I am excited to announce the new addition to the sculptural tools in the shop. A 4 x 8 ft. CNC table. A CNC machine is a computerized router that can be programmed to carve anything you design on the computer in all kinds of materials including wood, foam, plastic, metal. This is important for achieving beautiful carved letters, and intricate relief carvings and forms and textures. The creative possibilities are so extensive and the beauty is that it can be done “in house” now. Up to this point, our CNC work has been done by local sign shops, but now we have complete creative control as well as time/ scheduling control.
The capability to create 3D sculptural signs now is unlimited. It’s an exciting new business threshold we are crossing.
The following pictures are of our first sign order created with our own CNC machine!
This customer is a local school in need of signs for each of their 13 dorms. I submitted this design with the option of them being made in either weatherproof material – PVC board or High Density Sign Foam. They went with white PVC board.
So, the next step is bringing this design into the design software that speaks to the CNC. Here is how the layout looked on the sheets of 1″ thick PVC board. They put an order in for 10 signs.
Next, the PVC boards were painted with 2 coats of primer and 2-3 coats of paint.
Before the expensive PVC board is put on, a test carving was made in wood to make sure everything looked right.
Once the test sign was accepted, the pvc board was placed on the CNC.
This is a roll of paint mask. This is put in areas to be carved that need to be painted afterward. This allows the painting to go much faster. Then, the mask is peeled off after the letters have been painted.
Let the carving begin!!!
After the first sign, it was clear the shopvac wasn’t going to be strong enough to clear the material. So it was time to hook up the power vac dust collection system. Wow, what a difference!
After the signs were carved, the numbers were attached and final touch ups of sanding and painting were done.
Stay tuned for a new site that will be dedicated to 3D Sign design and construction.
Thank you so much for viewing this post. If you enjoy these posts, click the “follow” button on the right to receive updates of new posts.
If you have a need for a custom dimensional sign or sculpture simply visit http://www.customwoodcarvings.com and click the contact page to get in touch!!
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart” Proverbs 3:5
Kris,
Hello from DHHS.
I hope all is well. Congratulations on the new sign business; I’ll be in touch!
Suzanne
Wow! What a machine!
It is wonderful how your business is growing. Think of you every time we pass the carved eagle on 154 in Higganum.