Ascent Channel Letters CNC Bending Machines
We may not be the only ones in North America, but we have raised the bar.
Four CNC bending and trim machines cover every channel-letter style.
- Ascent-4AS / 5AS: trimless letters, reverse / halo without welding, illuminated plastic side return (industry first), and F-Trim. Compatible with non-proprietary UL Ascent extrusions, aluminum coils, and stainless steel
- EDGE3: traditional notching and flanging at the most competitive price in North America
- TMB3: the only machine to create trim from flat aluminum coils (industry first)
- MAX: bending machine for 0.080" up to 15" height and 0.125" up to 8" height
- Over 50,000 bending machines sold worldwide
- The price includes installation and training at your place
Ascent bending machine comparison
| Capabilities | 4AS | 5AS | MAX | TMB3 | EDGE3 | EDGE4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trimless letters with Ascent extrusions | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| F-Trim profile | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Reverse / halo (without welding) | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Traditional reverse / halo with welding | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Side illumination | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Maximum materials depth | 8" | 8" | 15" | 8" | 8" | 8" |
| 0.040" | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 0.063" | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 0.080" | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| 0.125" | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Flanging | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Aluminum trim cup from coil | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Plastic trim cup | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Output cutter | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Weeping holes | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Z connection on the top with holes | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Stainless steel | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
How to Select the Type of Bending Machine We Need
- For conventional channel letters that utilize trim or reverse / halo with welding — use the EDGE-3, EDGE-4, or TMB3.
- For channel letters that do not require trim and reverse / halo without welding — use the Ascent-4AS or the Ascent-5AS.
- For aluminum trim or plastic trim, use TMB3.
- For large cabinets over 8" or with 0.125" material thickness, use the Ascent MAX.
- For F-Trim, use Ascent 5AS.
Each of these styles consists of the following components: letter face (with or without trim), letter side returns, back, and lighting source (LED).
To automate channel letter returns, CNC bending machines are used. Traditional bending machines take flat aluminum coils and cut "notches" into the aluminum to create a flange. This allows for bending the aluminum into the shape of the letter, which can be done either automatically or, quite often, manually.
We developed our CNC bending machines to create channel letter returns from UL-certified aluminum profiles (suitable for indoor and outdoor use), as well as our unique pneumatic mailer gun. This system enables us to produce new-style channel letters that do not require trim. It also allows for the production of reverse / halo letters (that do not require welding) and incorporates our latest technology, which utilizes liquid polyurethane / epoxy as a replacement for cut acrylic in the face.
Furthermore, our system employs stainless steel clips to connect the back of the letter to the side return. The result is a cleaner letter that is easier and faster to produce, significantly reducing labor costs and simplifying installation.
With Ascent technology, we achieve superior price / performance
You can purchase the Ascent-4AS + Ascent-EDGE3 — or — Ascent-4AS + Ascent TMB-3 Trim machine — for almost the same price as one machine from the competition. The price includes installation and training at your place.
Over 50,000 bending machines are sold worldwide.