Aluminum Composite Material: A Great Alternative
What is Aluminum Composite Material?
A starting point! I lead with ACM-built products. ACM gives me the ability to design a serving system for my client, something outside the traditional "foodservice box".
ACM is made up of two sheets of .02 inch thick aluminum, thermobonded to a polyethylene core in a continuous process, pre-finished in 3 standard colors and available in a multitude of custom finishes. This layering gives ACM the best properties of each material, and for indoor and outdoor applications many people favor its durability and lightweight properties. ACM is one-third the weight of melamine, and half the weight of stainless. This weight difference can really add up in an operator environment, that's why we offer this option on all of our V-Class Custom units.
At a Glance: The Benefits of Aluminum Composite Material
Lighter weight. By combining materials, ACM takes advantage of the best qualities of each material. One outcome is that the material weighs far less than wood or stainless steel. Lightweight equipment is more mobile - easy to install, easy to transport, and easy to move for cleaning.
Exceptional durability. Operators should think about how durability over the life of the unit will affect their customers' quality perception of their operation for several years after the installation. By combining aluminum and polyethelene, ACM achieves a much higher inch-for-inch, pound-for-pound resistance against denting and chipping. This helps the unit stay fresh and new looking.
Flexible equipment to change with the industry. Concepts, themes and menu changes are all big factors in today's business environment. ACM material is ideal for canopies and facades to make carts, kiosks, and serving lines stand-out from the crowd. The range of choices allows for flexible menu options.
Formable to the needs of the operator. ACM is the ideal material for curves, cut-a-ways, inset spaces, and complex geometries. ACM offers excellent formability and flexibility; combined with Vollrath's concept-to-finish in-house design capabilities, this results in units that are built to truly showcase the operator's branding from bottom to top.
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To sum it all up, ACM's light weight, durability, and formability are features that have a big effect on the final product, and they all carry through in the end users' experiences for years to come.