Case history: corporate signage made with Compocel AL panels

The corporate signage project represents a concrete application of Compocel AL structural aluminium sandwich panels in a permanent outdoor environment. The project involved a set of backlit built-up letters, a solution widely used in visual communication for industrial and office buildings, which requires structurally reliable materials, long-term stability and compatibility with precision machining.

Context and design requirements

Large-format outdoor signage requires materials capable of delivering reliable performance over time. In addition to resistance to weathering, the project required high surface flatness, precise edges ,a lightweight structure to simplify installation operations, and a substrate compatible with the integration of lighting systems.

In this context, the use of a structural aluminium sandwich panel represented a targeted technical choice, capable of combining structural, qualitative and aesthetic requirements into a single solution.

The technical solution: Compocel AL

The selection of Compocel AL was driven by technical considerations related to the overall quality of the application and its long-term durability. In this project, the use of a sandwich panel with an aluminium honeycomb core enabled a more structural approach, providing higher stiffness, improved dimensional stability and more predictable behaviour under thermal variations and environmental loads.
The aluminium skins ensure uniform, easily machinable surfaces compatible with finishes intended for outdoor use, making Compocel AL a reliable technical solution for built-up letter signage designed for permanent installation.

Panel configuration and manufacturing

The signage was manufactured using Compocel AL panels with 1.0 mm aluminium skins, a low-density honeycomb core with 9 mm cell size, and a total panel thickness of 80 mm. The overall structure measures 1400 mm in height and 4200 mm in width and consists of five separate elements, designed to facilitate handling and installation.

All panels were edge-closed, a key technical solution for outdoor use, both to protect the honeycomb core and to improve the overall durability of the system. The surfaces were subsequently painted black, in line with the corporate logo.

To further enhance the final result, the signage was completed with a LED backlighting system integrated into the panel structure and supported by a stable, dimensionally reliable base..

Conclusion

The corporate signage project represents a concrete example of Compocel AL used in a real, permanent application. It demonstrates how a structural aluminium sandwich panel can be effectively employed in outdoor environments while maintaining lightness, dimensional stability and aesthetic quality over time.