FIDAR System's ACM panels consist of two thin aluminum face sheets bonded to a polyethylene core, creating a rigid, lightweight composite sheet. Available in 8 face/back combinations for maximum design flexibility. All panels are 3mm total thickness on 4×8 ft sheets.
ACM panels can be cut with a circular saw (carbide blade), router, or shear. V-grooving allows crisp bends without breaking the core. Do not use a laser cutter — the aluminum face generates reflective damage. Edges can be finished with edge trim or folded returns for a clean appearance.
ACM panels are a standard material in modern commercial building facades and exterior cladding systems. The lightweight composite structure allows large panel sizes to be installed at a fraction of the weight of solid aluminum or stone, with a consistent painted finish that is weather-resistant.
Sign shops across Canada use ACM as the primary substrate for flat-cut logo panels, building signs, and the side returns of illuminated channel letter signs. The white matte face variants (WM+WM and WM+WG) are the most commonly used in the signage industry for print and vinyl-applied sign faces.
Retail interior contractors and storefront fit-out companies use ACM panels for fascia cladding, entrance canopy soffits, and brand-colour store exterior elements. The panels can be V-grooved and bent to follow reveals and transitions without additional framing.
Trade show display builders use ACM panels for modular exhibition walls, booth structures, and branded display systems. The lightweight composite makes large-format displays practical to ship and assemble, and the range of face finishes provides design flexibility.
Commercial interior contractors use ACM for elevator cladding, lobby wall panels, and high-traffic interior surface applications. The Black Matte + Black Gloss and Mirror Silver variants are particularly used in premium interior spaces.
How to Fabricate ACM Panels — Aluminum Composite
Measure & Mark
Mark cut lines on the protective masking film. ACM panels have a matte paint face - pencil marks show well. For V-groove bend lines, measure from both ends and mark clearly before setting up the router.
Saw to Size
Cut ACM panels with a circular saw using a fine-tooth carbide blade (80T+). Keep the blade cutting from the face side to minimize face sheet chipping. A CNC router with a compression spiral bit also produces clean cuts. Do NOT use a laser cutter - the aluminum face reflects the laser beam and will damage the machine optics.
V-Groove for Bends
To create a clean 90° fold, route a V-groove through the polyethylene core using a V-groove router bit, leaving the back face sheet intact. The depth of the groove determines the bend angle. After routing, fold along the groove line - the panel will bend cleanly to the desired angle without cracking.
Fold & Fasten Returns
After V-grooving, fold the panel to the required angle and secure the return with rivets, screws, or panel tape applied to the internal polyethylene face. For sign returns, pop rivets at 150–200mm centres provide adequate strength.
Apply Graphics & Install
For vinyl graphics, clean the face with IPA before application. ACM's smooth factory-painted surface accepts pressure-sensitive vinyl films and direct UV printing. For building cladding, fasten to the sub-frame with concealed rivets or aluminum extrusion clips per the cladding system specification.
| Property | ACM Panels — Aluminum Composite | Solid Aluminum Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~5.5 kg/m² (lightweight composite) | ~7–12 kg/m² depending on thickness |
| Rigidity | High panel stiffness for 3mm composite | Heavier; rigid through thickness |
| Surface options | 8 face/back combinations - matte, gloss, metallic, mirror, brushed | Limited colour options unless painted |
| Fabrication | V-grooving for clean bends, circular saw, router | Requires metalworking tools - shear, brake press |
| Price | $57.44–$127.44 CAD per 4×8 ft panel | Higher for equivalent panel dimensions |
| Laser cutting | Not suitable - aluminum reflects laser beam | Not suitable for standard CO2 laser |
ACM stands for Aluminum Composite Material. It is a sandwich panel consisting of two thin aluminum face sheets (0.2mm or 0.3mm) bonded to a solid polyethylene core. The result is a rigid, flat panel that is significantly lighter than solid aluminum of equivalent panel size. The face sheets are factory-painted in a range of finishes - matte, gloss, metallic, brushed, or mirror.
Yes. ACM panels can be bent using V-grooving - a routing technique that removes the polyethylene core along a fold line, allowing the face sheets to be bent cleanly to 90° and other angles without breaking. This is how sign shop fabricators create letter returns and clean reveal transitions on building cladding. Do not attempt to cold-bend ACM without V-grooving; it will crack the face sheet.
Yes. ACM panels are a widely used exterior cladding material and are engineered for outdoor exposure. The painted aluminum face is weather-resistant. However, not all ACM grades have the same fire rating - for occupied building facades in Canada, check local building code requirements for cladding material specifications.
ACM panels at FIDAR System are available with 0.2mm and 0.3mm face sheet thicknesses depending on the colour combination. The 0.3mm face variants (White Matte + White Gloss, Black Matte + Black Gloss, Mirror Silver) have a slightly heavier, more rigid face - preferred for applications where the face will be handled frequently or needs to resist denting.
No. Laser cutting is not suitable for ACM panels. The aluminum face sheets reflect the CO2 laser beam, which can damage the laser optics. ACM should be cut with a circular saw (fine-tooth carbide blade), jigsaw, or CNC router. Shearing is also possible for straight cuts.
3mm aluminum composite material (ACM) panels in 8 face/back colour combinations. All 4×8 ft. Includes white matte, brushed silver, metallic silver, pastel green, sea blue, black matte, and mirror silver configurations.
Price per sheet
$57.44CAD
SKU
24WM0719-256-ACM-YT-M007+YT-White/Whit-0.2-3
