Keep a “Boxer” in Your Shop for ACM Panels

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Introducing the BOXER from Saw Trax. It can take on all comers materials.

One of the many great features of ACM panels such as Dibond, Max Metal, Polymetal, and others is the product’s ability to be scored, folded, and then transformed into dimensional shapes. The formed shapes are perfect for building point-of-purchase displays, lobby signs, tradeshow exhibits, back lit signs, lighted sign cabinets, architectural elements, and more.

Some substrate cutters have attachments that can groove one specific type and thickness of material. If a thicker version, say 6 mil instead of 3 mil, or a different type of material, say Alumacore vs. Dibond, the option of V grooving no longer exists.

Most high-production sign shops today have a panel saw. With the Saw Trax panel saw, the floating router option allows you to V groove all types and thicknesses of ACM sheets with one cutting too, the Floating Router. A router is kind of like a super strong drill that instead of cutting straight down like a drill, cuts in from the sides using a bit designed to cut from the side. This V grooving bit is what takes the material out and allows the material to fold. Besides forming 90 degree bends, these router bits offer a sharper bend like 108 and 135 degree bends.

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Since the router is a powerful cutting tool like the saw, it is not difficult to pull through the material like the V grooving tool of substrate cutters that depend on “elbow grease”. In other words, anyone in the shop can V groove with this attachment.

How does it work? All Saw Trax Panel saws feature an interchangeable carriage system that allows for a multitude of cutting attachments to be used in place of the standard circular saw. To switch attachments, simply release the two quick release pins on the top of the carriage and switch out cutting inserts – the whole process only takes seconds. Using our Floating Router attachment fitted with an ACM folding router bit you can easily score and bend your aluminum composite panels to a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your needs. Today’s ACM panels are available in a variety of thicknesses and our Floating Router can accommodate them all. Once your ACM router bit is set to the correct depth the unique design of our router plate maintains a constant pressure on the face of the ACM panel. This ensures an accurate depth of cut, which is essential for shaping these panels.

Larry Holbrook, the new General Manager of Saw Trax Mfg., shows a five-sided box he cut with the floating router option of the Saw Trax panel saw with a flat-end V bit.

Looking for more information? Check out the Dibond Fabrication Manual.

For more information about the Saw Trax panel saw or their floating router option, visit www.sawtrax.com, email them at [email protected], or call 888/729-8729 888-SAW-TRAX.