Nesting aluminum composite (ACM) parts
Aluminum composite panel, often called ACM or by brand names such as Dibond, is used for sign panels, channel letter backs and cut-out letters. NestSigns packs these parts by their real outline onto your full sheets and leftovers.
Start free: 20 runs, no credit cardTypical ACM parts in a sign shop
- Channel letter backs, cut to the letter outline.
- Flat cut-out letters and logos for walls and monument signs.
- Panels and shapes that share a sheet with letters from the same job.
ACM costs much more per sheet than PVC, so every part that fits on a leftover instead of a new sheet saves real money.
Settings shops typically use
| Setting | Typical choice | In NestSigns |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet | Often 3 mm, in 48 × 96 in or 48 × 120 in, sometimes 60 × 120 in | Add a material per thickness and color, with full sheets and leftover pieces |
| Bit | A 1/8 in or 1/4 in bit made for aluminum or plastics | Type the bit diameter; the gap follows it |
| Rotation | Any angle for painted or plain panels; 0/180° only when a brushed or directional finish must line up | Any angle, 0/180° only, or no rotation |
| Edge | Keep a margin from the sheet edge if the edge is damaged or clamped | Set a margin; it is checked with the gap |
These are typical values, not rules. Follow your router, bit and panel supplier.
Leftovers and cost
Enter a price per sheet for each material and NestSigns shows the material cost of the job. The smallest leftover pieces that fit are used first, and marking the job done updates the stock with the new leftovers.
What else it does for letter jobs
- True-shape nesting by the real letter outlines: any angle, 0/180° only, or no rotation.
- Exact spacing. Type the gap or your bit diameter; every layout is checked and shows the smallest gap measured.
- Parts inside letter holes. Small pieces go inside O, A, B and D, and holes stay with their letter.
- Leftovers first. Full sheets and leftover pieces per material, smallest leftovers used first, stock updated when the job is done.
- Oversize letters left out, divided, or divided with a 1 in joining strip, pieces labeled A1, A2…
- Every part numbered on the sheets and on the original artwork in the layout summary PDF.
For channel letter work in general, see channel letter nesting. Cutting the faces and returns in PVC instead? See PVC letter nesting. After cutting, see how to sort and label letters after the CNC.
Questions
Can I keep brushed ACM parts all facing one way?
Yes. Choose rotation 0/180° only, or no rotation, so the finish lines up on every part.
Does NestSigns cut the V-grooves for folded ACM?
No. NestSigns nests the flat outlines and exports them for your CAM software, where you add grooves and toolpaths.
Can I see what the ACM for a job will cost?
Yes. Give each material a price per sheet and NestSigns shows the material cost of the nested job.
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