For approximately six years, Jacksonville, FL-based Harbinger Signs (formerly Quality Sign Co.) has fabricated signage for InMotion, which operates more than 30 airport-retail shops that specialize in entertainment- and technology-related products. The company produces four various storefront signage dimensions to match custom, allotted spaces. To optimize storefront space, the company has also produced such custom signage as 3-D, interior, header panels and 10-in.-diameter, round logos.
According to Steve Williams, Harbinger’s president, the adoption of lean manufacturing has helped the company conserve time and materials. He said, “We design individual sign components to be CNC routed and folded with an automated brake machine, which grated reduces traditional welding time. And, we’ve implemented one-piece, flow manufacturing. This means that, rather than handling an order as an entire batch, we focus on fabricating and assembling one sign and its components at a time. This allows higher quality, better speed and, ultimately, greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.”
To fabricate the InMotion program, Harbinger used 3M vinyl media, 3A Composites’ Sintra PVC foamboard, acrylic, Aristech Acrylics’ Acrysteel impact-modified acrylic and aluminum. To achieve InMotion’s unique “play button” logo, Harbinger created a 3-D mold on its CNC router. The company then fashioned the faces in a vacuum-forming oven, and then painted the second surface with Akzo Nobel low-VOC paint. InMotion’s series of push-through cabinets also incorporates digital graphics produced using Harbinger’s Mimaki JV33 solvent-ink printer.
Williams noted the signs’ structure allows convenient access to internal components, and he said US LED and GE Lumination Tetra LEDs have reduced the company’s energy costs for the signs 60 to 80%.