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Gdi and the rise of the LED
Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00
At Gdi we work tirelessly to bring the best signs we can to the market place, constantly reviewing production methods and developing ideas. A major part of our business is supplying LED illuminated letters. One issue often raised by customers is, "how do we hide the cable?"
The solution Gdi is offering the sign industry is Gdi TRAX
So what is new about Gdi Trax?
An innovative new system of transmitting power has been developed for LED illuminated built up letters called Gdi Trax which is basically a new way of delivering power to the individual built up letters. It uses a Gdi Trax rod system to feed the power to the letters, replacing unsightly cables with a 6mm dia s/steel Gdi Trax rod system. This system eliminates the need to use a sign tray to hide the wiring or threading the cable through the fabric of the building that the letters are mounted on.
The advantage of this is, firstly, that the wiring is not on view to the customer and secondly, it saves time and money as it speeds up the fitter's time on site and removes the cost of additional components such as trays. But the most amazing benefit of this system is that it means our customers can now fix built up LED face illuminated letters directly to glazing without the need to drill the glass. The finished look is not only very neat, it is absolutely stunning, giving a real 21st century solution to a 20th century problem.
Although the system has not been on the market long, a number of prestigious high street names in retail and leisure are now specifying this system, and having them installed to a number of sites throughout the UK. In times when it is important to stand out from the crowd, even some small independent businesses are specifying this style of sign.
How much does it cost?
It is surprisingly affordable, as you are reducing the cost of the materials and of course the time to install, whilst improving the final look. Prices are subject to specification. If you would like a quote for a current or forthcoming project, please call 0800 146008 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will email a written quote back to you the same day or for more information visit www.gdisigns.net
Eurostand Display: Delivering graphics to the great outdoors
Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00
Positioning itself favourably to meet this seasonal demand, trade-only graphic systems supplier Eurostand Display has just added two new outdoor products to its already extensive range of display solutions.
The Essex-based business says its robust Landmark outdoor graphic display is ideal for reinforcing an event's messages or branding, or for guiding pedestrians, vehicles, spectators or visitors towards a destination.
The Landmark system houses twin 800mm-wide graphics, each 870, 1440 or 2015mm in height, depending on which model is employed. It is designed to withstand wind buffeting and is fitted with a pair of flexible, spring-mounted telescopic poles which support the banners. Further stability is afforded by the water fillable, moulded base.
The lightweight system, less than a metre long when packed, weighs in at less than 17kg. In fact, one of the Landmark's most useful features says Eurostand Display, is its portability, thanks to its wheeled base, ergonomic carry handle and padded carry bag.
With its dramatic design, the Bowhead outdoor graphic display is designed to catch people's attention and deliver impact in any outdoor application, from sports meetings to retail forecourts.
Eurostand Display says the textile-based graphics systems are available in three heights - 2.85m, 3.45m and 4.45m. Each model incorporates a three-piece hi-tensile aluminium pole. These are treated with a special powder coating that gives the system a huge 12 year external use lifespan.
Assembled and working in seconds, the Bowhead is anchored using a heavy duty, weather-proof ground spike which is supplied as standard. Other bases are also available, and include a square base plate, car wheel plate and scissor stand to enable the product to be used in a wide variety of applications.
Eurostand Display says it routinely plans for seasonal demand for all its products and so has secured stock ready to ship within 24 hours of order to anywhere in the UK or mainland Europe.
Like all of Eurostand Display's products, the Landmark and Bowhead systems come with a five-year guarantee.
For further information visit www.eurostanddisplay.com
Foamalux plus Tekcel equals quality
Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00
Brett Martin's environmentally friendly substrate, Foamalux Xtra, which was showcased by CNC router experts, Tekcel CNC Solutions, at Sign & Digital UK this year demonstrated the exceptional processing capabilities of this greener choice proving that this recycled option does not compromise on quality.Manufactured from recycled foam PVC recovered from production and post consumer signage waste, Foamalux Xtra is a material option comprising a black recycled core of up to 80% recycled content, sandwiched between pristine white layers of virgin material which creates a better quality finish for all types of processing. Foamalux Xtra is available in 3mm and 5mm single sided options (S1 Xtra) and 10mm & 13mm double sided options (S2 Xtra) in sheet widths up to 1560mm.
Tekcel CNC Solutions, drawing on 20 years experience of CNC routing research and development, believe that Foamalux Xtra is one of the best PVC sheet products available for cnc routers with the added benefit of being an environmentally friendly material.
Marketing Director, Huw Davies, commented: "The excellent machining properties of Foamalux Xtra complement the high production capabilities of Tekcel routers and people are amazed by the finish quality that we produce straight off the routers."
Brett Martin's Foamalux Foam PVC range has a reputation for quality and performance with endless applications in the sign, display and print industries. Tekcel's router range is available in a range of popular bed sizes all the way up to 4m x 2m as standard. Tekcel is also capable of delivering custom CNC solutions for companies with specific requirements that fall outside its standard model range.
For more information on Foamalux Xtra or the entire Foamalux range telephone 028 9084 9999 or visit www.brettmartin.com
Further details on Tekcel CNC Solutions can be obtained by calling 01275 342668 or visiting www.tekcelcnc.com
SloanLED Apollo module now available at ThyssenKrupp Materials (UK).
Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00
With the launch of the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme by the Government and people looking to reduce their energy bills, it's important that the efficiency of LED modules isn't overlooked in signage.
ThyssenKrupp Materials is proud to be able to offer the signage market, what the company claims is the most efficient LED module available, the Apollo. Developed by SloanLED in California, the Apollo module is the ultimate blend of brightness and efficiency, offering solutions for everything from built-up letters to large flex-face light boxes.
The Apollo module offers an outstanding output of 50 lumens per module, yet only consumes 0.48W of energy. This means that a full metre of Apollo modules would only consume just over 3W of energy. The advantage this brings for the sign maker is that they can power more modules from a single power supply without compromising the quality of the installation. This low energy consumption should also make it easier for sign makers to sell LEDs as an illumination option to their customers over more traditional solutions like fluorescent tubes. Low energy consumption means that the signage becomes cheaper to run and these savings can be used to offset the additional expense of LEDs over fluorescent tubes.
Not one to remain complacent with its module design, SloanLED's Apollo module now features IP68 rating. The internal components of the modules are completely encapsulated in resin to offer a greater level of protection and further piece of mind for both the sign maker and end customer. This is backed up by SloanLED's five year warranty, which has recently been extended to cover their entire range of module products and power supplies.
A further development is the lens technology featured in the Apollo module that increases the beam angle to 150 degrees, allowing the light to spread much further. What this means for the sign maker is greater coverage with less modules, reducing costs and making LEDs a more energy efficient, viable option for end customers.
As part of its 'complete' LED service, ThyssenKrupp Materials (UK) will create layout drawings free of charge for any sign maker so that they can see exactly what products they will require and where they need to be installed in the signage. They also calculate energy savings and CO2 reductions based on an LED sign versus a sign illuminated by other light sources. This can be a great tool for sign makers to use to sell LEDs as the better option as it allows them to give the customer a pay-back period on their investment.
For further information about the Apollo module or the other products in the SloanLED range, please call Ryan Mann, LED Product Manager on 07966 165742, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.thyssenkruppmaterials.co.uk
New Shiraz versions compound flexibility and functionality
Thursday, 01 July 2010 00:00
In a move consolidating a number of recent advances to its popular multi-functional RIPs, Shiraz Software has announced a raft of upgrades in new versions of its key software platforms for large-format output. While RIP Server v6.7 and the single-printer Signature v7.5 now encompass the potent, popular Adobe PDF plug-in as well as other important enhancements, Focus v3 includes innovative productivity features for photographic and fine art production.
Following the commercial success and positive response to its Adobe PDF plug-in in October 2009, Shiraz has incorporated it as standard in both RIP Server v6.7 for production environments with multiple devices, and Signature v7.5.
Adding to the fully HP-certified support for its latex printing technologies, Shiraz RIP Server v6.7 includes a throng of drivers for new machines. Users of Epson's Stylus Pro 7700 and 9700 are now fully represented, as well as those using the Stylus Pro 3800 with RGB ICC profiling enabled. Several members of Canon's imagePrograf family - the iPF650, 655, 750, 755, 6300, 6350, 8300 and 8310 - feature, as well as Mimaki's solvent-based CJV-30 print-and-cut series, the UV-curable flat-bed JFX machines and the hybrid UJV-160.
Version 7.5 of Shiraz Signature is bidding to become the most versatile, efficient and diverse low-cost platform on the market for single-printer users with a multitude of new, productivity-based components. A print mode widget allows a full list of configuration parameters and their values to be adjusted within given tolerances, providing owners the power to fine-tune their device to their specific requirements. Also, a new integrated tool for image browsing and management enables users to place multiple images quickly and automatically within the layout module.
Powerful graphical enhancements also star in the latest round of upgrades to Shiraz Signature, including refinement of fully ICC aware image previews which show accurate rendering of images as they would be printed. Any colour correction and changes on images are reflected instantly, enabling users to print with the confidence that their graphic will be reproduced accurately.
Focus v3 for the photographic and fine art markets benefits from a bundle of versatile new options, including further inclusion of pre-print image manipulation. While the core usability and layout enjoyed by users of Shiraz Focus has not changed, the main application now allows them to save and recall jobs, edit images in batches and add various frames and crop marks.
Shiraz's developers have counteracted the need to switch between a third-party image editing application and Focus v3 by developing a new image editor element. Basic enhancements - such as brightness/contrast, hue, saturation and lightness, colour balance and gamma - can be applied live with a before and after image showing the changes. All corrections and enhancements are previewed accurately and simulate exactly the printed output.
Shiraz RIP Server v6.7, Shiraz Signature v7.5 and Shiraz Focus v3 are available for the latest Windows 7 and Mac OSX 10.6 platforms. All products can be used in conjunction with the company's dedicated online support platform, CoverPlus.
For further information telephone 08456 802484 or visit www.shiraz-rip.com
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