Star Signs Field Trip!

Materials and Processes took our 2nd field trip of the semester to none other than Star Signs!

They are custom sign makers who do work all over KC (Arrowhead Stadium, P & L District), as well as Kansas in general. They work on environmental signage, wayfinding, graphics, and identification signage. Generally their signs are made out of aluminum (as opposed to steel) because of the lightness and durability of the material, as well as its flexibility in combination with other materials. They make signs for universities (LSU), companies, and businesses.

90% of the time, Star Signs works in aluminum, but coupled with that, they use polycarbon, acrylics, photopolymer, and vinyl, among other things. They order metals from "Phoenix Metals in KC, and use CNC routers and a giant jump shear (kind  of jealous of their equipment, actually) to cut everything. They join things with fasteners of various kinds and welding. The final stage is printing the sign or attaching 3-D letters, and adding veneer. The sign is then sent off to clients.

Thanks so much to star signs for letting us tour their facility, it was quite the experience.

-RM