METALPHOTO®
(Click to enlarge photo)
Photo-Anodized Aluminum Printing Process
The Metalphoto printing process utilizes high contrast, film negatives of the artwork or labels that will be printed on the photosensitive, photo-anodized aluminum. Typically, this step is executed with film processing equipment, imagesetters, or laser printers. Once the film negatives are in hand, the application, environment, desired size and thickness will determine the plate material. At Aluma Photo-Plate Co., we suggest using photo-anodized aluminum because it is the sturdiest of all materials, able to withstand and outlast almost everything, however gold, and copper options are available if you choose. Once the Metalphoto plate is exposed to the film negative for anywhere between 5-30 seconds, developer and fixer fluids are applied to in the Metalphoto Zip Processor. This step is what activates the color on the plates, the parts exposed to the light turn black while the unexposed areas remain the natural color of the plate. Following the fixer, the plate is then rinsed. Adding or intensifying color or background on the plate is an optional step that follows the rinsing. Finally, the most important part of the Metalphoto process is the sealing, which is done with a special solution. This final step is what gives the Metalphoto plate its longevity and durability by sealing the image and closing the remaining open anodized pores.
METALPHOTO® Advantages
When your material must measure up to your toughest requirements, specify photo-anodized aluminum. This material will look as good as new for a lifetime of performance. It's clear, sapphire-hard, anodized layer resists chemicals, paint, oil, abrasion, and dirt. The sealed black graphics are metallic silver particles that assure metal photo labels hold up to extreme heat and sunlight exposure as well as being UV resistant. The rigid aluminum base will not peel, crack or delaminate and this process thrives under harsh conditions.
METALPHOTO® is a photo-anodized aluminum printing as referred to within MIL-STD-130N. The anodizing process resists chemicals, abrasions, UV, extreme heat, graffiti and will not peel, crack or delaminate. It is the preferred material where service life is expected to be up to 20 years. Specified for Military, Offshore, Aerospace, Government & Industrial applications.
- Nameplates
- Control Panels
- Panelfronts
- Compliance & Mil-Specs
- Serial / Model No. Tags
- Write-On / Type-On Labels
- Product & Equipment I D Plates
- Operating Procedure Labels
- Recognition & Award Plaques
- Plant / Tree I D Markers and Signs
- VIN, HIN, and Vessel Plates
- Interior Signage
- Computer Tags
- Caution / Warning / Danger Placards
- Load Charts, Radius Indicator Plates
- Scales / Dials / Faceplates
- Asset Tags
- UID / Bar Code Labels
- Exterior & Interior Signage
Metalphoto® photo-anodized aluminum comes with (four) finishes and (three) colors to choose from:
- MATTE:
A non-reflective surface used for Bar Code labels and tags requiring a non-glare requirement. - SATIN:
A simi-gloss, medium reflectivity, with a slight grain, and the most specified finish for Nameplates, Equipment Panels and Signage use. - #4:
A deeper brushed grain finish that resembles stainless steel. - GLOSS:
A mirror-like finish which is highly reflective and used mostly for the Recognition Awards & Plaque items. - SIZES:
The photo-anodized aluminum comes in sizes up to 24.0" x 40.0". NOTE: Not all thicknesses or finishes can go to this size so consult with us when selecting requirements such as thickness, size, finish etc. - THICKNESSES:
There are up to ( ten ) thicknesses to select from in the photo-anodized aluminum: .003" - .005" - .008" - .012" - .020" - .032" - .039" - .063" - .090" - and .125".
Finishes
(Gloss, Satin, Matte, #4)
Colors
(Copper, Gold, Silver)
Metalphoto® photo-anodized aluminum images and graphics are sealed within a sapphire-hard, anodic layer protecting it from vertually any harsh exposure to heat, chemicals, abrasions, sunlight, gaffiti, cracking, peeling, and delamination.
Photo-Anodized Aluminum
Cross Section
The (Metalphoto®) photo-anodized aluminum is available in the
following thicknesses:
( .003 / .005 / .008 / .012 / .020 / .032 / .039 / .063 / .090 / and .125 ).
Here is just a visual representation of the thicknesses from .012 thru .125 and are not to scale of accuracy.
Please contact us to review your application to best determine the correct thickness to select for your project.
| INDUSTRY & GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS: Metalphoto®, photo-anodized aluminum meets and exceeds many DoD requirements including: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Mil-Std-130N | GGP-455B | Mil-A-8625F | Mil-DTL-15024F |
| Mil-P-514D | UL | CSA | ETL |
| CE | API Specs and others. | ||
