Meyne说：“我之前说过，有很多种选择，通常，所有LED都使用的是新电源，有些产品可以使用现有的荧光灯底座进行安装，但是这样可能会导致一些问题出现，你也许不能正确计算出荧光间距。”
Retrofitting a sign cabinet—removing fluorescent (or neon) from an existing sign and replacing it with an LED system—is a popular choice these days. Most often, sign makers can offer quick and cost-effective solutions for their clients.
对现有的灯箱标识进行改装，用LED系统替换荧光灯或霓虹灯，是当下最流行最受欢迎的选择。大多数情况下，标识制造商都能为客户提供经济高效的解决方案。
Meyne explains. “As most LED systems are 12VDC or 24VDC the wiring does not have to be enclosed like line voltage.”
Meyne解释说：“由于大多数LED系统是12VDC或24VDC，所以不需要像线路电压一样封装接线。”
With retrofitting, he notes that installers should consider factors in double-faced versus single-faced sign projects. For example, one should determine whether the center pole will cast a shadow in double-faced signs. According to Meyne, single-faced signs will typically present fewer challenges with mounting.
Meyne补充道：“在改装过程中，安装者应该考虑各方面因素。例如，在安装过程中，安装者应该确定中心极是否会在双面标识中投下阴影。相比之下，单面标识通常在安装过程中出现的问题会少很多。”
Sign professionals should answer some questions upfront before tackling a retrofit. Vincent offers up a few noteworthy items to check off the list prior to starting work:
在进行改造前，标识专业人员应该先回答一些问题。Vincent提供了一些值得注意的点，以便在开始工作之前做好检查：
Make sure that the system is UL Classified and approved for sign retrofits. Many municipalities require that the sign be listed or classified.
许多市政府要求标识要进行分类，所以在安装之前，需要确保标识是否统经过分类并获得批准了，才能进行标识改装。
Get a layout and research your products to make sure that spacing and depths are confirmed prior to installation.
改装之前，需要先研究布局和产品，以确保安装的间距和深度。
Consider the time it will take to perform the retrofit. Many companies have quick install systems that can utilize existing sockets as holders or bracket systems that need to be installed.
改装之前，需要考虑改造过程所花费的时间。许多公司都有快速安装系统，可以利用现有的插座作为安装的支架。
Finally, it is always wise to be aware of the sign’s surroundings. Says Meyne: “They need to meet the various requirements relative to the environment; competing ambient lighting, other cabinets nearby, etc.
Meyne说：“最后一点要注意的是，改装时还需要了解标识周围的环境，附近其他的灯箱标识会不会给造成影响，所以，改装的标识需要满足环境的各种要求。”
LEDs in Real Life
现实生活中的LED
It’s easy to talk about how and when to install a sign cabinet project but it’s quite different when actually faced with completing the task.
谈论如何安装一个灯箱标识的项目是很容易的，但实际操作起来，就完全不同了。
“At Principal LED, we have partnered with Love’s Country Stores to completely retrofit the signage at all of their locations,” says Vincent of a recent project implementing LED signage at more than 400 Love’s Country locations. “We provided site surveys, as well as kitting to have 100 percent of the materials drop-shipped on site so that all of the material was labeled and installation could be done quickly.”
Vincent表示：“最近有一个项目，是在某个国家400多个地点安装LED标牌，我们与当地标识商店合作，彻底改造了400多个地点的所有标牌。在安装现场，我们做了很多调查，并提供了100％的材料，在现场可以进行下载，以便所有的材料都贴上标签，安装可以快速完成。”
Principal LED’s Street Stik HD product took on the leading role in project as it “fits into the existing T-12 sockets with six-foot whips pre-installed,” says Vincent. “The installer was able to perform the retrofit on the Panaflex signs around the gas canopies without removing the flex face materials and the six-foot wire leads allowed them to quickly pull the wires back to the power supplies without the need for additional field wiring.”
Vincent还表示：“在这次安装中，Stik HD产品在项目中占据了主导地位，因为它符合预先安装六英尺的现有插座，安装人员能够在气体檐篷周围的Panaflex标识上直接进行改造，不需要去除柔性材料，也无需额外的现场接线。”
In another project SloanLED, an LED module component manufacturer based in Ventura, California, recently contributed to the transformation of signage at the Black and White Lounge at First Direct Arena in Leeds, England.
另一个项目位于加利福尼亚州文图拉，是LED模块制造商为英格兰利兹竞技场的黑白休息室进行标牌改造。
The lighted signage uses the SloanLED PosterBOX 3 LED modules to highlight nearly 250 album covers of musical artists that have played at the site. The highly frequented location at the arena now has enhanced brightness from the two large sign boxes which use 90 modules at a power supply of 1200W.
新的发光标牌使用了SloanLED PosterBOX 3 LED模组和250张有关音乐艺术家的专辑封面。 此外，在竞技场位置较高处，增加了两个非常亮的大型标识盒，每个电源是1200W。
“More and more sign shops are realizing the benefits of using dedicated LED cabinet solutions,” says Meyne, “however not so much for their customers as for the benefits in labor savings when used properly. Most national chains today are using grid type LED solutions in many different formats. Successful projects are everywhere!”
Meyne表示：“越来越多的标识商店意识到，使用专门的LED灯箱解决方案能给他们带来好处。目前，大多数国家连锁店正在使用不同规格的电子LED解决方案。你会发现，成功的项目无处不在！”
When customers peel back the faces of their sign cabinets, they might find the lighting components less than interesting. But to those in the electrical sign market, the same lighting elements represent the life of the sign.
当客户只关注灯箱标识的外观时，他们可能对LED模组就不感兴趣了。但是，对于专业人士来说，照明代表着标识的生命。
