Rout and Return ACM Panel Fabrication
Every Sure-Panel composite system starts as a flat aluminum composite material (ACM) sheet that we CNC-route and fold into a rigid, finished panel. This rout-and-return method is what lets one panel work as a dry joint rainscreen or a wet seal system, and what lets us build flat, radius and custom-shaped panels in the same shop.
What does "rout and return" mean?
ACM is two thin aluminum skins fusion-bonded to a polyethylene or fire-retardant mineral core. To form a panel, a CNC router cuts a precise groove through the back skin and most of the core, leaving the face skin intact. The edges are then folded ("returned") back along those grooves to form a tray. The returns give the panel stiffness, a finished edge, and a place to attach the clip or extrusion.
Our fabrication process
Shop drawings and engineering. We lay out each elevation, panel by panel, and confirm joint locations, dimensions and attachment.
CNC routing. Panels are routed on CNC equipment for repeatable grooves and corners.
Returning and corners. Edges are folded and corners are finished.
Attachment hardware. Each panel is prepared for its system: the Sure-Panel rainscreen extrusion or wet seal clips.
Labeling and crating. Panels are labeled to the shop drawings and crated for delivery.
What we can make
Flat panels up to 59" × 193" in 3 mm, 4 mm or 6 mm ACM
Radius panels for curved fascias and towers (see Ferrari of Golden Valley)
Corners, soffits, canopies, fascias, eyebrows and column covers
Panels with contrasting-color reveals
Custom metal fabrication in our CNC Metalcraft shop: shearing, forming and rolling up to 16'
Why fabrication matters for performance
The routed groove depth, the corner treatment and how the returns are fastened control how flat a panel stays and how consistent the joints look across a wall. Because Sure-Panel is engineered and fabricated in one shop, the same team that drew the panel builds it.
Materials we fabricate
We fabricate Alucobond, Alfrex, Reynobond, Etalbond and ALPOLIC ACM in PVDF (Kynar) and anodized finishes.
Short lead times
Fabrication in as little as 3–4 weeks, or about 6–8 weeks including drafting (shop drawings). We ship nationwide.
Next steps
Pick your joint: dry joint rainscreen or wet seal. Then grab the spec and CAD details from the Specs & CAD library.
