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Introduction
Hello:
I would like to introduce myself to this list server. I represent a sign
company called Artistic Signs USA, Inc. and we are located in Pompano
Beach, Florida. We have been in business for over fifteen years
fabricating all types of custom vinyl, wood, plastic, and metal signs.
And, within the past year installed a two station (nicely equipped) neon
department.
The front of the sign shop is a retail store equipped with two IBM pc
workstations connected to a Gerber 15" plotter and a Summagraphics 40"
freestanding cutter/plotter. We use various software packages (Corel Draw
and SignLab) to cut vinyl and most importantly draw neon patterns.
Through our first door is our Art department equipped with large drawing
boards, drafting table, and electro-pounce. Not to mention overhead
projectors, limited silk screening equipment and other various things art
departments have.
Across the way from the art department is our new neon department and it
is equipped with two large neon work benches, two ribbon burners, two
knife fires, one cross fire, and a few hand torches for tipping and
welding. The bombarder is a variac controlled super choke and the manifold
is a custom design made from 15mm glass with the usual gauges and Welch
vacuum pump. The side wall of the department is one large work bench that
includes the pumping station, burn-in bench, third bending bench, and
a place to paint block out on the glass.
Through the next set of doors is the wood and production department where
our two trucks, one a pick-up and the other a bucket truck are parked at
night. This department is a full blown wood and plastic working center
that includes two rack saws, one set up for wood the other plastics, and
the usual hand tools, table saw, sander, and etc.
New to the manufacturing of neon, we are interested in all aspects of the
trade. Currently, we face the problems of determining the proper way of
paying our neon benders. Some have proposed payment based on piece work
while other prefer wages. Either way, we would like to know what others
are doing and what has worked best for them. We have full time and part
time benders.
BTW: My strong points are computers, programming ANSI C(++), computer
graphics for the sign industry, electronics, and programming embedded
controllers (particularly the 8051). I would be willing to entertain any
questions on these subjects as well as my favorites, computer driven neon
transformer control and computer neon pattern making. My father, the owner
and founder of the company is the artist!
Artistic Signs USA, Inc.
Tel: (954) 974-8890
Fax: (954) 979-1493
Sincerely,
Darren Shane
z900770a@bcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us