ROAD SIGNS AND SAFETY DEPARTMENT

The Road Signs and Safety Department is one of the departments using the most recent technology in the field. Its main processes:

Manufactures vertical road sign elements;

  • Installs vertical road signs using special equipment and qualified staff;
  • Installs horizontal road signs using special equipment and qualified staff;
  • Installs road metal guard rails using special equipment and qualified staff.

The vertical road signs’ manufacturing department is one of the most modern departments using the latest technology available in the field. The department comprises an area of 500 m2 and is built of metal construction and SW panels. The indoor space is separated with drywalls, the floors are laid with industrial resin and the entire department is lit with 4500 K LED lighting. To maintain the strict conditions required by the technology (temperature of 22°C – 27°C and relative humidity (RH) between 60 and 70 %) a central air conditioning unit, a humidity regulator and an aspirator (energy recovery) have also been installed.

Technological process for the manufacturing of the vertical road signage

a. Printing

Printing is the basic process for the manufacturing of any signage element. The shapes, sizes and colors are composed using a computer and in reference of the Road Code Standards. The process is performed with a Durst RHO 163 TS Printer, the latest model of the series, manufactured by Durst Austria GMBH, 2020 model, with a printing capacity of 50m2/h. The printing technology employed is UV Mode Digital Printing. The color system employed is C (cyan), M (magenta), K (key color, black) ICC profile, including also the TS (Traffic Signs) option with two extra colors R (red) & B (blue), which meet the EN 12899 Standard and the Republic of Albania Road Code Standard for Vertical Sign colormetrics. The materials used are authentic retroreflective products by 3M, manufactured and certified according to EN 12899.

The products used are:

    • 4090 DG3 D3 white DS class RA3 according to EN 12899 12 Years;
    • 3930 HIP white DS class RA2 according to EN 12899 10 Years;
    • 7930 WHT AEGP digital printing class RA1 according to EN 12899 7 Years;
    • The tonner used for printing is also by 3M (uv inkjet ink).

The printer calibration was performed by the “3M” company engineering staff, who have trained the staff and certified the “SALILLARI ltd” company as a Vertical Road Sign manufacturer, in accordance with the EN 12899 requirements and as a 3M materials distributor. The printer possesses also a profile to print graphical works on any material such as: wood, metal, paper or various adhesives.

b. Lamination

Lamination (covering products in a protective layer) is a process that is carried out using the CREST TS 1600 Laminator, manufactured by Crest Dutch Machineri B.V. Netherlands, 2020 model, with a production capacity of 150m2/h. The machine uses high pressure and temperatures of up to 60°C and the required technological parameters to apply protective layers on materials printed using the UV Mode Digital Printing technology. The machine can laminate wood, metal, paper or various adhesives. Additionally, the laminator is calibrated by the 3M engineering staff. The materials used are authentic road sign retroreflective products by 3M, manufactured and certified according to EN 12899.

The products used are:

  • 1140 Protiective film class RA1 according to EN 12899;
  • 1170 Antigraffiti film class RA3 & RA2 according to EN 12899;
  • 1160 Antigraffiti film is a material used to erase graffiti when the product is installed on the road.

The laminating process is highly important, as it enables the product to be used longer and ensures the accuracy of the colormetrics values defined in EN 12899.

Profile calendering is carried with the 3 rvc rolls Kalander CNC.

c. Cutting

The cutting of the product in the final form is performed with the ZUND S3 L-1600 machine, manufactured by Zund Swiss Cutting Systems, 2020 model, with a cutting capacity of 2m/s. This is a universal machine that can be used to cut at predefined depths with an accuracy of 1/1000 of a the millimeter, cut at an angle, make Bevel cuts, as well as boring and milling. The materials processed can be wood, metal, paper or various adhesives.

d. Application

Application (adhering the retroreflective material on the metal sign) is a process that is carried out by the ROLLSROLLER 600-T (6000×1600) mm applicator, manufactured by Rollroller Flatbed Applicator Sweden, 2020 model. The applicator has two application rolls pressurized up to 10 Bar, which adhere the material to the metal sign, in line with the manufacturing parameters predefined by 3M as the manufacturer and according to EN 12899. The metal signs are imported from the EU countries and come with product certificates, which are compliant with the EN 12899 requirements and those of the Road Code of the Republic of Albania. In addition, products are stored in line with the guidelines and procedures provided by the 3M engineering staff.
In addition, products are stored in line with the guidelines and procedures provided by the 3M engineering staff.

Vertical road sign installation

The installation of vertical road signs is performed by qualified staff in a timely manner and with high quality, in line with the EN 12899 requirements. In addition, this team has been trained by the 3M engineering staff to perform installations in accordance with all the project technical requirements and EN – 12899, as well as the Road Code of the Republic of Albania requirements.
REDL1737

Horizontal road sign installation

The installation of vertical road signs is performed by qualified staff in a timely manner and with high quality, in line with the EN 1436 requirements on retroreflectivity and colormetrics parameters. Horizontal signage is realized using a CMC ARL 90 Italy road marking machine, 2020 model, which has a marking capacity of 5km/hour. The machine uses an airless and spray technology and is adaptable to mark lines up to 70 cm wide. The material is imported from the EU countries and comes with product certificates, which is compliant with the EN 1436 requirements and those of the Road Code of the Republic of Albania.

Installation of road guard rails

The machine employed for the guard rail installation is a 36.5 kW Pauselli brand Batipal, 2018 model. The installation capacity is 1,000 m/8 hours, due to the high installation productivity and flexibility of Hilti, Beta and Milwaukee equipment.