Sheet Metal Supply LTD

AN INTRODUCTION TO ACM / MCM ATTACHMENT METHODS A wide range of metal composite material (MCM) attachment methods are available on the market. As an installer bidding on MCM projects, it is important to understand the available attachment methods in order to provide accurate quotes. While all methods utilize MCM sheet, the system components and fabrication methods vary allowing for a range of budgets to be met. Here's how I categorize the common MCM attachment systems: 1) Wet Sealed System • Joints are finished with backer-rod and sealant. • Panels are typically attached using perimeter fastened angle clips. • Panels can be installed in a non-consecutive fashion. • MCM sheet is routed and shop fabricated. • Panel attachment is concealed. 2) Dry Joint Rainscreen System • Joints are closed & finished with an MCM closure strip installed behind the panel that slides into a groove in the perimeter extrusion. • Panels are attached using a combination of perimeter extrusions attached to the panel returns and extruded aluminum clips that slide into the perimeter extrusions. • Panels must be installed consecutively due to the interlocking nature of the perimeter extrusions and extruded clips. • MCM sheet is routed and shop fabricated. • Panel attachment is concealed. • Some manufacturers offer a pressure equalized system. 3) Molding System • Joints are finished with an extruded aluminum molding • Panels attachment varies per manufacturer, but generally involves some degree of adhesive attachment. • MCM sheet can be field cut with no fabrication required. • Panel attachment is concealed. 4) Face Fastened Rainscreen System • Joints are open. • Panels are attached with visible screws that can be color-matched. • Panels can be installed in a non-consecutive fashion. • Panel attachment is exposed. 5) Dry Joint / Open Joint Hybrid System • Joints are open (there are no MCM closure strips) • Panels are attached using perimeter extrusions at long edges only. • MCM sheet is routed and shipped flat for field folding. • Panels must be installed consecutively. • Panel attachment is concealed. A common challenge when bidding MCM is conflicting architectural drawings and specifications. From incorrect system depths to bizarre non-existent attachment methods, confusion comes standard with MCM. What can bidding contractors do to protect themselves when quoting MCM projects? Two things. My #1 recommendation is to align yourselves with a qualified MCM fabricator and to become an expert in the systems they offer. This will enable you to provide design assistance when you are bidding to ensure your quote reflects a specific system. If you need a good fabricator I highly recommend Sheet Metal Supply LTD. My #2 recommendation is to submit RFI's beforehand based upon your expertise. Photo credit: Sheet Metal Supply LTD

A huge thank you to Phoebe McCorkindale and Sheet Metal Supply LTD for hosting IOC Construction employees! Your team provided an incredible tour of your facility, showcasing the cutting-edge equipment that helps us execute our projects with precision. We also sincerely appreciate the professionalism and hands-on training you provided on: ✅ Chimney cap coping installation ✅ Parapet wall coping installation ✅ Proper measurement techniques for flashings, openings, and copings to ensure accurate fabrication At IOC Construction, we truly value your expertise, hard work, and commitment. We look forward to strengthening our partnership and continuing to collaborate in the future! #ThankYou #Partnership #SheetMetal #IOCConstruction #Training

10 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW BEFORE TACKLING YOUR FIRST ACM PROJECT! As a former installer turned shop drawing consultant, I often look back on our completed projects with a lot of pride. I learned ALOT about ACM during my install years and I now utilize that knowledge to prepare ACM shop drawings for my clients. I would argue that the learning curve when installing ACM is relatively steep if you’re not used to thinking three dimensionally. ACM is alot like your child folding paper into origami and if you don’t understand a few key things, you might run into trouble and will probably lose money on your first few jobs. Realizing that the industry is evolving with contractors trying to add new products and services to their offerings, I thought it would helpful to outline some things that you need to know if you’re going to tackle your first ACM project. 1) ACM sheets are typically 62” x 196” which is an odd size and extremely large, yet lightweight. 2) The most common systems are referred to as “rout and return” which means exactly that — the sheet is routed on the backside with a V shaped router bit and then the edge returns are folded. The finished product is akin to a cake pan. 3) The typical panel returns (the side walls of the cake pan) are typically 1” resulting in a panel depth of 1”. 4) The exposed face of the panel after the returns are folded is referred to as the “panel face dimension” and the panel in it’s flat unfolded form is refered to as the “stretch out”. 5) Unlike phenolic or cementitious panels which must be installed as flat, monolithic panels, ACM has the ability to fold around corners, soffits and parapets resulting in some rather complex shapes that can only be analysed in 3 dimensions (I draft in 2D but think in 3D). 6) To not lose a lot of money on a project, it is CRITICAL that the panel face dimension (PFD) plus the 1” returns around the panel perimeter plus the router tolerances will yield well from the 62” x 196” sheets. For example, if you want (2) rectangular panels from a sheet they would have maximum panel face dimensions of approximately 59 1/2” x 95”. If the architect insists on 96” PFD you will throw out almost half the sheet and your yield will be horrible! 7) Some manufacturers offer custom sheet sizes or smaller sheet sizes in limited color offerings, but that’s for more advanced installers that have fabricator relationships already. 8) The (2) most common mounting systems are “wet sealed” with caulk joints and “dry-joint rainscreen” with ACM closure strips in the joints. Joint sizes are typically 1/2” to 5/8”. The system depth is a result of the mounting system. 9) ACM sheets with metallic or mica finishes are typically directional - the grain must always run the same direction! 10) You must work with a good fabricator! My friend Ben Kweton at Sheet Metal Supply LTD does awesome work and has (3) CNC routers to fabricate Arconic, ALPOLIC® Materials - Americas, 3A Composites and more!