Nameplate Blog

Harley-Davidson Tank Badge

This Harley-Davidson tank badge stands out as an example of product identification that pushes the boundaries of nameplate manufacturing.  The challenge presented in this project was to duplicate a diecast look.  The advantages that an aluminum nameplate brings over a diecast part are reduced weight, higher more consistent quality and reduced cost.

This nameplate features a combination of high gloss transparent grey on the letters with a low gloss matte finish on the background and beveled edges.  All graphics are outlined with an embossed border which is also diamond cut creating crisp detail and a highly polished look.  The badge uses a deep emboss to give the part dimension comparable to that of a diecast part.

The entire profile of this part has a gentle contour which follows the shape of the tank.  Adding diamond cutting across a contoured part is a three step process.  The first step is embossing the area which will be diamond cut.  Next, the diamond cutting process removes a very thin layer of aluminum from the embossed graphics.  Finally, the part is formed.

Here is an example of what the part looks like after it is diamond cut. 

Further economy is gained on this badge by using two different form tools to create a left-hand and right-hand part.  The two parts share tooling up until this point minimizing capital investment. 

A foam adhesive with a tear tab is used for assembly of the badges to the tank.   

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