How to make this directory board

[Signed Out]

We don't typically do a lot of directory boards, but would like to do more of them and similar larger projects.

We are in the process of quoting one now and I'm trying to figure the best way to construct it.

A drawing is attached to help visualize. The directory will have (8) 4'x2' tenant panels and a 10'x4' panel for the name of the park. The gray steel pillars are existing and in good condition. The tenant panels need to be easily changeable. We want to do an aluminum frame with painted aluminum trim which also acts as the slots which the tenant panels slide in and out of, just have to take one side off. We can weld the frame and/or trim, but we would prefer to do it all with fasteners (don't have to worry about warping from heat and easier to transport) We have done this type of frame before, but only for (1) tenant panel. With only (1) panel it's pretty straight forward (Illustration 1) make an aluminum frame and screw aluminum angle around the perimeter leaving enough room to create a slot for the substrate. My question here is what to do when having multiple panels, where the panels butt together in the middle? We could just butt (2) sections together and thru bolt them or weld them (illustration 2) but I feel like there is a better way. Maybe a "T" extrusion or "I" extrusion (illustration 3)? Or maybe I'm missing something and there is a way better way to do this.

How would you approach this?

Thanks,

 

[Signed Out]

So I found this 2" divider bar which I think will work well for the middle bars. I was going to use 3mm ACM for panels. I'm thinking that a .25" gap might be too much. Also not sure what suppliers carry this stuff?

 

[Chriswagner92]

So I found this 2" divider bar which I think will work well for the middle bars. I was going to use 3mm ACM for panels. I'm thinking that a .25" gap might be too much. Also not sure what suppliers carry this stuff?

We get that extrusion in 1 1/2" from Eastern Metal Supply, N.Glantz carries it as well. Instead of acm why not use 7328 acrylic so if they ever decide to light it they won't have to buy new faces? The customer will appreciate your forward thinking. You want a little bit of wiggle room for the 1/4" space. When you take 3mm out of that, or .177 for plex you're talking like an 1/8" space.