GEDAKOP is a simple system for producing your own single or multi-coloured anodised aluminium panels. The dye is added to the anodised layer of the aluminium and the finished panel sealed in hot water. This 'subsurface' imaging produces permanent scratch and solvent resistant aluminium panels. The GEDAKOP aluminium is available from stock in sizes up to 500 x 1000mm and thickness' from 0.2 to 3.00mm. It is ideal for 'one offs' or short production runs. For large quantities the screen printable GEDALU is available.
Standard GEDAKOP and GEDALU has a matt aluminium finish. 'Polished' finish material available on a non-stock basis for approximately 20% extra.
Nine simple steps - All that's needed to produce an anodised aluminium panel!
To view the Gedacolor demonstration video, please click above image.
| 1. Produce an Artwork Design the panel using dry transfers or CAD outputting to a pen plotter or laser. Any opaque image on a transparent or translucent carrier will suffice. Our LaserStar film produces superb artworks. |
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2. Cut material Select a piece of GEDAKOP and cut to size using one of Mega's shears. |
| 3. Expose to U.V. Place the positive artwork on top of the GEDAKOP panel and expose in a UV unit. For optimum results use a Mega AY vacuum UV unit. |
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4. Develop the image Develop the exposed image by placing the panel under running water. Blot the panel with newspaper and dry with a hot air blower or hair dryer. |
| 5. Dye the panel Apply the appropriate colour dye or dyes to the panel. Remove excess dye and dry with a hot air blower or hair dryer. |
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6. Strip the Photoresist Remove the Photoresist from the panel using the stripper. |
| 7. Seal the panel Place the stripped panel in a Mega Sealing Tank for 45 minutes minimum. This will offer excellent protection sealing the dye within the anodic layer itself. |
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8. Punch the panel Add any required holes using a press. |
| 9. Finish Trim to final size using a Mega Shear and apply radius corners with a Corner Rounder. |
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Gedakop
A convenient way of introducing yourself to Gedakop is by the following introductory kit:
GM916 Introductory Kit
Containing one each of the following 160 x 250mm Gedakop sheets
0.5, 1.0 and 1.5mm, 4 colour dyes
30ml each Black 12, Blue 44, Yellow 64, Red 74, 60ml touch-up, 60ml thinner,
500ml stripper (ready to use) 10 applicator pads, 4 sheets 160 x 250mm double
sided adhesive sheets and instructions on use.
Gedakop Anodised Aluminium
GK132 sheet size 320mm x 500mm
GK166 sheet size 500mm x 660mm
GK150 sheet size 500mm x 1000mm
Gold Gedakop Anodised Aluminium
GL132 sheet size 320mm x 500mm
GL132 sheet size 500mm x 1000mm
Gedakop Consumables
Colour Dyes
A range of 29 colour dyes are available. Some of the more
popular colours are listed below.
GM108 Colour Swatch
An aluminium colour swatch of all 29 colour dyes.
GM110 Touch Up
60ml of liquid touch up fluid for 'filling in' any unwanted holes
in the Photoresist after developing.
GM120 Thinner
Can be mixed with the dyes to lighten colours, will also strip
protective seal from a sealed panel.
GM130 Stripper
Liquid stripper for removing Gedakop Photoresist, in ready to
use or liquid concentrate form.
HB104 Applicator Pads
A pack of 100 pads for applying dye to the developed panel.
Double Sided Adhesive Sheets
Used to apply a self adhesive backing to Gedakop or Gedalu panels.
Stainless Steel Sealing Tanks
A completed Gedakop or Gedalu panel should be immersed in 90°C+ water for at least 45 minutes to seal the dye molecules in the surface of the aluminium, thus protecting the panel from scratching or by chemical attack from solvents etc. To carry out this process a range of sealing tanks are available, each consisting of a thermostatically controlled heated stainless steel inner tank which is thermally lagged and placed in a sturdy wrapper. Each tank is supplied with a number of baskets which hold several panels during sealing.
HB320 and HB660 are single phase 2kw and 3kw units.
Larger Sealing Tanks available upon request
Sealing Consumables
Gedaseal solution needs to be added to the water used in the sealing
tank. It helps seal the panels and prevents excessive ingress of dye into the
sealing water. 'Seno' universal solvent is needed to remove the protective seal
and clean the fin-ished sealed panel. The solvent can also be used to thin the
Gedalu screen printing pastes.
Gedalu - anodised aluminium for screen printing
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For larger runs of an identical panel or sign, screen printable Gedalu is strongly recommended. The same high quality aluminium is anodised and chemically protected but no Photoresist is applied. The image is added to the bare aluminium by the screen printing process. The aluminium has been anodised to 17 microns minimum to give excellent printed colour consistency. The sheets are chemically treated to keep it printable for one year after delivery and also to ensure it can be handled without any special precautions. Like Gedakop - panels are sealed after printing. |
Gedalu Aluminium - 500mm x 1000mm
Gedalu Aluminium - 1000mm x 2000mm
Where possible the 1000 x 2000mm sheets are cut to a smaller size (eg 500 x 1000mm) for ease of shipping. All above material has a matt finish. 'Polished' finish material available on a non-stock basis at extra cost.
Gedalu Starter Kit
An exceptionally good value kit to enable you to evaluate the Gedalu
system. The kit contains:
2 x Gedalu Screen-printing plates 320 x 250 x 0.2mm
2 x Gedalu Screen-printing plates 320 x 250 x 0.5mm
1 x Gedalu Screen-printing plate 320 x 250 x 2.0mm
1 x Gedacolor Screen-printing dye 50cc Black No. 12
1 x Gedacolor Screen-printing dye 50cc Red No 74
1 x Gedacolor colour swatch with 29 colours.
1 x Double sided adhesive tape 305 x 230mm
Gedalu Pastes
All Dyes 1000 gm pots
Type ‘N’ pastes for screening on other open pored anodised aluminiums are also available.
