Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 24
TECH
REVIEW
CHRIS & KATHI
MORRISON
own and operate The
Image Specialists, a fullservice graphics company
based in Clements, CA.
Chris is also a Microsoft-certified systems
engineer.
CNC ROUTERS
Give your shop that cutting edge.
N these times, it's a safe
bet to say your shop is
engaged in digital printing
because a wide selection
of printers and print technologies
exist, and printers are available in
just about everyone's price range.
Truth is, digital printing is a beneficial but conventional shop asset.
Are there other market areas where
you can offer something that is
profitable, different and not rocket
science? Yes. A CNC router can put
your shop in a niche market that may
exceed your ordinary competition.
For example, a XY-Z CNC router can
produce channel letter faces, architectural panels, engravings, dimensional signs and a lot more. Your
material choices are wood, foam,
soft metals and others.
CNC is an acronym for computer
numerical control, a coded machine
guidance system that originated in
World War II aircraft manufacturing
to speed the machine cutting of
components. Today, CNC machines
are digitized and feature automated
tracking systems that position and
drive various cutting tools along
two or three axes (XY, XY-Z) of your
choice. If buying, be sure to choose
the latter. The Z axis allows you to
cut bevels.
Sound great? Are you thinking,
"Where do I buy?" Before you
sign any contracts, consider your
requirements. A good place to begin
is table size, because, like printers,
the larger the table, the more expensive the machine. A common CNC
router size for signmakers is 4 x 8 ft.,
meaning the machine table will cut
(and the gantry clear) the edges of
a standard, 4 x 8-ft. panel. Smaller
table sizes are available, of course,
and some manufacturers offer larger
or extended models.
Do you have enough room in
your shop? Obviously, the machine,
operator and media-handling space
requirement will be much larger
than the machine footprint. A rule of
thumb is to have more space than
you think you'll possibly need because,
in addition to media load/unload
space, you'll need, separately, a dustcollection system and ventilation
system; add a tool cabinet and bench
as well.
Your other decisions are the type
of media hold-down: vacuum or
clamps. The less expensive option
uses T-slot clamps while the more
expensive option is a vacuum system;
a zoned vacuum system is ideal.
TRIDENT SERIES
3000 SERIES
CLN 300 SERIES
axyz.com
muticam.com
clnofsfl.com
I
AXYZ INTL.
24
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
MULTICAM
FEBRUARY 2018
CLN OF SOUTH FLORIDA
http://www.clnofsfl.com
http://www.multicam.com/
http://www.axyz.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Signs of the Times - February 2018
Signs of the Times - February 2018
From the Editor
St Update
At Large
Tech Review
Vehicles + Vinyl
Design Matters
Nuts + Bolts
The Ultimate Soft Sell
Coming to Light
Buy, Merge or Go Home?
New Products
Advertising Index
Last Look
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Intro
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - BB1
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - BB2
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - CT1
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - CT2
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Signs of the Times - February 2018
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Cover2
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 1
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 2
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 3
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 4
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 5
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 6
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 7
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - From the Editor
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 9
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - St Update
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 11
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 12
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 13
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 14
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 15
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 16
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 17
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 18
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 19
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - At Large
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 21
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 22
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 23
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Tech Review
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 25
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Vehicles + Vinyl
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 27
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 28
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 29
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 30
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 31
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Design Matters
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 33
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 34
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 35
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Nuts + Bolts
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 37
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 38
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 39
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - The Ultimate Soft Sell
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 41
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 42
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 43
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 44
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 45
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Coming to Light
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 47
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 48
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 49
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 50
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 51
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Buy, Merge or Go Home?
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 53
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 54
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 55
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - New Products
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 57
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 58
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 59
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 60
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 61
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 62
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 63
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 64
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 65
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 66
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 67
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 68
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 69
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 70
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 71
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 72
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 73
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 74
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 75
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 76
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 77
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 78
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 79
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 80
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 81
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - 82
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Advertising Index
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Last Look
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Cover3
Signs of the Times - February 2018 - Cover4
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