Signs of the Times - June 2015 - (Page 42)

Technology Review By Chris and Kathi Morrison Computerized Cutters Accu-Bend Model 26 Chris and Kathi Morrison own and operate The Image Specialists, a full-service graphics company based in Clements, CA. Chris is also a Microsoftcertified systems engineer. Are you leaving money on the table? Key Information Computerized Cutters Inc. 2900 Guilder Dr. Plano, TX 75074 www.computerizedcutters.com Contact: Carl Ondracek, president (972) 422-6900 condracek@computerizedcutters.com W ith the economy out of the doldrums, new businesses seemingly are popping up everywhere. For several years, we've seen strip-mall businesses decline, but we're now seeing many new storefront openings and sign installations. If you're in the channel-letter business, we suspect your business is great. However, we have to ask: Are you sourcing the fabrication and only hanging the channel-letter signs? Many shops do just that. They sell, design and install, but don't fabricate the letters. Oppositely, if you fabricate, is your operation efficient? And, the big question: Are you leaving money on the table? Perhaps your shop should be making - or more efficiently producing - channel letters. In 1997, Computerized Cutters introduced its computer-controlled, Accu-Bend channel-letter bender that accepts coiled-aluminum stock at one end, and emits notched, flanged and bent channel-letter forms at the other end. Guided by .DXF CAD files, the Accu-Bend machine notches, curves and bends up to 9.5-in.-wide, alumi- Specifications: Computerized Cutters' Accu-Bend 26 Maximum Letter (Coil) Depth 9.5 in. Maximum Letter Height 15 ft. Minimum Letter Height 3 in. Maximum Process Speed 12 in./sec. Process Metal Thickness .040 (.063 with option) File Type DFX Electrical Requirements 120VAC Air Requirements Standard shop air Other, related company machines are the original, Accu-Bend channel-letter bender; various-sized Accu-Cut routers; the Accu-Clinch machine for attaching channel-letter backs and joining light metals; and the Accu-Form system that automatically molds durable, channel-letter faces, push-through, molded and 3-D letters and other, thermal-formed parts. 42 SIGNS OF THE TIMES June 2015 num coil into complex letters and logo returns. Further, you can load the same design file into your company's CNC-guided, Accu-Cut router and cut letter faces and backs. Finally, you can feed the file into a pen plotter and produce a paperlighting layout (neon tubes or LEDs) and a full-size install pattern. Today, Computerized Cutters also offers its Accu-Bend Model 26, which, the company says, is twice as fast, less expensive, and much more compact than the original AccuBend, with the same capabilities. The machine handles coil material up to 0.063 thick, and up to 6 in. wide. Changing the return width requires only a few seconds, so moving from job to job is a snap. The Model 26 runs on standard 110 VAC power and typical shop air. It feeds material at up to 12 in./ sec. and can produce letters and forms up to 15 ft. high. For fabricating channel letters as small as 3 in. high, Computerized Cutters offers an optional scoring tool to its Model 26 line. This tool scores the return material, which eases the tighter bending processes required for smaller letters. We'll ask again. Do you need to make - or make more - channel letters? Check out Computerized Cutters. The company says many of its customers' 15-year old AccuBend machines are still producing letters today. ■ http://www.computerizedcutters.com

Signs of the Times - June 2015

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