The Framers Forum

Hi
I have recently used 3mm dibond to mount and seal121cm x 91cm inkjets onto.
I didn't want to use a subframe on the back and so was advised to just
use an aluminium bar near the top of the panel and an foamex spacer
at the bottom, so that they would lye flat against the wall.
A zipper hook system was used to hang the panels.
Unfortunately the panels have started to warp!! and I need to put it right.
The alu bar and spacer were attached using VHB tape.
Any suggestions ? It would be greatly appreciated.

Might be that mounting something similar to the reverse of the dibond would have helped.

I imagine it's just possible that doing so now would correct the warp.

Hi Mike,
Do you think that the foamex spacer is causing the warp ? as the back
of the panel is Alu

James

Very interesting and curious.

We've just had a stand at the Sign show at the NEC. In that market, Di-Bond and similar panel products are considered the bees knees.

It's two sheets of aluminium with a solid or foamed plastic core. Di-Bond is a brand by Alusuisse, and should be the very best. There are many other makes around.

We'll be offering it as a stock item in due course, and like you are on a big learning curve with handling it and hanging it.

The bowing is mystery, as the usual causes of moisture and heat should not apply to this material.

We are currently testing some largish self-adhesive steel hanging plates which look good and spread the load across the panel, especially if two are used. But, they are not adjustable.

Another thought is that 3mm is maybe just not thick enough and 5mm would be more stable.

Yet another thought is to fix it to the wall with Velcro strips top and bottom. Don't use our Heavy-Duty Velcro. We tried that on some displays recently - it works so well that we bent the displays trying to peel them apart!

I'll be following this thread with interest.

Hi Martin,
Thanks for the advice.
Unfortunately the client cannot attach anything to the wall that's why
we have to use the Zipper hanging system and can't use velcro.
It really is a mystery as we have a sample one at our office and it is
ok!! Like you said Dibond should be stable in most environmental
conditions - thats why we chose to use it.
On the next batch we are not taking any chances and so are using
a timber subframe.
I will be adding timber to the back of the existing panels, I'll let you know
happens.

Thanks, James