ACM cutting for small signs

[BigSi]

Hi there!.

As you can guess I'm a newbie to signage (offset printing background). Is there a relatively cheap accurate way to cut ACM. (I'm looking for a tool or bit of equipment) for some reason I'm getting a lot of small ACM work ( Curb side parking signs, small information signs etc.). Just scoring with a knife and snapping is to slow (and not accurate enough) and I'm allways freaking out that a staff member is going slip and take the end of there finger off. (You should see our health and safety laws here). I do have a large Vertical substrate cutter. (FSC Fletcher Substrate Cutter) but this is not suitable for small cuts. I'm only a small shop and don't want to spend thousands (my ROI would not be good enough). At this stage I'm thinking of getting them all cut out and I'll just keep in store as blanks. (If I can find a local business that can do this for me, not holding my breath).

Your thoughts are appreciated.

thanks Simon

 

[azehnali]

how about a small flatbed

 

[Ynot_UK]

how about a small flatbed

I'm only a small shop and don't want to spend thousands (my ROI would not be good enough).

A small flatbed is still going to blow the OP's budget by many times over.
The tooling will need (at the least) to be able to handle 3mm Dibond, i.e. not an entry level table that will just cut thin vinyl.

 

[BigSi]

Yes not looking at big $$$. I guess I could go up to 5k and I'm happy for second hand. Maybe a little left field is the answer. E.g a standard woodworkers band saw except with a very fine blade and then something to smooth the edge. I don't know. 5mm ACM would be tough on a lot of blades.
Thanks for your advice.

 

[namelessentity]

When I worked at Kinko's we used something similar to this to cut Foam and Gatorboard. The cuts were always pretty clean, and it's a lot safer. I still cut myself a few times, but that was me being careless with blade changes, never while using the equipment.
It says it's rated to cut up to 1/2" (12.7mm)

Safety Speed Kronos 100" General Purpose Cutter - 4034

This Safety Speed Kronos 1000" General Purpose Cutter allows sign and graphic production shops to cut a wide range of sign material. This cutter is featured with a strong anodized aluminum base that incorporates a narrow groove that safety and securely accepts the blade tip during cutting.

www.mybinding.com

 

[kansasquaker]

You can use basically any router from Home Depot to cut ACM. I think our guys use a 6mm upcut bit. You could build a jig or buy a table for it. It won't be computer controlled, but you should be in the couple hundred bucks range. And it will be way safer than scoring ACM by hand. Yikes!

 

[Bly]

How about a table saw?

 

[Craig]

Look at a Fletcher cutter. Can be wall mounted or free standing.