Diabond or the alternative Alucobond are Aluminum/PVC sandwich sheets originally developed for architectural sheeting. Both are commonly used for signage. Very durable and stable and expensive, more so than Sentra or Gatorfoam. If you were to go this route you would want to plan on reusing them if the exhibits aren't permanent. From a cost/performance ratio you should consider 1/4" foamcore and have both faces laminated at the same time so that the expansion/contraction ratio is similar. Paul Stromdahl Curator, Exhibits Chief Illinois State Museum On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 12:01 PM, Phil Raino <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Thanks to everyone for keeping the thread alive with helpful suggestions > and alternate approaches; I hope it's provided listserv members with a range > of potential solutions. > > I suppose I'll distill my experience into a cautionary tale: 1/8" foamcore, > with a printed sheet affixed on one side only, doesn't seem to resist > warping, regardless of the methods of adhesion used. I'd thoroughly > hot-glued an aluminum picture frame (sans glass) to the reverse of the > panel, but it simply would not hold, peeling off after ~48 hours. Velcro > tape was used for adhesion between board and frame, and it's keeping, but > unless the picture frame is more or less the exact same size of the panel > (give or take an inch), the edges will still bend towards the covered side. > I'll never use 1/8" foamcore as a standalone panel again. > > Has anyone used Dibond? My printer just recommended it. > http://www.graphicdisplayusa.com/prod_dibond > > > Best, > Phil > > On Fri, Jan 28, 2011 at 9:04 AM, Simons, Michael (ES) (Contr) < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> Phil >> >> >> >> Try liberally taping down all four corners and the edges (I use 1 inch >> Velcro tape – the real stuff and/or switch to gator board. Try not to make >> them so big. If they have to be big MDO works good but you will need to do >> some fabrication. >> >> >> >> >> >> Feel free to give me a call. >> >> >> >> Mike >> >> >> >> >> >> Michael Aurele Simons >> Director >> National Electronics Museum >> 1745 West Nursery Road >> Linthicum, Maryland >> 410-765-3803 >> www.nationalelectronicsmuseum.org >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> *From:* Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On >> Behalf Of *Meg Justus >> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 26, 2011 7:12 PM >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> *Subject:* EXTERNAL:Exhibit panels: Keeping them true. >> >> >> >> Something that has been done at the museum I'm freelancing for at the >> moment is printing panels on vinyl and hanging them like bell pulls (using >> cafe rods and cording) only much wider. They look classy, are inexpensive, >> and don't warp. >> >> >> >> Meg Justus >> >> http://mmjustus.com >> http://mmjustus.blogspot.com >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> >> *From:* Lauren Golden <[log in to unmask]> >> >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> >> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:10 PM >> >> *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] Exhibit panels: Keeping them true. >> >> >> >> Phil, >> >> We have had the same problem with our foamcore panels as well. One >> solution we have developed that has helped a bit is adhering long strips of >> foamcore horizontally across the back of the panel, which has helped the >> panel keep its form, although not perfectly. We have also had similar bowing >> problems with Sintra. If anyone has other solutions, we would be interested >> to know. >> >> >> >> *From:* Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On >> Behalf Of *Phil Raino >> *Sent:* Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:44 PM >> *To:* [log in to unmask] >> *Subject:* [MUSEUM-L] Exhibit panels: Keeping them true. >> >> >> >> Hello all, >> >> Our library's exhibits invariably incorporate informational panels, >> ranging in size fro 24" x 36" to 48" x 72", digitally printed and mounted to >> foamcore. These mounted panels get hung within wall cases, or via chain from >> a hanging rail on walls. I've run up against a persistent problem with some >> batches of foamcore exhibiting notable warping and bowing (depending on the >> season as well). If indeed similar panels are being used by you all in your >> exhibits: By what methods, or with which products, can these panels be kept >> rigid and flat, minimizing or even eliminating the bowing? >> >> The most obvious answer is putting the panels within oversize picture >> frames, but this results in... well, a distracting frame around the panel's >> graphics. Experiments with adhering unglassed picture frames to the backs of >> the foamcore panels have been less than successful. As we've no fabrication >> facilities on the premises, I've not been able to make wooden frames or >> supports. >> >> Is it simply a question of opting for the much-more-expensive Sintra or >> another material that isn't as warp-prone? >> >> Phil Raino >> Exhibits Developer, Special Collections Research Center >> The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library >> George Washington University >> >> >> ========================================================= Important >> Subscriber Information: >> >> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message >> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "help" (without the quotes). >> >> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to >> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). >> >> ========================================================= Important >> Subscriber Information: >> >> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message >> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "help" (without the quotes). >> >> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to >> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). >> >> ========================================================= Important >> Subscriber Information: >> >> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message >> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "help" (without the quotes). >> >> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to >> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). >> ========================================================= Important >> Subscriber Information: >> >> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at >> http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed >> information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message >> to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "help" (without the quotes). >> >> If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to >> [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read >> "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). >> > > ========================================================= Important > Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at > http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed > information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message > to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to > [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read > "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > -- npstromdahl | CREATES llc CREATE ORCHESTRATE EDUCATE 19525 35 Ave NE, Seattle WA 98155-2613 206 417 3014 (studio) 206 251 6354 (mobile) http://www.linkedin.com/in/npscreates Be paperwise and print only if necessary:) This email may contain confidential information that is legally privileged. If you are not the addressee indicated in this message, you may not distribute, copy or otherwise use the information herein. If you have received this email in error, kindly notify the sender by reply email and destroy it. Thank you ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).