Precision, speed, and reliability are non-negotiables in the sign fabrication industry. Whether you’re scaling your production, bringing fabrication in-house, or simply tired of outsourcing channel letter production, Computerized Cutters offers a suite of automated channel letter bending machines that cater to every level of production. And best of all, help make you money.
But which Accu-Bend model is best suited for your sign shop operation?
From the table-top Accu-Bend Freedom to the industry’s workhorse, the Accu-Bend Stingray, this guide breaks down the differences between the three core models: Accu-Bend Freedom, Accu-Bend ACE+, and Accu-Bend Stingray. We’ll explore each machine’s capabilities in terms of material compatibility, automation features, production output, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Accu-Bend Freedom – Full-Size Channel Letter Bending In A Compact Package
Best For: Small to mid-sized sign shops,
Material Thickness: Up to .040”; Machine Size: Table-top (use on a workbench, rolling cart, or shop counter)
Speed: Produce over 75 channel letters per day
Power Requirements: 120V AC power, standard 120V outlet, and compressed air
Price Point: Low
Don’t let its size fool you – the Accu-Bend Freedom delivers full-size channel letter bending, notching, and flanging capabilities in a compact, portable unit. This table-top channel letter bender is ideal for sign shops with limited space or those just starting out. Unlike traditional channel letter bending machines, the Accu-Bend Freedom can be used on a workbench or cart and plugs into a standard outlet.
Key Takeaway: The Accu-Bend Freedom is the most accessible machine in the sign industry for automated channel letter bending – perfect for small shops looking to boost productivity, lower costs, and reduce labor without a big investment upfront.
Accu-Bend ACE+ – Heavy-Duty Flexibility for Thicker Coils
Best For: Mid-sized sign shops seeking industrial quality at a budget-friendly price
Material Thickness: .032” to .063”
Machine Size: Industrial-grade, full-sized unit
Speed: 100+ letters/day
Power Requirements: 120V AC power + air
Price Point: Mid-range
Built to handle aluminum coils with ease, the Accu-Bend ACE+ simplifies the entire channel letter production process—automatically notching, flanging, and bending letter returns in minutes.
Built with a welded steel frame (not a bolt-together frame), the Accu-Bend ACE+ ensures decades of vibration-free accuracy and comes fully assembled and tested. This channel letter bender accommodates various letter sizes and offers quick changeovers, making it easy to swap coil heights for different channel letter depths.
Key Takeaway: If your sign shop produces large channel letters or wants future-proof flexibility with .063” material thickness, the Accu-Bend ACE+ is the sweet spot between standard and industrial-grade channel letter bending.
Accu-Bend Stingray – The Industry’s Most Advanced Channel Letter Bender
Best For: High-volume sign manufacturers and operations with diverse letter sizes, styles, and complex designs
Material Thickness: .032” to .063”
Machine Size: Full-size, industrial unit
Speed: Produce over 150 channel letters per day
Power Requirements: 120 AC power and compressed air
Price Point: Premium
The Accu-Bend Stingray is an evolution of the original, flagship channel letter bending machine that revolutionized the sign industry by becoming the first channel letter bender to automatically notch, flange and bend complete channel letters – and now it’s better than ever and is the most capable machine the sign industry has to offer. With the ability to handle a wide variety of material thicknesses and channel letter sizes (from tiny-serifs ⅜” using new dual bending arms to towering 20’ returns), it’s the machine of choice for serious sign manufacturers.
Features like pre-scoring for sharper corners, support for trimless and halo-lit letters, and an exceptional size and weight range make the Accu-Bend Stingray unmatched in terms of production capability. The Accu-Bend Stingray has the heavy-duty durability to run nonstop for decades of use.
Key Takeaway: When you need one machine to process complete channel letters fast, accurately, and at an industrial scale, the Accu-Bend Stingray is the gold standard.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Freedom | ACE+ | Stingray |
| Material Thickness | .032”–.040″ | .032″–.063″ | .032″–.063″ |
| Max Daily Output (approx.) | 75+ letters | 100+ letters | 150+ letters |
| Smallest Letter Size | ~6″ | ~6″ | ~3″ |
| Largest Letter Size | ~15′ | ~15′ | ~20′ |
| Portable/Table-Top | Yes | No | No |
| .063” Material Support | No | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Scoring Feature | No | No | Yes |
| Frame Construction | Welded Steel | Welded Steel | Welded Steel |
| Target User | Small shops | Growing shops | High-volume shops |
| Price Point | $ (lowest) | $$ | $$$ (highest) |
Final Thoughts
Every Accu-Bend model delivers automation, accuracy, and ROI. The real question is: how much volume, material variety, and flexibility does your shop need?
- Choose the Accu-Bend Freedom if space and budget are tight but quality and accuracy matters.
- Choose the Accu-Bend ACE+ for an affordable, powerful solution to run .063” coils
- Choose the Accu-Bend Stingray when nothing but the most proven, versatile, industrial channel letter bender will do.
Each machine is proudly made in the USA, backed by Computerized Cutters industry-leading 3-year warranty, toll-free lifetime support, and decades of proven reliability in the field.
Ready to automate your sign shop?
Get pricing or call (972) 422-6900 to learn more about the Accu-Bend channel letter bending machines.