Framed aluminum with a curved profile to match the building

[nashvillesigns]

Hello everyone!

We have a big sign project that spans two buildings. Most of the framed aluminum signage is flat. One sign is to be mounted on a curve. the building is curved, so that is my question.
how do i get a framed sign to be curved?
Specs:
1" square tubed aluminum with 3/4" gold trim on the outside. 3D Gemini lettering on top.
sign size is 27"h x 139" w
i do not have a bender of any kind.

the signs are going to be affixed over the old ones.

thanks,
christopher M.

 

[Billct2]

Do you mean it is an aluminum tube sign/ 1"x1" tube frame with .040 or ACM face with a raised bent aluminum border?
From the photos it looks like that existing sign isn't real well done.

 

[MikePro]

extruded aluminum angle/tubing can be easily bent into a radius, by hand, of enough notches are cut out of it.

 

[signfab]

Find a local tube bender or as Mike Pro says slot the rear of the extrusion with a sliding saw.

 

[rjssigns]

One of these is all you need: http://www.swagoffroad.com/SWAG-Tubing-Roller-HULK_p_89.html

There are cheaper alternatives out there.

 

[petrosgraphics]

if they used 1'' square tube, they notched the tubing just enough to make the arc. *attached the alum face to the tube and set the sign inside the frame of the cabinet, then attached the the sign to the cabinet on the top and bottom

 

[GaSouthpaw]

It's rare that you ever get the info you need, but you could ask the building's owner for a copy of the blueprints- that would have the radius and width of the opening, plus the angle of the windows. Draw it out and plot it on paper, then check it against the actual building and adjust as necessary. Since seven times out of ten, that info isn't available, be prepared to do a rubbing of the existing sign's profile and match it (cleaning it up, of course- it looks kind of rough).
Once it's right, cut your bottom panel to match, kerf cut your tubing, and tack weld as you bend the tubing to match the panel's profile. Repeat that for the top part, then join, skin, paint, and apply letters.

 

[fixtureman]

We have an Eagle tubing bender and bend 1 inch square all the time just have to know the radius of the bend. 22 ft is the longest that I have bent

 

[rjssigns]

Odd that a couple people posted regarding slitting, bending, then welding the tubing. Pardon my ignorance, but is that normal practice for theses types of signs?

I just can't see how that is strong or safe. Seems like a lot of mucking about too. Personally I'd just by a roll bender, but then I always look for an excuse to buy another shop toy.

 

[FS-Keith]

yes thats how we make radius topped cabinets and retainers. we even buy the alum angle pre kerf cut sometimes

 

[rjssigns]

yes thats how we make radius topped cabinets and retainers. we even buy the alum angle pre kerf cut sometimes

Thanks for the reply. Didn't know you could buy it pre-cut for bending. I need to get out more often.

 

[MikePro]

Odd that a couple people posted regarding slitting, bending, then welding the tubing. Pardon my ignorance, but is that normal practice for theses types of signs?

bout as strong as a solid tube rolled to radius... think of it as a sign face being held-up by a hundred-or-so aluminum angles. Except, since one of the sides of the tube/angle isn't cut all the way through, it helps the aluminum face hold a smooth radius rather than a bunch of ticks around the perimeter where the aluminum wanted to crease rather than roll/conform.
tricky part, however, is hiding the awful appearance of of the slitted-frame. cap with aluminum that you've hand-traced/cut.

 

[nashvillesigns]

bending square tubes

Thanks guys,
i bender is a great way to go. while i understand notching the tubes, i feel bending would be the correct way to go here.

christopher

 

[Chriswagner92]

Odd that a couple people posted regarding slitting, bending, then welding the tubing. Pardon my ignorance, but is that normal practice for theses types of signs?

I just can't see how that is strong or safe. Seems like a lot of mucking about too. Personally I'd just by a roll bender, but then I always look for an excuse to buy another shop toy.

here is one we are working on now. I routed the top and bottom plates out of 080, the shop guys notched and bent either 1 or 1 1/2" angle aluminum and wrapped it around the edge of the plates, leaving a space for the skin.

 

[rjssigns]

here is one we are working on now. I routed the top and bottom plates out of 080, the shop guys notched and bent either 1 or 1 1/2" angle aluminum and wrapped it around the edge of the plates, leaving a space for the skin.

Very nice.

 

[Chriswagner92]

Thank you, it is still in progress, going to get some fabbed aluminum letters and brushed faces, it's gonna be great

 

[Rick]

I'd kerf cut it too, anyway...

as boring as a project typeface is, I'd propose a project typeface.
Some retail business who use a script or images may find it a little
hard wrapping their dimensional logo on a curve like that.

 

[rjssigns]

Thank you, it is still in progress, going to get some fabbed aluminum letters and brushed faces, it's gonna be great

Your welcome. Please post the finished work.

As Homer would say: "Mmmm....Aluminum". Makes me want to fire up the SyncroWave and TIG the day away.

As mundane as it sounds I really miss TIG welding the "curbs" I used to do or an HVAC place.