Lighting an Acrylic Sign

[SAR.Summerlin]

So I think this is the thread to post this in. I have a customer who wants their sign to look like the attached. I know how to make everything except the lighting effect. Can someone help?

 

[Aklaim]

There is an LED strip at the bottom of the sign directing the light up and through the acrylic. It's called edge lit, or edge lighting.

 

[GVP]

Edge lit acrylic, I think. Graphics are engraved/routed into the back side of clear acrylics, and the edge lit by a strip of LED's

 

[SAR.Summerlin]

This is the sign unlit. It looks like cut acrylic letters have been applied for part of it and maybe frosted vinyl for the other parts. In the first picture it looks like each letter is individually lit is that created by the led strip? Also is the strip just at the bottom or on all the edges?

 

[edgette]

For small items like that I would laser engrave the back and with the edge lighting it will show up like that. For something that size you would be better off masking with the proper vinyl and sand blast the letters. Edge light with LED strips, apply the lettering to the front (I don't see any added depth so that may just be regular vinyl lettering), add the standoffs and you're all set.

 

[Matt-Tastic]

when you engrave acrylic, you create a facet in an otherwise flat, clear surface. if you edge light a flat surface, it just passes the light through, but once the light hits the facet, it refracts from the light outward and creates the "glow" for the lettering. the clear transmits the light through, but it doesn't show until it hit an angled surface.

its a very cool effect.

 

[g&eprinting]

http://www.lumenedge.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=2

 

[SAR.Summerlin]

Wow thank for all your help. If anyone has anything else on this please post but I think I have enough now to start working on how to get this done.
@g&eprinting that link is priceless would have taken me forever to find those.

 

[g&eprinting]

No prob. If anyone has any other links for the same please post.

 

[SAR.Summerlin]

So my boss asked a question can this effect be accomplished with frosted vinyl instead of etching.

Also that site doesn't explain how to run the power that i can find. Can someone help me with that. At this time we are looking at a 6ft length to the sign.

 

[edgette]

Maybe with the frosted vinyl but I'm kind of doubting it. It says you need the power supply found on a separate page http://www.lumenedge.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=6 It also looks like you'll need to put two strips together, the longest size listed is 4 ft.

 

[sfr table hockey]

http://www.lumenedge.com/store/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=2

Thanks as well for the link.

Anyone using similar to this for outdoors?

If so what did you use?

 

[synergy_jim]

frosted works but no where near as well as engraving into the surface with a cnc or laser.

 

[SAR.Summerlin]

Any recommendations on someone that can do at least the etching for us? I have a request out to a local plastics person but they tend to be a bit expensive. We have also sent a quote request to Gemini any others that you have had success with?

 

[edgette]

With a sheet that big you may need to find someone with a CNC router that has a table that big. As I mentioned before, you could mask off the area with vinyl and sand blast it. You might have an easier time finding someone who can sand blast instead of finding someone with a laser or router.

On a side note, the lumenedge stuff is very cool. I'm trying to figure out some new singage that I can display to sell something like that. Perhaps the coolest, most expensive custom night light...

 

[fixtureman]

I do a lot of cutting for a printing company in Ohio that you may wany yo contact for this. They are the sister company to a trade show company that goes to Vagas all the time with their own semis. They even have a house and warehouse out there. The company is called Direct Ink and the trade show company is Formatech exhibits.

 

[g&eprinting]

http://www.amazon.com/5MM-Master-Eraser-Airbrush-Sandblaster/dp/B0026SLGLQ

http://www.harborfreight.com/air-eraser-kit-99636.html

http://www.riders.com/mini-sandblaster-abrasive-sprayer-set?gclid=CMfL_pX7krICFUGo4AodPkUAxw

http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-abrasive-blaster-kit-37025.html

I have the last three and they work freaking great up to 90 psi. and using regular vinyl or paintmask. If you go higher than 90 psi get sandmask.

 

[g&eprinting]

http://www.harborfreight.com/21-oz-hopper-gravity-feed-spot-blaster-gun-95793.html

I have this one too.

Laser coming soon.

First pic is a re-do to darken the money. Pics installed is the lighter version but lights up nice with the new darker one.

Reverse etch, Then reversed printed and cut on 3651 clear and lined up.

Aluminum oxide grit 70 grit and 220 give you different effects. 220 better for Wedding glasses, more frosted look and a lot more gentle.

 

[g&eprinting]

Ed hubbs Glass etching with the kids....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cRLARtnT3c

 

[g&eprinting]

Wear Safety glasses too though, you do not want this grit in your eyes at all.

Don't know why this moron doesn't put some on the kids.