A ton of intricate design work, detailed planning, and frequent correspondence went into the design, fabrication, and installation of the monster-sized DSV sign.
超巨大型号的DSV发光字标牌的设计、制造和安装的过程中，运用了大量复杂的设计工作和详细的计划，经历了频繁的通信与研讨磨合。
A ton of intricate design work, detailed planning, and frequent correspondence went into the design, fabrication, and installation of the monster-sized DSV sign by Gregory Signs & Engraving Ltd., in Vaughan, Ont., which is celebrating its 40th year in business in 2021. From the planning stage to bringing it home at DSV’s Milton, Ont., plant on June 12, 2020, there were twists, turns, challenges, and ‘aha’ moments along the way for the seasoned signmaking team.
DSV公司为了在2021年庆祝其营业40周年，选择由格雷戈里标识/雕刻有限公司（安大略省，沃恩）为其设计、制造、安装了“怪物级”的超巨大标识。在此过程中，一揽子复杂的设计工作、详细的规划工作，以及频繁的研讨磨合给双方都带来挑战。从格雷戈里标识公司的角度，自标识的规划阶段直到2020年6月12日将成品带到DSV位于安大略省弥尔顿的工厂，经验丰富的标识制作团队在漫长的旅途中遭遇了挫折、转折、挑战和惊喜的种种瞬间。
Seemingly seamless
天衣无缝？
DSV’s sign was destined to make a powerful first impression. It had to be modern in design and seamlessly fabricated as one giant sign. Originally, the company wanted an illuminated sign. However, that type of sign would have visible seams—a non-negotiable design detail that meant other options needed to be explored. Trusting the expert advice of the Gregory Signs team, DSV settled on a custom fabricated, aluminum channel letter sign with top and bottom recessed lights to illuminate it.
DSV标识的理念就是为了给人留下深刻印象。它要求必须具有现代化的设计，并且最后的成品是一个表面浑然无缝的巨大标识。最初，该公司想仅通过照明获得好的效果，但是普通的发光字具有一个无法克服的设计缺点，那就是明显的接缝，这意味着如果想要完全满足DSV的期望，就必须探索其他选择。格雷戈里标识团队的专家建议选择定制的铝制发光字标牌，通过底部和顶部的嵌入式灯具来将其照亮，DSV接受了该建议，决定一试。
The next major task was to finalize the drawings and to map out the fabrication of the sign within the shop space. Thought also had to be given as to how the final 1814.4-kg (4000-lb), 3.96- x 12.8-m (13- x 42-ft) sign—the largest ground sign of its kind to be produced by the signmaker to date—would be transported in one piece more than 45 km (28 miles) away. Ultimately, the success of this project would hinge on the signmaker’s ability to identify challenges, make sound decisions, and work as a team to deliver DSV’s ‘big’ vision.
在确定了标识的设计方向后，接下来的主要任务是确定设计图纸并在格雷戈里标识公司的内部规划出空间供给标牌的制作。此外，还必须考虑最终规格为1814.4kg，3.96m×12.8m的标牌——格雷戈里公司的标识制作人员迄今为止生产的最大标识——如何运输往超过45km的另一个地点。
由此可见，该项目最终的成功完全取决于标识制作者们对于挑战的鉴别、作出明智的决策，以及团队之间为实现DSV（客户）“大”愿景而协力合作的能力。
No challenge too big
无伤大雅
The project took six weeks from planning to installation with a lot of detailed thinking going into the design, engineering, and transportation of DSV’s sign. Questions as to how to build the sign with hidden components so it could withstand significant wind impacts without collapsing; how to move it from the shop floor to the transport vehicle; and, finally, how to transport and install it in a tight space under an overhang had to be precisely answered before fabrication could begin.
DSV标识项目从立项计划到安装完成总共花费六个星期，其中对实际标牌的设计、工程和运输方面进行了大量细致的思考：有关如何使用隐藏的部件来构建标牌的问题，涉及其在日后能够承受强大的风力冲击而不会倒塌；如何将巨大的标牌从车间移运至运输车辆；还有在开始制造之前，必须准确地设想如何在公司内部吊机下的狭窄空间中将标牌来回地输送与加工。
A thorough site check, meticulous calculations, and plenty of collaboration provided the necessary details required to design the sign to fit on top of a 12.2-m (40-ft) foundation built to withstand significant environmental stresses and the massive weight of the sign.
彻底的现场检查工作，细致的计算工作，以及大量的协同工作，最终给标识的设计与制作提供所需的全方位的重要细节，适配了巨大的环境压力和超重、超长的标识规格等限制。
Due to the sign’s size and weight, the team decided to build it in one spot on the shop floor. Completing the entire project in one area presented a number of new obstacles.
To tackle these challenges, the team began with the construction of the face, followed by the back, and lastly by the steel structure that would support the sign. To ensure the greatest structural integrity, the fabricator built the hidden steel support underneath the face so the seams would be over a solid base and easier to sand and buff out. Once the pieces were put together, the full weight of the sign had to be lifted and put on its back so the face could be painted over a four-day period.
由于标识设计所展现出最终标牌产品的大小和重量，格雷戈里标识团队决定只在车间内的一个固定位置上进行制作工作。
当然，在一个位置完成整个项目固然能够省去来回搬运的麻烦，但同时也为整个项目带来了许多新的障碍。为了应对这些挑战，团队在制作流程上进行改进：首先开始的是标牌表面的构造，其次是背面，最后才制作制成标牌的钢结构。同时为了确保最好的结构完整性，团队在工作平台的下方构建了隐藏的钢构支撑，因此接缝处位于坚固的平台上，而且更容易进行打磨和抛光工作。一旦所有的部分都组合在了一起，就必须完全抬起标识并将其掉个个儿，以便可以在为其4天的时间里对其表面进行粉刷。
Every department worked closely together to build the sign and execute the first phase of the plan perfectly. With the fabrication completed, it was now time to face the challenges of transporting the sign to its new home in Milton.
格雷戈里标识公司的每个部门在紧锣密鼓的生产生间里密切合作，完美地共同执行了标识项目的第一阶段。标牌制作完成后，是时候将其运送到位于弥尔顿的新家了。
The team began with the construction of the face, followed by the back and, lastly, the steel structure that would support the sign.
制作团队先从标牌的表面构造开始，然后是背面，最后是支撑标识的钢结构。
Delivery day
按期交货
One of the neat engineering parts of the DSV sign structure, was how to move it out of the shop on the day of installation. The team had to make sure the sign would fit out the shop door, and then tackle how to transport it (vertically or laid flat). There was a lot of measuring, calculating, and conversing between the teams to accomplish this.
DSV标识项目前期所做的详细计划的一部分，就是如何在安装日当天将整个标牌移出车间。团队必须先确保标牌能够顺利穿过公司大门，然后解决到底是采用垂直还是平放的方式运输它。团队之间进行了大量的测量、计算和研讨以实现这一目标。
Due to the sign’s size and weight, the team decided to build it in one spot on the shop floor.
由于标牌超巨大的规格，格雷戈里标识团队决定在车间的一个固定位置上建造标牌。
The fabricator designed and built three sets of temporary wheels for the sign so it could be wheeled out of the shop standing straight up. It rolled easily—almost too easily—and great care had to be taken not to push the sign too hard or it would speed away. Moving such a large and heavy sign with such ease was, at the same time, both stressful and impressive.
格雷戈里公司设计并制造了三套专用于该标牌的临时运输轮，使其可以竖直地从公司车间中直接推出。这套轮子非常丝滑，过于容易滚动，因此在推动时必须格外小心，不能太大力地推动，否则会导致标牌加速而收势不住。
由于这套轮子的原因，如此轻而易举地移动如此巨大而沉重的标识形成强烈的反差，整个过程既令人感到压力巨大，有令人格外印象深刻。
The team knew the sign was over height and too high for the trailer, and transporting it on an angle would have required a special frame. In the end, it was decided the best way to ship the sign was to lay it flat. This presented challenges, however, as it had to be laid down on its face because of the steel structure on its back. Further, the sign had to be packed properly and the weight distributed precisely so there would be no damage to the face and fresh paint. It took three hours to pack the sign, and the install team worked closely with the fabricator to make sure all the hook up points were strong enough to lift the sign onto the trailer.
标识团队早已料到由于标牌的高度对于拖车来说太高了，垂直的装载必然会导致超高，而且并不安全，因此需要将其倾斜一定的角度以完成运输，但是这就意味着需要一个特殊的框架加以固定。最后，团队决定还是以水平放置的稳妥方式完成运输。但是，背面为钢结构的标牌是无法弯曲哪怕一点点的，要放平就得全部放平，这带来了一个挑战；此外，标牌必须正确包装，配重也得精确分配，以免损坏表面和新鲜的油漆。
光是标牌的包装就花费了3个小时，安装团队与制作团队紧密合作，以确保所有挂钩点都牢固到足以将标牌提起并放到拖车上。
On the day of the install (June 12, 2020), there were high winds and the wide-load had to travel 45 km (28 miles) to the site. As long as the sign was properly positioned, the wind would blow it downward and help keep it secured in place. Once the sign was out the door, the team hooked the cranes to four points and lifted it so it could be laid down flat on its face on the trailer. The temporary wheels where then removed so the sign could be transported.
在安装日（2020年6月12日）当天，狂风呼啸，而拖车必须在这样的天气下超负荷行驶45km到达安装现场。祸兮福之所伏，大风天气虽然对运输造成了困难，但对于安装来说，只要找到正确位置放置标牌，就可以借助风势将其向下吹，从而有助于将其固定在适当位置。
标牌出了格雷戈里公司的大门后，被挂上四个吊钩，由起重机吊起并平放在拖车上。临时的运输轮则被卸下，以便其运输。
Upon reaching the DSV plant there were a couple of sharp turns and a gate that had to be navigated. To make these manoeuvres, a boom truck was used to pick up the back-end of the trailer to swing it over about 3.04 m (10 ft) to avoid damaging the concrete curves of the driveway. This was planned in advance of the install, and everything went according to plan.
在通往DSV工厂的路途中，有一些急转弯和操纵的闸门。为了度过这些关卡，团队使用动臂卡车来接卸拖车的后端，这样其摆动幅度可超过3.04m，以避免碰撞损坏车道两旁的混凝土路牙。这也是在安装之前计划好的，一切都在按照计划进行。
Finally, the sign arrived at the installation location. The winds were still high, and the team had to be extra careful unpacking the load to avoid scratching or damaging the sign face. To do so, it was picked up flat off the trailer and placed carefully on the ground.
最终，标牌顺利到达安装位置，这时的风仍然很大，团队必须格外小心地拆开标牌外包装，以免刮擦或损坏标牌面。为此，将其从拖车上平吊起来并小心地放置在地面上。
To place it upright, the rigging was adjusted to two points to lift it vertically. Seeing the sign being lifted to its full height was exciting to watch. Gregory Signs & Engraving Ltd., had never completed a project this big, this heavy, and this continuous.
为了将平放的标牌竖直立起，需要将索具由四个吊点调整至两个吊点以垂直将其提起。看到巨大的标牌被抬起至超高的高度令人兴奋。格雷戈里标识公司从未完成过如此庞大、沉重且流程紧密的项目。
There was one final challenge to overcome. Where the sign was being installed there was an overhang that left the installation crew about 0.762 m (2.5 ft) of clearance. Further, the height of the canopy created huge limitations that made the installation process complicated. Normally, a sign is lifted up and dropped into place. In this case, it had to be tilted to let the base plates on the structure fall into place on four posts on the foundation. This left no room for error. Even the smallest deviation would result in a disastrous outcome. That said, everything lined up perfectly.
最后一个需要克服的挑战是：在标牌最终安装位置的上方，有一个挑出的房檐，减去标牌本身的高度，给安装人员留下的可以进行操作的空间高度只有0.762m。这样的高度所产生的巨大局限性，使安装过程变得复杂。在通常情况下，吊机很轻易就能将标牌吊起并放置到位，但是现在必须将其倾斜以使标牌底部的基板正好落在地面基础的四个立柱上。这不容许丝毫的错误余地，由于一经防止就要直接承重，即使最小的偏差也会导致灾难性的后果。换句话来说，一切都只能按照计划进行，而计划只有一个。
Every department worked closely together to build the sign and execute the first phase of the plan perfectly.
格雷戈里标识公司的每个部门密切合作，共同完美地执行了DSV标识项目的第一阶段。
Never stop learning
学无止境
Even as seasoned professionals in the sign industry, the company strives to continually learn and evolve. As many of the sign shop’s products are custom made, each project is unique in its design and challenges, which offer team members unlimited opportunities to develop new skills and gain more experience.
即使自身已是标识行业的资深专家，格雷戈里标识公司也致力于不断学习和发展。该标识公司的许多产品都是定制产品，因此每个项目的设计和挑战都是独特的，这也为团队成员提供了足够多发展新技能和获得更多经验的机会。
Building the foundation for the 1814.4-kg (4000-lb), 3.96- x 12.8-m (13- x 42-ft) one-piece DSV sign.
为1814.4公斤，3.96m×12.8m的一体式DSV标牌打地基。
The sign was designed and fabricated to fit on top of a 12.2-m (40-ft) foundation.
该标牌经过设计和制造，可安装在12.2米的地基上方。
It was decided the best way to ship the sign was to lay it flat.
最后决定运输标牌的最佳方法是将其平放。
Moving such a large and heavy sign with such ease was, at the same time, both stressful and impressive.
同时，如此轻而易举地移动如此大而沉重的标识既令人感到压力又令人印象深刻。
The project took six weeks from planning to installation.
该项目从计划到安装共花费了六个星期的时间。
This sign was no exception, and the company thanks DSV for putting its trust in their team. The success of this project validated the sign shop’s confidence, knowledge, and capacity to build very large custom fabricated ground signs. It also highlighted the company’s employees who, driven by a strong desire to be a part of a winning team, spent hours collaborating, planning, and at times challenging their own abilities. As Gregory Signs & Engraving Ltd., looks to its strategy for 2021 and beyond, the company is confident with enough knowledge, time, and desire, it can achieve anything.
这个标识项目也不例外，格雷戈里公司感谢客户DSV对于自己团队的信任。该项目的成功足以验证标识公司的信心、专业和能力，以及可以建造超大定制化地面标牌的实力。它还凸显出公司员工的强烈信念——渴望成为成功团队的一份子，他们花费大量时间进行协作、规划，甚至挑战自己的工作能力的极限。
从这个项目开始，当格雷戈里标识/雕刻公司展望2021年及更未来的战略时，对自己的专业知识、效率和野心充满信心，可以实现任何目标！
