Polycarbonate Overlaminate

[Squidrax]

Hello All;

New Roland user here. Long time sign maker.

I am using a 5 mil Seal brand Polycarbonate overlaminate on 3M IJ180CV3-10.
Using the polycarb for graphic panels going into high traffic areas.

3M wont guarantee using anything but their laminates and the Seal guy
told me the Polycarb sticks to anything.

Has anyone tried this ?
___

Also, having issue with wrapping the edges of the panel ... wants to puff up around the edges.
Will try heat & burnishing to get it to behave. Any other suggestions ?

Thanks !!

-s-

 

[graphicwarning]

I don't think I can help on this one, but I am just curious why you are wrapping the laminate/print around the edges of the panel?

 

[SightLine]

The only way you are going to prevent it tenting up at the edges that way is to hard crease the material at the edge. But you then run the risk of the rigid laminate cracking.

 

[paul luszcz]

I haven't done this in a few years, but we were taught to use a rotary cutter, not knife blade, to trim polycarbonate. It prevents this from happening (don't ask me why).

 

[Squidrax]

I don't think I can help on this one, but I am just curious why you are wrapping the laminate/print around the edges of the panel?

Our client is paranoid that the prints could lift over time.
Work is for permanent exhibit

We do not have ability to frame edge for this application.
Wish we did.

Someone mentioned hard crease ... tested this with variable results.
Will keep practicing.
____

What about the materials ... anyone use the 5 mil polycarb over control tac ?

-s-

 

[Squidrax]

3M won't recommend anything other than their own stuff...standard operating procedure.

We use 3M IJI80cv3 w/ 5mil Drytac Emerytex and 10 mil Lustex and it bites to it fine.

You won't get it to wrap around corners due to the fact that you're dealing with a thick plastic laminate...it's just not intended to do that.

Thanks for this ... figured.
What about the "lift over time" concern?

Almost no experience with Control tac.
Seems like its not going to go anywhere.
____

Will be rolling it down also, so should have enough pressure to
cause adhesive to do its thing.

-s-

 

[squareba]

I would love to see some of this stuff, any pictures?

Alan
Atherton Media

 

[Squidrax]

I would love to see some of this stuff, any pictures?

Alan
Atherton Media

New user here ... really appreciate everyone's help.
I have been assimilated into the culture

Here is my test fix ... took hard roller to edges of panel in attempt to crease
the polycarbonate overlam. Pulled like hell and wrapped round edges to lap
onto back of panel by about two inches.

Now I just have to wait for it to fail ... or not.

-s-

 

[Mosh]

it won't lift...well it is only as good as the film it is covering.

 

[synergy_jim]

wrapped edges with polycarb laminate is ridiculous....

it will fail faster with that crazy edge treatment than it would with a flush cut.