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The Museum
of Road Signs and Signals
and street lighting
The manufacture of a road sign
Virage Signalisation company
November 2023
MuSé was invited to visit the facilities of Virage Signalisation in Ciney, a company specialising in the manufacture of road signs, among other things. Together, Le MuSé and Virage progressively detailed the stages in the manufacture of the G2000 type sign, using an illustration of the MuSé logo.
The first step is to provide a high-quality logo for the screen-printing team to work on. It is then prepared to be sent to print.
An ultra-modern digital printer is used. Little by little, the MuSé panel emerged from the machine. The printer is calibrated to work on a future panel measuring 60 cm by 40 cm. As soon as it comes out, the ink is dried by a heating device. Here, the printing is carried out on class 3 retroreflective film.
In this experiment, two panels are printed side by side. Once the printing is complete, a new protective film is applied. This film protects the prints, enhances the work and is anti-graffiti.
The film is then positioned on a special cutting table. During the preparation of the proof, the screen printer has provided markings which have also been printed and which will be recognised by the machine at the time of cutting.
The automatic cutting process is complete. We can see what the final shape of the road signs will be.
It's time to prepare the aluminium sheet that will hold the cut film. First of all, it is important to degrease the surface. If there is any roughness in the sheet, it is sanded locally.
The printed film is positioned on the sheet, which measures 60 cm by 40 cm, and then glued in place using a roller controlled by the technician.
Each panel is identified by its date of manufacture. There is also a complex system for tracing the order and the material used. Here: November 2023.
The four corners of the panel are cut out.
Manual strapping. This aluminium profile is prepared in advance according to standard signage templates. Two half rings are required for this model. For a triangular sign, three pieces are needed, and one for circular signs.
Two splice bars are placed in the strapping channel and crimped by machine.
The strapping is attached to the panel sheet by pressure at the back of the support.
Sometimes a stiffener (of which there are two types) is placed on the back of the panel, depending on the requirements when the order is placed. To fit this stiffener, the surface must first be degreased.
A primer is applied where the stiffener will be bonded.
The stiffener is glued directly to the back of the panel.
The finished panels are inspected and packaged for delivery.
The signs are finally up and running.
Thanks to Virage!
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