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The Nameplate FAQ page covers common questions in the following areas.
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Any product launch involves a timeline. You need product to be ready and available for trade shows, photo shoots for marketing promotions and ultimately to fill your vendor orders. Custom tooling can add significant time to the launch process. What if you don't have the time to wait for a tool build? Here are some examples of how Zero Motorcycles maximized the use of decorating processes and simple or existing tools for their recent model year launch.
The aluminum motor cover badge features an engine stripe mechanical finish with a matte black background. This contrast of aluminum on black gives a dimensional look while the engine stripe creates movement and visual appeal as it reflects light. A circular stock die is used for this part, taking advantage of existing tooling. This provided time saving to help keep the launch on track.
Aluminum battery labels also include the engine stripe process along with a pinstripe texture and a custom tint to create a distinct look. The engine stripe provides highlight for the ZF logo in lieu of a custom emboss tool. A pinstripe texture gives the label a dimensional appearance, separating the nameplate from the simple black battery. The nameplate was designed to withstand the environmental requirements of being located on a battery.
Textured polycarbonate is decorated with backlit graphics and the ZERO logo. The plug-in graphic lights up when the bike is attached to a power source, turning off when the battery is fully charged. A clean white color is used on the backlit graphic helping to make it stand out against the background.
Samples are a great way to explore and better understand options available in nameplates and labels. Northern engraving offers a Nameplate Materials and Processes Guide with numerous samples on metal and plastic substrates to assist you in the process.
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This real aluminum button features backlit graphics. The background of the button is spun to emphasize the authentic metal surface catching natural highlights and shadows. Engine start stop graphics are pierced in the aluminum using the Singular ID process to hold the islands of the A, R, O and P in place without an unattractive bridge. Insert injection molding is used to bring together the aluminum cap and two colors of plastic in one part.
Clear resin is molded behind the letters allowing for multi-color lighting with colored LEDs. The button design includes a bridge across the backside creating separate areas for each colored LED.
Molded in color is another option in the design of backlit buttons.
Material metal: .018"-.023" plastic: minimum thickness .040"Graphics minimum stroke: .028" (positive and negative) minimum radii: .008"
Northern Engraving manufactures metal and plastic switch buttons in a diverse range of processes. This illuminated aluminum button is the latest in our efforts to bring you new options in button design. What other applications come to mind for a backlit aluminum button?
Backlit aluminum dials are in demand for the aesthetic qualities and functionality they bring to gauge design. Backlit gauges and dials are manufactured using a combination of a decorated aluminum overlay and a polycarbonate backer with deadfront and backlit graphics. A pressure sensitive adhesive can be applied to the polycarbonate dial for final application to the product. The aluminum and polycarbonate pieces are laminated together creating an eye-catching integrated dial.
Aluminum dials can be decorated with mechanical finishes, transparent tints and metallic colors. Adding a spin to the metal dial creates movement. Embossed details accent the dial and are reminiscent of a watchmakers attention to detail. Fine graphics can be embossed and diamond cut further adding to the precision look. Technical finishes and textures integrated into dials create an endless palette of possibilities for your dial. Additional options include forming the aluminum dial and integrating multiple dials into one part.
Backlit aluminum gauges allow a designer to carry the decorative theme used on aluminum trim across the gauge design. Our expertise in decorating both metal and plastic substrates allows you to design a metal dial with the functionality of backlit and deadfront graphics.
What type of finish would you add to a backlit aluminum dial for your product?
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