Curved aluminum

[CanuckSigns]

I'm hoping someone can give me a few pointers, we are in the process of bidding on a project for a local university, they want a wall honouring alumni who have graduated and become successful. The right side of the wall (black) will have etched acrylic panels on stand-offs, which i have no problem with.

The right side of the wall is giving me issues, they are requesting it be a slightly curved, brushed aluminum finish, with acrylic letters attached. it is about 2' wide x 4' tall with a slight curve (about 2" in the centre)

Can any one shed some light on how to create this curve without having any visible fasteners? it can be completely separate from the black section, as long as it looks nice when it comes together. I've considered bending dibond over a frame of some sort, but i still can't get past the no visible fasteners aspect.

Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Cheers!

 

[rubo]

I don't think you could curve dibond that much - I would find a sheet metal shop capable of bending the alum sheet to your specs, make a frame with the same curve radius, attach - that is, after you made the sign.

 

[CanuckSigns]

Solid aluminum would be ideal, but i've never seen solid aluminum in brushed finish, does such a beast exist?

 

[fixtureman]

We curve dibond like that all the time. We use a roller bender

 

[synergy_jim]

We curve dibond like that all the time. We use a roller bender

^^^^^^^ what he said!

 

[CanuckSigns]

Bending is not what has me stumped, it's how to fasten the finished product flush on the wall with no visible fasteners.

 

[player]

3M double sided foam tape is used to stick airplanes together. I think it would handle you requirements.

 

[Jester1167]

Use a Vista Systems frame and put a piece of Chemetal brushed aluminum in it?

 

[DigiPrinter]

1/8" aluminum rolled to shape and painted MAP Brushed Aluminum. Stud welded on the back and installed. The studs can be placed 3" in from the ends and there's no worries about the rigidity of the panel cause 1/8" is going to be beefy enough. Pattern your stud holes on the wall, pre-drill, silicone the studs with a decent amount of silicone and push into place......done! Took me 15 minutes to install

 

[Pat Whatley]

VHB tape the panel to an aluminum frame. Stud mount the frame into the wall. Nothing to it.

 

[player]

Care to explain how you would stick a curved panel to a flat wall using only vhb tape....? I do agree that 3M makes great aircraft quality adhesives (we use them) but don't think that's the answer here. Even with a flat 2'x4' panel with acrylic letters, I'd be surprised to see more recommendations to use only tape.

(think liability)

In addition to a frame as explained by others. The tape could replace screws and brackets.

It was an idea.

 

[CanuckSigns]

Use a Vista Systems frame and put a piece of Chemetal brushed aluminum in it?

just goes to show you that sometimes the answer is right in front of your face, I think this may be the answer i'm looking for!

Thanks everyone for the tips!!

 

[Moze]

I would manufacture it with a couple of cleats.

You could stud-mount it, but that poses two potential issues:

- You would be attaching studs to a curved surface.
- Studs don't allow for any adjustment. If you use a cleat, you can slide it so it butts up directly against the adjacent panel.

 

[MikePro]

1/8" rolled aluminum with welded studs.

 

[Marlene]

roll it and then put 90 degree bends on the ends to create a tab and mount with that