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he 2011 Decorative Surfaces Conference recently held at the Turnberry Isle Resort in Aventura Florida received very encouraging reviews. Twenty industry titans delivered presentations during the two day conference on an exciting array of topics. The Decorative Surfaces Conference curriculum, like that of the mission of Surface & Panel magazine is … uniting materials, technology and design. Innovative and enhanced surface materials, new technologies and the latest in design trends from around the world were common threads in each presentation and highlighted the international nature of the conference.

On behalf of Kurt Fischer and everyone at TCM Americas, I want to thank our fantastic speakers, devoted sponsors and each and every delegate who attended the DSC. All the best,

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John Aufderhaar Publisher • Surface & Panel jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com 1. JIM SHERBERT - BUSH INDUSTRIES 2. CHRIS AUFDERHAAR - TCM-AMERICAS 3. JOHN AUFDERHAAR - TCM-AMERICAS 4. JEAN BRIERE - SHAW INDUSTRIES 5. PETE O'SULLIVAN - DUPONT, DENNIS KINNE INTERPRINT, KENNETH PERRY - KAPSTONE, WAYNE FRANKLIN - MUNKSJO PAPER

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6. LEE MILLER - OCI MELAMINE 7. IFTIKHAR HAGUE - COVERIGHT SURFACES 8. JAKUB WALIGORA - SWEDWOOD

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9. LINN YEAGER - SOUTHERN CHEMICAL 10. MARTIN ENDERT - KINGS MOUNTAIN, INTL. 11. TOM JULIA - COMPOSITE PANEL ASSOCIATION 12. MATTHIAS KRULL - MUNKSJO PAPER 13. (L TO R) DON RAYMOND - UNIBOARD, PETER FUNDER FUNDER AMERICA, MARCO SANTORI - SESA S.P.A 14. (L TO R) KEN MCFADDEN - STILES, MICHAEL PHILLIPS - BAUSCHLINNEMANN 15. PATRICIA ANGULO - LAMITECH 16. (L TO R) JIM SHERBERT, DAVE FIELD - INTERPRINT, JOHN AUFDERHAAR - TCM AMERICAS, NORBERT MIX MUNKSJO PAPER, DON RAYMOND - UNIBOARD surface&panel

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Hot on the Market Alberti Woodworking has invested in an automated finishing line that gives the operation a specialized edge in the crowded woodworking marketplace.

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Lean it and Mean it Eastern Millwork Inc. is a premium architectural millwork firm that has embraced the most advanced manufacturing processes and technology to ensure maximum quality and value for every project.

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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

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Designed for Quality Care Healthcare design requires a special blend of aesthetics, performance and empathy. The architects and designers at IKM Incorporated, located in Pittsburgh, PA use these concepts to develop customized healthcare spaces.

John Aufderhaar Surface & Panel Magazine 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098 PH: 920-206-1766 FAX: 920-206-1767 jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com www.surfaceandpanel.com

Michelle Bruhn/Surface & Panel Magazine 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098 PH: 920-674-6943 FAX: 920 206-1767 mbruhn@surfaceandpanel.com

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Suzanne VanGilder/Surface & Panel Magazine 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098 PH: 608-698-0375 FAX: 920-206-1767 svangilder@surfaceandpanel.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

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A Well-Crafted Connection Rockefeller University’s $4.8 million Collaborative Research Center project is expected to repair and modernize two aging research facilities AND to create an environment that facilitates and stimulates connections between scientists, researchers and staff that work in the two facilities.

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Surface Design Guide 2011 Industry designers share their insights on fashion trends, emerging surface designs and applications. Preview a sampling of what is new heading into 2012.

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To LED or not to LED? LED solid-state lamps are becoming more popular for illumination.

The obvious reasons for consumers include things like energy efficiency, and extremely long life. But for the design world LED has even more compelling implications.

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ON THE COVER

Clean lines, high-gloss surfaces and integrated light are emerging design trends moving into 2012.

Surface & Panel is published bimonthly by Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, Wisconsin 53098, telephone 920-206-1766, fax 920-206-1767. John Aufderhaar, President, Christine Aufderhaar, CFO. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the publisher. Subscription policy: Individual subscriptions are available, without charge, to manufacturers who engage in panel processing, qualified service providers and suppliers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50, Canada/Mexico $75, all other countries $100, payable in U.S. funds. Single issues are $15, and must be prepaid. Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Printed in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface & Panel, 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098. Please direct all subscription questions and mail to: Surface & Panel, 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098 PH: 920-206-1766

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�

ealthcare design requires a special blend of aesthetics, performance and empathy. The architects and designers at IKM Incorporated, located in Pittsburgh, PA use these concepts to develop customized healthcare spaces. Pittsburgh has the oldest demographic in the United States outside of Dade County Florida, and with it a correspondingly robust healthcare/ senior care system. These market segments account for 85 percent of IKM’s work. “As architects we feel we have the ability to improve healing and affect the quality of treatment,” says Matt Hansen, Architect and Project Manager for IKM. “We believe that if given the opportunity we can be an asset to nurses and physicians and help them to do their job in a more efficient way.” IKM blends traditional, transitional and contemporary materials and colors to create specialized spaces. They also rely on established relationships with fabricators and suppliers to complete projects within the healthcare industry’s uncompromising timelines.

IKM was recently retained to conduct a review and analysis of each of the 13 West Penn Allegheny Oncology Network (WPAON) sites for compliance and aesthetic upgrade. A closer look at three of the medical suites designated to administer chemotherapy treatment is an interesting exploration of how projects that adhere to the same technical criteria can look completely different from one another. Hansen and his team took advantage of the aesthetic possibilities of engineered materials to create unique spaces that reflect the preferences of the caregivers at each location. Because each suite starts with different parameters, from a subterranean space with no natural light to a space with large south-facing windows, surface finishes and lighting strategy played important roles in creating spaces that have the spa-like feel patients and their families have come to expect.

“As architects we feel we have the ability to improve healing and affect the quality of treatment.”

MAT T HANSEN, ARCHITECT AND PROJECT MANAGER FOR IKM.

HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS DESIGNED WITH THE SAME PERFORMANCE CRITERIA CAN LOOK VERY DIFFERENT AESTHETICALLY DUE TO THE VAST POSSIBILITIES OF ENGINEERED MATERIALS. surface&panel

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COMFORT

The process of creating functional healthcare spaces begins with understanding the specific needs of the client. Hansen’s team met extensively with the ultimate end-users of the spaces, the WPAON staff, to learn how to best serve patients and practitioners. These stakeholders informed the spatial layout for maximum efficiency and were pivotal in the finish selection process. “Our goal was to make as comfortable an environment as possible throughout, from the waiting rooms, to the infusion rooms and into the staff spaces. We wanted all those experiences to be soft and welcoming and warm,” says Hansen. However, comfort is often associated with familiar things, such as wood finishes and water features, which are not practical for medical settings. “The question becomes, do you completely avoid those things, put down VTC and call it a day? Or do you start looking for high performance products that either simulate natural elements or provide the same abstract tonal qualities?” asks Hansen. For IKM, the choice is clear. Comfort through innovative material specification drives design. The corresponding case studies for the Jefferson, Mellon Pavilion and New Castle locations look at the unique design solutions IKM developed using engineered materials and light.

CARE

Patient comfort is only one component of a functional clinic.

Creating a space that is pleasant for the staff is also important.

“Quality of care is impacted by how care providers are feeling,” says Hansen. Each medical space designed by IKM is unique because it reflects the needs and personalities of the people who work there.

When staff is included in the finish selection process, not only do they feel more at home in the environment, but patients feel the space is more personal, and the treatments more humane.

C O N T I N U E D O N PA G E 1 0 ❯

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�e fferson At the WPAON Jefferson location the infusion room and nurses’ station are located in the back of the 5000 square-foot semi-subterranean suite. “The nursing staff for this location gravitated toward the familiar warmth of cherry wood. It is something people are comfortable with.

They have it at home,” says Hansen. “At the same time, wood does not work in a medical environment. We don’t want porous materials that support bacterial growth. The challenge is to find a material that meets the requirements for comfort, but also performs in a technical way in terms of cleanability and durability.” The solution was to specify Wilsonart HPL with the premium AEON ™ finish, which adds to the product’s durability and scratch resistance.

Natural light is a component that IKM includes in their spaces whenever possible, but there are no windows in the back portion of the suite where the infusion room is located. “We started looking at different ways to achieve ambient lighting that could almost simulate the warmth of daylight,” says Hansen. IKM used contoured panels by Modular Arts framed with HPL to create light features. “It is subtle, not decorative like a mural,” says Hansen. “It is more sculptural, more architectural.” Continuous LED lights tucked behind the wall panels wash down the face the contoured surfaces, creating an abstraction of daylight behind window treatments. “Lighting is key in showcasing the beauty of the materials,” says Hansen. Bulkheads finished in HPL and edged with aluminum reveals house overhead compact fluorescent lighting fixtures that provide task lighting for the nursing staff.

3Form resin panels are used extensively in the front reception area as a means of creating spatial separation from the main corridors of the building. That aesthetic is carried over as accent work on the front of the casework in the reception area and for the nurses’ station. ■

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Patients receiving chemotherapy are often self-conscious, so waiting areas are separated from the common corridors of the buildings either by solid walls or decorative panels. Conversely, the infusion room is set up for easy access and close proximity. “Although AIA guidelines dictate the spacing between the seats and mandate that there must be privacy available, we received patient feedback that there is a social component to treatment. Most appointments are regularly scheduled, and people form relationships while going through chemotherapy together,” says Hansen.

“We pay as much attention to the staff spaces as the waiting room, reception and treatment areas,” says Hansen. “It is a different initiative, but we practice it at IKM because it has a positive effect on everyone who uses the space,” says Hansen. Despite the differences in building envelopes and aesthetic finishes, all three WPAON locations are based on AIA guidelines and common sense.

“The first thing we always look at is the efficiency of the floor plan,” says Hansen. “We try to reduce the amount of steps that nurses and clinicians are taking on a daily basis. If we can reduce the fatigue and physical stress to their bodies, that is going to increase the level of care for the patient. That is evidence-based design supported by many studies.”

Confidence

The IKM team designs comfortable space and chooses materials that look good and can perform in demanding healthcare environments, but they rely on trusted fabricators to procure materials, build the pieces and install the finished products. Caseworks Inc., located in Youngwood, PA worked on all three of the featured WPAON projects. “We’ve been in business for close to 35 years,” says Bruce Kaufman, Sales Executive for Caseworks Inc. “We both fabricate and install, and our primary market is healthcare. We’re a listed vendor for the healthcare system in the Pittsburgh area, which is a very tough bid list to get on.” The demographic of the local population translates to very full facilities, and a lot of competition for the healthcare dollar.

“We strictly cater to our customers and we never drop the ball,” says Kaufman. “Years ago we would get an entire wing to renovate, but now hospitals are at 100 percent occupancy. So we get limited areas blocked off and every project is carefully phased. Not only that, but the mechanics of state health permitting and inspections are often set before the project has even begun, and they are totally inflexible.

If we have to, we work 24 hours a day to meet those schedules.”

The three WPAON suites are good examples of Caseworks’ core competency, custom projects that require specialty, high-performance engineered materials. “When it comes to materials you have to be able to rely on your supplier to give you what you need,” says Kaufman. “We have a very strong base here with a company called Distributor Services Inc. Nobody else in the area has the infrastructure to put together specialty goods like NAUF panels and custom laid up veneer quickly. If we need something from DSI tomorrow, it is here tomorrow.”

All of the cabinets Caseworks builds for medical projects are built from TFM with durable Wilsonart or Nevamar HPL exteriors. Panels fastened against walls have to be fire-rated, and much of that particleboard substrate comes from Flakeboard. “The designs that come from Matt Hansen are lighter and more durable because they are made from engineered materials,” says Kaufman. “For the client that means less weight from repetitive lifting and opening. But it also lets Hansen bypass chunky industrial hardware and go to a higherdesign European hinge. Both Hafele and Salice have products rated for industrial use. We get those from DSI too; they are a full service supplier. I don’t stock materials, and I don’t have enough time on my hands to call around and find everything we need for a project.” c o n t i n u e d o n pa g e 1 2 � 10

�ellon �avillion Early on in the design process the nurse manager at the Mellon Pavilion location asked for a water feature in the treatment area, just for the sound and soothing visual effects. However there is a lot of concern about bacteria whenever water is introduced into a healthcare environment. “She was connecting to the spa-like feel that a water feature can provide,” says Hansen. “While we could not carry over the sound component, we thought we could accomplish the visual quality in an abstract way.” Green-blue textured 3Form panels were formed into curves and hung from the ceiling. The pieces land in a simulated catch basin that contains a different 3Form panel, this one with encapsulated river rock. “We liked the river rock so much that it gave us the idea to float the material above the concierge desk as the transaction surface,” says Hansen.

High-pressure laminate with aluminum reveals is used throughout the casework at the Mellon Pavilion location to add the warmth of wood, but with the non-porous durability required in a healthcare setting.

Behind the nurses station a wall that looks like blonde wood is actually made from anti-microbial porcelain tile designed to look like vintage wood. White Corian solid surface serves as the countertop material throughout the space. “I think Corian is in its best form as a clean, white surface,” says Hansen. “I am not a big fan of imitation granite or stone. The fact that you can have integral sinks with solid surfaces is a huge thing in a healthcare environment because it eliminates a seam where bacteria and micro-organisms could thrive. The idea of everything being one piece is fantastic, but the reality is that could never be done with stone, it is incongruous. Why try to fool people into thinking that it is stone when the engineered material performs so well? I like the integrity of the material itself, and I like materials to stand on their own for what they are.”

Lighting also required special consideration at Mellon Pavilion. “We wanted to take advantage of low ambient light levels in the space so we weren’t creating a bright, clinical atmosphere,” says Hansen. “We also had a lot of natural daylight, which we partially controlled by placing 3Form panels around the perimeter of the treatment room, in front of the windows.” Compact fluorescent high hat lights, with individual dimmer switches, were placed over each chair to provide the nursing staff with appropriate task lighting. “It is common for patients receiving treatment to feel cold, so we also installed red heat lamps above each chair. The fixtures are separate from the task lighting and can be controlled individually by the patient,” says Hansen. “We have received a lot of good feedback on that feature. While it does provide some heat, it also provides the perception of warmth and comfort.” n

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That’s where Dave Dacenzo, General Sale Manager for DSI comes in. “Clients like Caseworks do a lot of work with the medical community here, so we are keenly aware of their specification products and their time sensitive parameters,” says Dacenzo. “It is our job to understand manufacturing lead times. Most of the folks that we buy our materials from are made to order companies, not made to stock companies. We deal with lead times that are measured in weeks, so we can deliver for our customers when their lead times are measured in days.” Beyond maintaining eight warehouses with a carefully selected product mix, DSI strengthens customer relationships by offering value-added services, like in-house capabilities to pre-laminate panels. DSI also has LEED AP professionals on staff to consult on specialty projects.

“When we introduce a new material into an environment, we need to know it is going to hold up to harsh cleaners and still look and perform the way it did when we first put it in,” says Hansen. And that is a responsibility that is shared throughout the value chain.

Healthcare design is one of those things that when done well, the result is subtle; a functional, comfortable space that expresses compassion and confidence. It is when finishes wear or layout is cumbersome that people tend to notice. IKM makes sure that doesn’t happen.

From a design standpoint, IKM works to reduce anxiety and make people more comfortable. And they do so with both patients and practitioners in mind. Specifying high-performance materials with traditional, transitional and contemporary aesthetics makes healthcare spaces that go beyond sterile institutions. “The healthcare facility market is really about making a difference in people’s lives,” says Hansen. “That is why healthcare design, to us, is so exciting.”

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�ewcastle IKM came into the Newcastle project as a tenant fit out, and the space presented a new set of challenges. “We had a tight treatment room spatially, but three walls of that treatment room had a lot of windows,” says Hansen. “With so much natural light we were limited in what we could do with light fixtures. This is a nine-to-five operation, most of that time there is very little requirement for artificial lighting, which is great from a patient standpoint, but we were not going to spend a whole lot of time selecting light fixtures if they were not going to really be turned on.” Instead the concept was to focus on a material and light fixture that would be apparent in the naturally day-lit environment. The solution came in the form of a specialty Corian product called Illuminations, a material that can be backlit with LEDs to create an interesting effect without increasing the overall ambient light of the space. The Illuminations solid surface material was used in conjunction with a wood design HPL. “Within each location, we intentionally used familiar finishes along side the modern looking materials to make the space feel less institutional and more comfortable,” says Hansen n

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“The healthcare facility market is really about making a difference in people’s lives. That is why healthcare design, to us, is so exciting.”

Matt Hansen, Architect and Project Manager for IKM.

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Hot on the Market B Y

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n some ways Fabio Alberti, President of Alberti Woodworking, is like many custom woodworkers. He was born into the trade and is completely dedicated to his business. But ten years ago Alberti invested in an automated finishing line that gave his operation

a specialized edge in the crowded woodworking marketplace. Alberti found that there was real demand for finishing services and pre-finished goods, and soon his competitors and vendors became his customers.

As the company’s focus shifted, Alberti looked for new ways to serve his expanding client base. “I saw such a great possibility for HotCoating that I jumped on, “says Alberti. “I wanted to be the first one to offer it to my customers. We are a very flexible shop, and the new technology that Kleiberit developed saves us a lot of time. HotCoating also lets us try lots of new techniques. So we do a lot of experimenting in-house and also for our customers. We catch all the curveballs.”

HOTCOATING TECHNOLOGY BRINGS NEW POSSIBILITIES TO FINISHING, INCLUDING HIGH-GLOSS FOR TFM, FORTIFIED PAPERS AND DYE SUBLIMATION. 14

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“The panels are ready to be used or processed right off the coating line. We can stack and ship immediately,” FABIO ALBERTI, PRESIDENT OF ALBERTI WOODWORKING

NECESSITY, THE MOTHER OF INVESTMENT

Located in northern New Jersey, Alberti Woodworking went into business fabricating pieces and then hand-spraying them. As the jobs grew larger in scope, it became cumbersome to finish in a spray booth. “We invested in equipment and it started to take off,” says Alberti. “People learned we had the equipment and asked us to finish for them.” Alberti’s finishing experience grew, and he started investigating Kleiberit’s HotCoating technology as a means of increasing productivity and offering a broader range of services. “There is a learning curve,” says Alberti. “We had to redesign the line and retrain everybody, including our clients. It was a whole new challenge, but Kleiberit has been extremely helpful in establishing the system. And it is worth it.”

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“The advantages of HotCoating are durability, shorter processing times, and being able to treat a wider variety of materials.”

Fabio Alberti, President of Alberti Woodworking

HotCoating is relatively new to the North American market. The

create non-slip surfaces. The PUR is inherently water and fire resis-

material used in the process is PUR, which is solid at room tempera-

tant, and because it is a flexible material, it can endure direct impact

ture. The PUR can hold additives in suspension to increase certain

and changes in temperature without cracking. In fact, PUR HotCoating

performance characteristics, such as aluminum oxide that enhances

is so durable and elastic that Kleiberit is currently helping customers

wear resistance. And because the material is solid, there is no need

refine the process for exterior uses. “It is a little more expensive,”

to mix before application. A pre-melter melts the PUR on demand, and

says Alberti, “but it is high-performance and wear-resistant. With

then it is pumped to a roll coater and applied to the board or roll mate-

the technology we can finish panels, but we can also HotCoat paper

rial. PUR HotCoating contains no formaldehyde and emits no VOCs,

and create an end product that breaks 10,000 cycles on the Taber

making it an environmentally friendly process. Further, 100% of the

Abrasion Test. That exceeds HPL. So with little more than the cost of

material that is applied to the board stays on the board. The moisture

the paper, you have something extremely durable at a lower cost with

present in the air is the catalyst that causes the PUR to cross-link and quickly cure. “The panels are ready to be used or processed right off the coating line. We can stack and ship immediately,” says Alberti.

New Advances, New Advantages

“The advantages of HotCoating are durability, shorter processing

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a bigger margin.”

Alberti is also taking advantage of HotCoating technology to laminate materials in innovative new ways. “We were playing around looking for new things we could do with the system and found that HotCoating sticks to melamine,” says Alberti. “The board is already sealed and

times, and being able to treat a wider variety of materials,” says

filled, so we can apply the HotCoat directly to the melamine and give

Alberti. “It saves time, and that is the idea that sold me. We don’t

it a high-gloss finish that looks like glass. That’s been getting a lot

have to sand between coats, we can seal, topcoat and done. Less

of attention.” Some of Alberti’s other developments with HotCoating

steps means less equipment, less maintenance, less overhead.”

include using dye sublimation to transfer images directly to HotCoated

HotCoating PUR may be applied in different formulations to both

surfaces and finishing glass. “I have my hands into many different

panel and rolled goods. It offers a durable, UV-resistant finish for tra-

opportunities right now with the new HotCoating capability,“ says

ditional applications, such as flooring, plywood, furniture and cabinet

Alberti. “Our clients are really excited because we can use the same

components. Technical HotCoatings are used in commercial prod-

HotCoating system for so many applications and uses. It is a win/win

ucts, and textures may be imparted for visual enhancements or to

all the way around.” s&p

K

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C O M P E T E N C E

P U R

KLEBSTOFFE • ADHESIVES

High Gloss

KLEIBERIT

PUR HM 709/704

KLEIBERIT Solutions for Glossy Surfaces!

Presenter at

Bonding High Gloss Foils • Brilliant optic also with thin foils • Excellent application characteristics • Optimised smoothing characteristics

in calendering • Good universal adhesion characteristics, e.g. to ABS • High green strength

HotCoating 717 Topcoat 817 HotCoating High Gloss • Use of cost effective standard melamine faced panels with wide variety in design • HotCoating offers excellent adhesion to melamine • Impressive depth effect • Revolutionary, easy processing (combination with laser roller or curtain coater)

LASERMELT® 787 PO LASERMELT® 786 High-end Edge Technology for High Gloss Surfaces – seamless glue joint • Perfect joint appearance • Free choice of edge material • More efficient production process • High temperature resistance >140°C (depending on the edge material)

KLEBCHEMIE M.G. Becker GmbH & Co. KG • Max-Becker-Str. 4 • 76356 Weingarten/GERMANY • Phone +49 7244 62-0 • Fax +49 7244 700-0 • Email: info@kleiberit.com KLEIBERIT Adhesives USA, Inc. • 109-B Howie Mine Road • Waxhaw, NC 28173 • Phone: (704) 843-3339 • Fax: (704) 843-4930 • Email: info.usa@kleiberit.com KLEIBERIT Adhesives Canada Inc. • 45 Sheppard Avenue East/Suite 900 • Toronto, Ontario M2N 5W9 • Phone: (416) 256-5842 • Fax: (416) 781-4901 • Email: info.canada@kleiberit.com

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AND

Lean It Mean It.

T

B Y

S U Z A N N E

V A N

G I L D E R

he term “lean manufacturing� is ironically overused. In its worst expression it is a euphemism for cutting corners, lowering cost and quality at the same time. This is the making of the classic race to the bottom that devastated the US furniture industry. With this operating model it is only a matter of time before it costs less to buy a superior product from off shores than it does to make a lower quality product in-house. The traditional justification is some variation on the theme that is it is difficult to compete with countries that have inexpensive labor and non-existent environmental policies. And while those statements are arguable in light of contemporary technology, automation, cost of shipping and global standards, the simple truth remains that it is impossible to compete if you are not in the game. The moment a manufacturer becomes a middleman, it becomes vulnerable should its supplier ever decide to eliminate waste and sell direct.

That is the worst case. In its best expression lean manufacturing eliminates waste without compromising quality. It is a concept that may be applied, to greater or lesser degree, to nearly any process.

Eastern Millwork Inc. is a premium architectural millwork firm that has embraced the most advanced manufacturing processes and

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machinery to ensure maximum quality and value for every project.

Andrew Campbell, President of EMI was enamored with carpentry from a young age. While still in high school, he started building specialty custom projects in small “pop-up” work sites adjacent to larger projects.

The people he purchased materials from began to recognize him and he was offered work in different building capacities, eventually finding himself in manufacturing. Early on Campbell observed that inefficiency in processing was unsustainable, so when he started his own small millwork operation he was very deliberate. Through investment in automation and technology, as well as recruitment of personnel from both European industry and academia, EMI has earned a reputation for engineering projects that no one else can figure out. From information management to production and installation, EMI has reduced all non-value added operations from their supply chain, while at the same time integrating information technology for unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Since its inception in 1992 EMI has grown not to be the biggest, but certainly one of the best architectural millwork companies operating today. Located in Jersey City, NJ EMI works primarily in the New York City region in conjunction with general builder and construction firms like Turner Construction. Read “A Well-Crafted Connection” on page 20 to learn how EMI’s investment in integrated BIM software and advanced manufacturing processes made Rockefeller University’s $4.8 million Collaborative Research Center project possible. n

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A Well-Crafted CONNECTION B Y

V I C K I

S P E E D

R

ockefeller University’s $4.8 million Collaborative Research Center project is expected to do more than repair and modernize two aging research facilities. A parallel goal is to create an environment that facilitates and stimulates connections between scientists, researchers and staff that work in the two facilities.

To help achieve this vision, the Mitchell/ Giurgola architectural firm and Turner Construction conceived a sweeping 8-level, glass bridging building that brings the historic limestone and masonry Halls together using vertical circulation areas. The bridging building incorporates floor-to-ceiling windows that take advantage of natural light and sweeping views of the East River. Inside, architects called for a metal structure with wood slats throughout the hourglass-shaped interior atrium to create an organic feel that melds with the outside environment.

Unfortunately, early estimates for the metal/wood design elements exceeded the allotted budget, giving Eastern Millwork, Inc. (EMI), a New Jersey-based custom architectural millwork fabricator, an opportunity to demonstrate an innovative connection of its own—the collaborative potential of interconnected BIM-to-field solutions with expert engineering—all while cutting the cost of the atrium design elements in half.

BIM ADOPTION

For more than a decade, EMI has worked to expand and streamline its CAD CAM connection in an effort to further the automation of its production processes.

Andrew Campbell, president of EMI, says, “Like many other specialty trades in the construction industry, globalization and 20

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the competitiveness of lower cost labor now vie for a share of our market. We must continually find ways to stay competitive and deliver value through ever more improved automated processes.”

Over the years, EMI has extensively leveraged Auto CAD 3D programs coupled with custom parametric scripts and a proprietary bar code drive production system that links concept to fabrication.

With the advent of building information modeling (BIM), the firm quickly recognized the parallels between its production and the project production. “BIM techniques are all about eliminating costly rework and reengineering in the field and, thereby speeding up the construction process,” says Campbell. “The industry move to BIM expands the envelope of information control, facilitating greater collaboration and automation of not only the production process, but the information process. Through this improved control, we can rethink the building process and the way we deliver a project.”

The next step was to find a way to improve the transfer of data from the field to the 3D model.

Enabling the jobsite

At the start of any project, EMI must replicate field scope and conditions in the 3D environment. For years, the firm relied on strings and chalk lines to gather the necessary data from the field.

The early scoping effort is typically a time-consuming process that involves significant time gathering data at the job site and additional time back in the office translating that data into EMI’s design software.

Because of the hand data gathering processes, there are often problems with inaccuracies once the engineers move to install the custom components at a project.

Not long ago, Campbell was on a jobsite and saw a subcontractor using a robotic layout solution to locate hangers and pipes for a mechanical system.

He noted a lot of symmetry in the contractor’s need to collect and connect positions that must tie to a digital model.

After a call to Trimble, EMI purchased a single Trimble LM80 Layout Solution. The robotic layout solution from Trimble lets EMI’s crews gather data in the field quickly and easily, helping them design and construct the seemingly impossible for less cost.

He adds, “If BIM is analogous to the written word that communicates an idea, then Trimble’s LM80 is the printing press that deploys that message to those interested in ‘reading’ the content. This technology connects the reality of field conditions with the model, translating what is in the model to the onsite craftspeople through robotic layout functions and delivering unprecedented precision in an automated function.”

The BIM-to-field connection was put to the test on the Rockefeller Collaborative Research Center.

The ABET Wood collection of high pressure laminates combines the look and feel of wood veneer with technically enhanced durability.

Real richness, real texture, real veneer…

Low VOC emissions: LEED contributing product

800-228-2238 • www.abetlaminati.com

Wood possibilities

The Rockefeller Collaborative Research Center is situated on the northeast corner of the university’s 14-acre campus on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. The bridging building is constructed over a parking lot. It incorporates conference and meeting rooms, restrooms and food service facilities as well as the central ellipsoidal atrium.

ABET Wood Ad 1/2 Page 4x10 Surface & Panel.indd 1 SandP_Q411.indd 21

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Originally, designers called for the atrium design to incorporate a metal structure with wood ribs. It would have been very challenging to keep the wood ribs level around the atrium’s ellipse and require very precise metal to wood connections with every position at a different angle.

Campbell says, “Instead, we suggested eliminating the metal framework and prefabricating large wood panels that could be installed at designated positions of the structure.

After some analysis of the concept’s structural integrity, the Eastern Millwork team built a mockup. The client loved the look and awarded EMI a design/build lump sum contract to complete the rest of the atrium design.

“We knew we could use the LM80 to define 3D positions along the sloped concrete cylinder to mount panel support brackets,” says Campbell. “We had one of our engineers create a script in AutoCAD that would draw the model and generate the information required to fabricate the parts.”

EMI engineers also developed script routines in AutoCAD that prepped the design file by adding field points that could be easily interpreted by the Trimble LM80 field software. Once the data was transferred to the Trimble field software, EMI engineers could precisely stake the attachment points.

Campbell says, “Keep in mind, we needed to perfectly locate the wood panels in space – not to a hard point. We located concrete edges and adjusted the model as much as possible to position the brackets that would support the panels. The brackets were to be mounted to the edge of sloped slabs on radius.”

Throughout the process, the general contractor combined EMI’s model with the other models developed by the various project team members to coordinate connections, clashes and construction processes.

“The BIM strategy affords people to make corrective action earlier in the game and eliminate costly rework during construction,” says Campbell. “In the case of the research center, the combination of skilled experts with this BIM-to-field connection allowed us to deliver a product that exactly met the customer’s specifications.”

EMI fabricated and installed the architectural millwork, including a complex atrium design. The first phase of Collaborative Research Center project, which includes the renovation of Smith Hall and the construction of the bridging building, was completed in early 2010.

BEYOND ACADEMIA

EMI has continued to derive benefit and competitive edge from its BIM and field-based connectivity on projects that range from sports arenas to performing arts theaters. Its production process is now completely BIM-driven. Information flows from the field to the model to the fabrication machines and then back to the field, allowing the company to find the most effective and efficient way to complete a project.

Campbell concludes, “The space between the design development and the deployment is becoming tighter and tighter. The ability to drive the information flow from the field to the model to the machine-driven automated process and back to the field is a reality – and within that reality, we are able to deliver our customers unprecedented value.” s&p

Beyond the leading edge software and RFID system, Eastern Millwork Inc.’s 40,000 square-foot facility is outfitted with equipment that would excite any machine enthusiast. See page 24 for a sampling

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❯

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Stiles is taking care of business.

Bargstedt IntelliStore system

We helped Moduform streamline material handling.

Moduform needed a better way to track, store, retrieve, and make best use of raw materials in their specialty furniture operations. Enter Bargstedt’s IntelliStore system. The completely automated system holds, retrieves, stacks, and feeds exactly the right panel stock for each job—and evaluates the remnants for reuse—all in one machine. The result? Better inventory control. Better material flow. Better use of material, people, and space. And—since materials are now retrieved and handled automatically—the Fitchburg, Massachusetts company also enjoys less forklift traffic and better organization throughout its plant. Visit www.stilesmachinery.com/moduform to learn more about their story.

Find out how Stiles can help you take care of your business. Call Stephan Waltman at 616.698.7500 or email swaltman@stilesmachinery.com. stilesmachinery.com

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Eastern Millwork’s equipment includes...

• Holzma panel saw • Italpress Storm/S flow thru hot laminating glue line • Bargstedt TLF 410 Optimat storage and retrieval system with laser eye • Weeke BHP 200 Optimat CNC machine center • Weeke ABD 100 Optimat dowel shooter • Holzma HPL 380 Profi beam saw • Homag optimat kal 310 with boomerang return • Specialized Homag VFL 79 profi thru feed postformer for fingerpull detail • Weeke BHC 550 Optimat CNC machine center • Ligmatech mph 400 Optimat case clamp PICTURED...

➊ Homag Optimat KAL 310 with boomerang return conveyor ➋ Specialized Homag VFL 79 ➌ Weeke BHP 200 ➍ Hand-held/wireless bar code scanner for inventory control ➎ Italpress ➏ Weeke BHC 550 ➐ Ligmatech MPH 400

➊

➋➌

➍

➎ ➏

➐ 24

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For Architectural and Cabinet Designers

Faster. Easier. More Intuitive.

A Powerful, Easy to Use Software Solution.

Commercial/Residential • Kitchens • Baths • Closets • Entertainment centers • Commercial cabinetry • China cabinets • Built-in wall units • Corner hutches • Computer desks

Step into KCD’s sophisticated software with KCD Designer, a full-blown, 3-D rendering program for architectural cabinet and space designers.

Powerful and easy to use, you’ll love its timesaving features, professional look and extra details. Create your own custom libraries and pull down menus tailored exclusively to your business.

KCD’s software suite grows with your business; with design, pricing, cut lists and manufacturing, whether you add features now, or later.

Custom sizes? No problem. With KCD’s highly advanced formula engine, you can customize your cut lists for both traditional and CNC construction.

Cost-effective and risk-free, you can purchase or rent at any level. If you’re renting and decide to buy, KCD Software will apply a portion of your rental directly toward the purchase price.

Call today for KCD’s powerful, fully-customizable software with unparalleled customer service.

Cabinet Suite Closet Suite Cabinet/Closet Suite Doors Plus

508.760.1140 • KCDsoftware.com Software You Can Build On™

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SURFACE DESIGN GUIDE UIDE

2011 SCHATTDECOR "SONOMA OAK"

Surface design trends emerging in 2012 go beyond superficial beauty. The following sneak peek looks

at how industry designers are moving forward with

texture, sustainability and light.

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SCHATTDECOR "PAINT SPLATTER"

SCHATTDECOR ❯ www.schattdecor.de

RENOLIT

❯

In their search for the ESSENCE of things, designers are turning to classical and familiar forms and combining them with new functions. This is reflected in Schattdecor's new trend themes, which show an accomplished mix of old and new and a merging of earlier means of fabrication with contemporary design, materials and purposes. In this revival of old handicrafts, the central design concern is not achievement of perfection, but its very opposite – imperfection. ■

www.renolit.com Renolit has added PET products to its range of 3D Laminates. The new Renolit Covaren PET collection is part of the Premium Collection and features six finishes containing four woodgrains and two solids. All are available one roll at a time from stock. Custom run capabilities include a wide variety of textures, woodgrain patterns, and solids. ■

RENOLIT "SWISS ELM" RENOLIT "ROXY"

❮ HORNSCHUCH www.hornschuch.com

Hornschuch creates a unique embossing structure with Stylo. Carefully utilized matte gloss effects shimmer in the light and accentuate the very natural plasticity. These threedimensional effects create amazingly realistic looks. skai® Sheffield is prototypical for the new wood designs, which are more lifelike than ever before. skai® Sofelto and skai® Damara are extravagant designs with an extremely realistic fur look. ■

CAMBRIA

❯

CAMBRIA "ABERDEEN"

www.cambriausa.com Cambria, the only American-made, familyowned company in the Quartz business, recently launched 12 new colors bringing their color palette to 96 colors. Influenced by the natural movement of water over stone, these trend-setting looks are reminiscent of granite and marble but have the benefits of Quartz. ■

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HORNSCHUCH SKAI "DAMARA"

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2011 SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

DUPONT CORIAN ® www2.dupont.com

The DuPont™ Corian® Terra collection, a growing selection of solid surfaces made by DuPont with recycled materials, has been expanded to include 33 colors, with five colors now having at least 20 percent pre-consumer, recycled resin content -- a claim that is certified by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). ■

Corian® Illumination Series gives designers the freedom to create with the most dynamic design element of all – light. Illuminations allows much more light to pass through than other Corian® colors, combining the many dimensions of light with a versatile material that can be thermoformed, bent, textured and cut. ■

DUPONT ILLUMINATION "MINT ICE"

T R A D I T I O N

DUPONT CORIAN "RICE PAPER"

M E E T S

I N N O VAT I O N

Since 1973, Funder America (FAI) has drawn from its centuryold Austrian heritage to bring vertically integrated innovation, technology and flexibility to customers throughout the U.S. Three strategically located TFM panel and component-manufacturing facilities include the Mocksville, N.C., headquarters, which houses Funder’s exclusive saturation business, large-volume panel lamination and full component capabilities. It’s also home to a recently added state-of-the-art powder-coating facility; MDF powder coating is a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly technology that offers design flexibility, seamless edges and an unlimited range of shapes.

Whatever your decorative surface needs, Funder has an innovative cost-effective solution.

Funder’s own Navigator Collection of 10 on-trend woodgrain designs brings excellent realism and rich character to panel-based furniture, fixtures and casework.

F U N D E R A M E R I C A AT A G L A N C E

■ Largest component fabricator in North America.

■ Vertically integrated company with a packaging division for labeling and assembly ■ Surface Synergies partner to provide exact matches for various laminates (TFM, HPL, thermofoil, edgebanding) 336.751.3501 | 28

www.funderamerica.com

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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2011

ROSEBURG

❯

SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

ROSEBURG DURAMINE DEBUT SERIES "LINEA" LEFT TO RIGHT: ACORN, AUBURN MAHOGANY, EVENING, TIERRA AND TWILIGHT.

www.rfpco.com North America is currently seeing its society gravitate towards living and working in major urban centers. This trend creates a high demand for rich dark colors to be juxtaposed to many new natural shades.

ABET LAMINATI

❯

The new Duramine Debut Series designs have a straight-grain design that fits 40s era, art deco, modern and traditional interiors. Urbanism, natural/organic experiences and the global market influence their patterns. Straight grains provide better design options in the commercial market because of cleaner lines and are easier to apply to larger areas with less manufacturing impact. ■

www.abetlaminati.com The new ABET Wood collection of high pressure laminates combines the look and feel of true wood veneer with technically enhanced durability. Unlike other veneer offerings, the 22 vibrant patterns are available in natural and reconstituted wood. A visual richness along with a tactile sensation from varying degrees of grain and color adds dimension. But beauty is only one of the benefits – all 22 veneers are stain, scratch and dent resistant. ■

BIERSON CORPORATION

❯

BIERSON "CRACKED EARTH"

www.bierson.com

Bierson created this decorative pattern from a digital image of dried mud. The organic design demonstrates their ability to produce architectural panels to the pattern and scale that any space may require while also incorporating brand identity. Also available in cubes, risers, shelving and more. ■

❮ RIKEN USA CORPORATION www.riken-usa.com

RIKEN "PREMIERE BLACK GLOSS" 30

Riken USA produces 3D laminate foils for seamless cabinet doors, office furniture and store fixtures using complex Japanese printing technology. Riken foil offers UV-resistance and lot-to-lot consistency.

Vacuum and membrane press the most complex dimensional profiles on routed fiberboard substrates in solid colors, patterns and realistic wood grains with satin, matte, desktop and high quality gloss finishes. ■

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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�

DVUV

www.dvuv.com UVMax® UV-cured powder coating from DVUV, LLC brings design freedom, durability and speed – all in an eco-friendly finish.

UVMax® uses 100% recycled content, SFI-certified (Sustainable Forestry Initiative-certified) MDF and complies with CARB’s formaldehyde emissions regulations. Environmentally safe powder coatings use absolutely no solvents, emit zero VOCs and eliminate the PVC issues associated with vinyl coatings. Fast UV-cured finishing process requires just 20 minutes from raw MDF to ready-to-ship parts, delivering 40-60% energy savings compared to other finishing processes. n

NEW DESIGNS TO HANG YOUR HAT ON.

Introducing Factory, a new design from Chemetal that lets you explore authentic and industrial looks. #349 Factory is one of

�

Lamitech

�

7 new designs available now. Call or visit for more info. 800 807-7341 chemetal.com

www.lamitech.com.co Lamitech, the largest manufacturer of decorative HPL in Latin America, in line with current interior design trends, introduces the Poro finish, a surface treatment that highlights all the texture found in true wood. Also new is the Saw-Cut collection of woodgrains that emphasize the sensuality of the material, including three patterns: Serra Dorato 1835, Segato Latte 1469 and Segato Miele 1468. n Lamitech "saw-cut"

#600 Weathered Aluminum

#601 Deep Bronze Alum.

#603 Silver Groove

#604 Grey Groove

#350 Factory Dark

#351 Special Dark

The many moods of metal.

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2011 SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

CURAVA ❯

www.curava.us Curava surfaces feature two recycled materials in addition to beautiful and plentiful seashells: 100 percent recycled glass and clay pottery fragments. These materials are combined with a cement base to create a unique design that comes in an array of vivid colors and patterns. Curava is sold as 56" x 114" x 1 1/4" slabs. ■

CURAVA "AMBRATO"

❮ OLON

www.olon.com

Olon Industries Inc., a laminated paper and profile wrapped moulding manufacturer, has recently introduced NEXGEN™ laminates, available in over 150 colors and finishes.

NEXGEN™ laminates are an exact match to North American TFM and HPL. An economical and durable alternative to wood, NEXGEN™ laminates have superior physical properties.

Olon’s new Natural Finish NEXGEN™ laminates offer the appearance of woodgrain ticking that is nearly impossible to differentiate from real wood. With perpendicular grain direction stile and rail construction, a 5-piece Natural Finish NEXGEN™ door will perfectly resemble a solid wood door. ■

OLON "BELLUNO NATURAL"

OMNOVA

www.omnova.com surf(x) ® 3D Laminates stock line has been enhanced with new designs influenced by comfort and style…with an edge. Shimmering metallics are partnered with cool and spicy woodgrains and neutral finishes reflecting today’s latest trends. duraMAX™ Flat Laminates by OMNOVA Solutions are a high performance and cost effective alternative to TFM featuring superior impact, abrasion and stain resistance. They offer similar aesthetics as TFMs but do not require 2-sided lamination. ■

w w w.materialicious. com

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SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

2011

UNIBOARD

www.uniboard.com Uniboard introduces White White 777 and the Global Collection. Because of its purity, White White 777 injects warmth, depth and vibrancy into any and all Uniboard® colours it is combined with. The formulation of this titanium enriched pigmentation creates a remarkable, opaque white paper that allows for an Integra™ DST exact matching.

The Global Collection contains 22 colours that reflect the trends in the marketplace including linear designs, subtle exotics, European trends and the greying and lightening of woodgrains ■

UNIBOARD "GLOBAL IMPERIAL MAPLE"

All surfaces in harmony YOUR DESIGN WILL STRIKE A CHORD WITH KML’S SEAMLESS COLOR MATCHING SYSTEM The Navigator Series adds 6 new colors to KML’s acclaimed thermo-fused melamine panels that synchronize with high pressure laminate, thermo-foils, edgebanding and other surface components to create a cohesive design … no matter the size or complexity.

With a rich selection of colors, patterns and textures, KML helps you reach design harmony across all components.

No unwanted surprises, no need to work with multiple vendors.

Call our expert service staff for information on the new Navigator Series and KML’s other 800 designs.

Call KML today — we’ll help you play in tune.

888-358-5075 www.kmlcorp.com

NAVIGATOR SERIES

KML proudly participates in Surface Synergies

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2011 SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

WILSONART HPL ❯ www.wilsonarthd.com

Dramatic new Wilsonart® HD ® Concrete and Slate designs will appeal to the styleconscious consumer looking to make a statement with their kitchen. These laminate patterns offer distinctive choices for new countertop material for casual townhouses, condos or loft living.

The contemporary laminate surfaces mimic heavier organic products and give a trendy look without a trendy price. Five new patterns offer a continuous thread of color that easily extends from the kitchen to the rest of the home. ■

WILSONART HPL "AFRICAN SLATE"

REHAU ❯

ALUSION™

❯

www.na.rehau.com/furniture

www.alusion.com Alusions offers various versions of stabilized aluminum foam that can be used for external and internal panels as well as a myriad of other applications. Panels are available in three standard thicknesses – 12.7mm (½"), 25.4mm (1") and 43.2mm (1.7") and two densities – small cell (X%) and large cell (Y%). The higher the density, the smaller the cell size and the heavier and more robust the material is.

Rehau offers virtually unlimited possibilities in edging solutions. The comprehensive line of Rehau edgebanding includes a wide selection within its off-the-shelf Express Collection stocking program, as well as smaller, just-in-time quantities. Additionally, Rehau offers several lines of appealing and unusual edgeband designs, such as Impressions™ textured and embossed edgeband, and Inspirations™ edgeband featuring customized printing capabilities. Rehau has a broad range of sustainable edgebanding solutions through its non-PVC Ecostyle™ line. The Raukantex magic 3D product line offers edgebands with a depth effect. Rehau has also developed a new pure polymer edgeband generation for laser technology. ■

BTD WOOD POWDER COATING www.btdwoodpowdercoating.com

Discover design freedom with the flexibility to create unique yet durable products. BTD Wood Powder Coating’s t.fusion powder finish can be specified in a range of textures and the color of your choice.

Incorporate functional cutouts, 3D contours or logos using our precise CNC technology. ■

Alusion™ wall cladding makes a statement as a dramatic new cladding for a feature wall or for cladding the entire exterior of a building. Its metallic luster combined with a variety of finishes, each of which offers a distinctive surface that cannot be exactly reproduced, can add a signature touch to any work of architecture. ■ 34

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Arusha Wenge Arusha Wenge

look

touch

feel

PU T TO T H E T EST A M I L L I O N T I M ES OV ER Furniture faced in decors with a Smart- or Postfoil finish is ensured pride of place in showrooms – and thus market success. Both now and in the future you can bank on the experience of the global market leader.

www.schattdecor.com

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2011 SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

SYNERGY THERMAL FOILS ❯ www.synergythermofoils.com

Synergy Thermal Foils’ mission is to provide the best 3D laminate products – at the best possible price – with the closest possible match between differing products. STF is constantly coordinating comprehensive matching programs between 3DL, HPL and TFM. Synergy announces the release of three exotic woodgrains: En Vogue Olive, Ebony Exotica and Cosmo Plum. These designs have enjoyed success around the globe and are now ready to enter the North American high-end market with matching melamine panels and high-pressure laminates. ■

❮ NORTHERN CONTOURS www.northerncontours.com

Northern Contours is a leading manufacturer of components for the kitchen and bath cabinet industry specializing in contemporary European designs using a variety of cutting edge materials. Northern Contour’s high gloss acrylic and textured thermofoil products showcase clean lines and linear patterns. Look for exotic veneer slab doors in Bamboo, Zebrawood, Wenge, English Sycamore, Red Gum and more. All components can be specified for both volume buyers and custom manufacturers. ■

SÜDDEKOR

www.suddekorllc.com

SUÜDDEKOR PATTERNS ABOVE: "MAPLE TRIPOLI" AND "INCANTO COMBO." HERE: "CUPRO," "BAMBOO" AND "OAK LAFITE."

36

FORMICA SOLID SURFACING

❯

From ancient homesteads in Thailand to Civil War-era homes, Süddekor LLC’s laminate flooring and furniture lines are inspired by real places, with rich histories and stories to tell.

The theme ‘Adventures in Authenticity’ ties a diverse range of styles together that complement any décor, be it rustic, traditional, or contemporary. These new interpretations of wood grains and finishes not only reflect the beauty of the earth and its historic architecture, but also preserve it, by using authentic wood sources as the inspiration for sustainable, durable laminates. ■

www.formica.com

e Series Solid Surfacing by Formica Group is the first major branded solid surfacing material to contain post-consumer recycled content. Introduced in 2011, each sheet of e Series Solid Surfacing has been certified to contain 15 percent total recycled content – 10 percent preconsumer and 5 percent post-consumer. Pre-consumer recycled content consists of reclaimed solid surfacing while post-consumer recycled content is derived from reduced foam, both Styrofoam cups and packagings. ■

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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Setting the standard

G60 Navarra Pine Grey with 514 Cherry Gloss

Rich in versatility and design, the Global Collection,

by Uniboard®, is a dynamic and luxurious colour palette that captures the leading architectural, commercial and residential trends.

The Global Collection enhances Uniboard’s comprehensive melamine collection and is available on all Uniboard particleboard and MDF panels, including the full range of NU Green® products.

Think all TFM is the same?

The Global Collection, made exclusively

by Uniboard in North America.

Think again!

Global Collection from a global leader.

A Pfleiderer AG company

1-800-263-5240 www.uniboard.com G50 Legno Tabac

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2011 SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

AVONITE SURFACES ®

❯

DOELLKEN-WOODTAPE

www.avonitesurfaces.com

www.doellken-woodtape.com

The Avonite Surfaces’ industry changing Wet Wall Panel System is a commercial component system that includes a wide variety of panel sizes, shower pans, and accessories.

Avonite uses their unique continuous cast acrylic process in Florence, KY to produce solid surface wet wall ¼" thick panels up to 60" wide and 96" high. The panels run corner to corner without seams or batten strips.

Choose from eight of the most popular and timeless colors. Other Foundations colors can be special ordered such as our latest recycled products. ■

Doellken-Woodtape offers edge designs in line with the latest design and manufacturing trends. With Doellken-Woodtape’s proprietary digital printing technology, endless design opportunities are available in small batches with a short delivery time. Because glossy surfaces are becoming more popular in North America, Doellken-Woodtape offers a variety of high-gloss ABS and acrylic Edgebanding options to match HPL and TFM. And now gluelines between the Edgebanding and the board are a thing of the past. In cooperation with Homag, Germany, Doellken developed FusionEdge ® a glueline-free solution that does not require hot melt adhesives. The Edgebanding is fused to the board by a laser beam. ■

❮ SSI

StyleLite® is a high-gloss acrylic finished 3D laminate film providing a perfectly flat mirrorlike gloss surface. StyleLite ® is available in nine colors and can be bought in as little as 1 sheet at a time from SSI North America.

Fabricators can also purchase laminated StyleLite sheets 5 sheets at a time.

Klöckner Pentaplast proudly introduces the Crosswood Series to the Pentadecor® 3D laminate film line. Available in three colorations, this modern oak wood grain has rough sawn markings and is topped with a deep textured embossing. ■

"PEPPERED CROSSWOOD"

38

"SADDLE CROSSWOOD"

"UMBER CROSSWOOD"

SENSOPLAST

❯

www.ssinorthamerica.com

www.senoplast.com The trend towards high gloss surfaces for furniture and interiors is increasing. Senoplast, an Austrian based company, has over 15 years experience in the production and distribution of acrylic high gloss films. These films, known by the brand name senosan® AM1700X offer excellent surface quality and depth. They are chlorine-free, thermally disposable and available in 18 stock colors (14 Uni colors and 4 metallics) with color matched edgebands. Special orders can also be produced. Contrary to PVC films and other high gloss surfaces, with senosan® light scratches can be removed with traditional polishings. ■

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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2011SnP_

OMNOVA Solutions’ harmony™ program facilitates design and color matching across multiple OMNOVA product constructions - Paper, Flat, and 3D Laminates including surf(x)® 3D Laminates. The program provides the fabricator of furniture, cabinetry and store fixtures the best application of laminate based on cost and functional requirements.

Benefits of the harmony program include: • Uniform design for furniture and fixtures with coordinating laminates

866.332.5226 laminates@omnova.com www.omnova.com/laminates

• Control of end product cost by using a range of color-matched constructions based on performance requirements • Reduced development time and improves speed to market for new products OMNOVA has partnered with other industry leaders including manufacturers of High Pressure Laminates (HPL) and Thermally Fused Melamines (TFM) to extend the color matching beyond just OMNOVA constructions.

To learn how OMNOVA Laminates can make a difference in your project, contact us today! Or visit our online Design Center to see our broad offering, obtain additional information and order samples – www.omnova.com/designcenter.

HARMONY is a trademark and SURF(X) is a registered trademark of OMNOVA Solutions Inc. © 2011 OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

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2011 SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

FLAKEBOARD "DRIFTWOOD" AND "PEPPERED CROSSWOOD"

ARBORITE

www.arborite.com

FLAKEBOARD

www.flakeboard.com In today’s markets, Unicolors have defined contemporary design. Contour White takes this trend to another level by adding a unique characteristic movement to a flat surface.

The movement and shadows’ play give this design a special elegance and depth, giving spaces a more comfortable and natural feel.

It works in modern cabinet door applications, retail fixtures, contemporary furniture, and in combination with other Unicolors. ■ FLAKEBOARD "SANDALWOOD" AND "UMBER CROSSWOOD"

Arborite, Canada's leading manufacturer of highpressure decorative laminate makes luxe look easy and affordable. Arborite's Ruched Series pattern is sophisticated and pairs well with exotic woods, architectural metals and sophisticated fabrics. Available in both warm and cool colors, Ruched is refined, polite and upscale with just the right hint of lively. ■

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS ❯ www.sherwin-williams.com

Sherwin-Williams is committed to meeting the evolving needs of professional customers with an expanded portfolio of coatings that meet the most stringent environmental regulations.

Additionally, the Sherwin-Williams colormix™ 2012 forecast proves a color palette doesn’t need to stray far from its roots to make a big design impact. To make color selection easier, SherwinWilliams introduces the awardwinning application ColorSnap ®.

With the touch of a button, trade professionals, designers and color enthusiasts alike can access hues for their residential or commercial spaces. Visit swcolorsnap.com for free downloads. ■

❮ WILSONART SOLID SURFACING

www.wilsonart.com/solidsurface Combining light neutral colors with softness and tranquility thrown in, the new Global Spa series combines trendy designs with the traditional durability and versatility of Wilsonart Solid Surface. These designs work well with exotic or traditional woodgrains and new-age metals.

WILSONART SOLID SURFACING "HERBAL MINT"

40

Wilsonart® Solid Surface offers incredible opportunities and true freedom of design.

Available in dozens of colors and designs that won't fade or wear away, Wilsonart 1/2inch 100% acrylic solid surfaces are ideal for a wide range of environments from healthcare facilities and hospitality locations to educational institutions and beyond. ■

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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11-10_TA

Beyond borders Our most exotic collection ever.

L500 Borneo is one of 10 captivating designs in Tafisa’s Beyond Borders collection of decorative panels. This design is characterized by nuances of rich reddish browns contrasted by distinguished dark grains in the wood, reminiscent of the warmth of exotic, sun-kissed islands. It will add warmth and elegance to both vertical and horizontal applications within the home and in all commercial environments. Visit tafisa.ca to order a sample for your collection.

L500 Borneo

tafisa.ca

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KML PANEL SOLUTIONS ❯

INTERPRINT

www.kmlcorp.com

www.interprint.us

KML’s Vector Contour Edgebander (one of four in North America), simultaneous machining capabilities plus 800+ color, design and textured panel selections, makes KML a single source for panel solutions. Simultaneous Processing means the tape feed, gluing, tape application, trimming and surface scraping are all performed in one cycle pass. Classic, smooth, satin, wood, diamond, crystal and linen surface textures, provide almost limitless design combinations when paired with MDF, chip-resistant particleboard or plywood substrates. And, for customers seeking green solutions, KML offers FSC substrates and NAUF panels. ■

Interprint's Pacific Elm continues the trend toward warmth in current décors. Elm is a classic American species, and is considerably more than merely an "Oak Alternative." Elm colors well in virtually any shade, and there is an elegant visual strength to the design.

Any version, light to dark, will fit well in both residential and commercial environments. ■

❯

SURFACE DE SIGN GUIDE

2011

SynDeco

INTERPRINT "PACIFIC ELM"

FORMICA "PETRIFIED WOOD"

FORMICA HPL www.formica.com

Formica Corporation is expanding its 180fx™ series, the most successful residential laminate launch in the company’s 100-year history, to the commercial market by introducing seven new luxurious designs that feature the striking color variations of natural stone slab and petrified wood in a believable fivefoot span. To create the realism of the new 180fx designs, the Formica Design Team uses advanced printing technology combined with premium finishes. ■

TAFISA ❯

www.tafisa.ca Tafisa introduces Urbania Texture, a natural linear woodgrain for a truly urban look (shown on right). It mimics the natural linear grain ticking of quarter cut wood. Another recent introduction is Smoothwood, a highend satin furniture finish that looks and feels s& p like real wood.

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SynDECOR®-based overlays: The next great thing in decorative laminates!

SynDECOR®, a biaxially-oriented polypropylene (OPP) based film, provides cabinet and RTA furniture producers an exciting, cost-effective alternative to today's laminate substrates. This thin, strong barrier film is UV-stabilized and modified to chemically bond to glues for lamination.

SynDECOR is surface printed and e-beam or UV-coated

by AET Films converter customers.

No more water or moisture issues Because SynDECOR is an OPP-based film, it has all of the water resistance your applications will ever need. Meeting 24-hour test requirements is no issue, whether the laminates are based upon our 23, 32, 41 or 56 gsm products.

Its “Living Hinge” is ideal for miter-fold construction Unlike most materials, polypropylene actually strengthens when it is flexed. This inherent, high resistance to flexural fatigue, combined with SynDECOR’s high resistance to tear-initiation, allows and inspires product designs that include foldable backs, v-grooved cabinet carcasses, lightweight panels and shelving. Furniture and cabinet producers can now improve product design and appearance while reducing the overall costs.

IF water-resistance, living-hinge and versatility are not

enough to convince you, then also consider these additional SynDECOR benefits: • consistent chemical bonds with today’s commonly used glues • superior print fidelity • converter-applied coatings that deliver exceptional mar, scratch and abrasion resistance • formaldehyde and melamine-free • polyolefin-based construction, widely considered the most sustainable of all plastics

Wrapped profiles and five-piece doors MDF and SynDECOR-based overlays are made for one another. The thin, yet strong SynDECOR-based laminate will highlight the intricate detail of routed products.

Five-piece doors can now be produced with one substrate and one print surface, delivering consistent design with improved durability. The functional surface of SynDECOR chemically bonds to the PUR or water-based glues.

The Hidden Advantage™

www.SynDECOR.com For more information on SynDECOR, call 1.800.688.2044.

AET is a proud member of the CPA and we truly believe that SynDECOR - based laminates are an “Innovative Product for a Sustainable Future.”

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SI11-4w

To LED or not to LED? B Y

S U Z A N N E

T

here are many reasons that LED solid-state lamps are becoming more popular for illumination. The obvious reasons for consumers include things like energy efficiency, and extremely long life. But for the design world LED has even more compelling implications. LEDs are cool to the touch and can be very small, allowing for integration into tiny spaces where incandescent and fluorescent lamps can’t go. LEDs also do not emit ultraviolet or infrared radiation and therefore do not fade fabric, accelerate the deterioration of papers or attract insects. As LED technology advances, it is the potential to precisely control color temperature and color rendering to invoke emotion in design that is exciting in terms of the way that light interacts with surfaces. Early specification of LED illumination was limited by the logistics of the power source, the availability of only bright, cool colors and cost. This basic overview of LED technology will explore why these reasons may no longer be relevant to specifiers, and why there has never been a better opportunity for LED lighting integration into furniture, cabinetry and millwork.

Rather than burning a filament, like an incandescent lamp, or exciting a gas, like a fluorescent lamp, LED lamps uses semi-conductors to create electroluminescence, a phenomenon first discovered by the British scientist H.J. Round in 1907. By the 1960s the first practical applications of visible-spectrum LED were developed and implemented into calculators. Soon LEDs were used for indicator lights as well as in a wide variety of appliances including: watches, telephone, radios and televisions. Since the 1960s LED technology has developed, in conjunction with semiconductor and nano-technologies, at an astounding rate; doubling in efficiency and light output every 36 months or so. It is no wonder that LED is furiously gaining ground in illumination applications.

V A N

G I L D E R

HOW LED WORKS

Disclaimer: The following description is rather techie. If eye glazing-over occurs, skip to the next paragraph.

The diode in light emitting diode is a simple semiconductor device.

Conventional LEDs are made from a variety of inorganic semiconductor materials. In its pure form, all the atoms of the semiconductor bond with their neighbors leaving no free electrons to conduct electrical current. The balance can be changed by either adding free electrons (N-type material, cathode) or by creating holes where electrons can go (P-type material, anode). This process of adding impurities, called “doping,” makes the material more conductive. Diodes are made with a section of N-type material bonded to a section of P-type material, creating a p-n junction. The inherent polarity of the diode is the reason that only direct current sources can be used for LED lamps. When an LED is switched on electrons are excited, moving from the P-type material across the p-n junction to the N-type material within the LED device. When an electron meets a hole it falls into a lower energy level releasing energy in the form of photons, a phenomenon known as electroluminescence. The energy gap of the specific semiconductor materials determines the color of the light.

LED HAS COMPELLING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN WORLD. THEY ARE COOL TO THE TOUCH AND CAN BE VERY SMALL, ALLOWING FOR INTEGRATION INTO TINY SPACES WHERE INCANDESCENT AND FLUORESCENT LAMPS CAN’T GO. IMAGE COURTESY OF QCCI / PHOTOGRAPHER: WILLIAM SIMONE

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www.surfaceandpanel.com

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c h a n g i n g

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t h e

w o r l d

o f

s u r f a c e s

Artika and Rain premium-finish architecturally textured panels from StevensWood feel and look like real wood, yet provide the durability and performance of laminate. With a deep-textured grain, they offer the warmth and comfort of natural wood, but at a fraction of the price.

Available in a series of 12 designer colors and a wide variety of core materials.

StevensWood offers limitless applications for cabinetry, office, retail, hospitality, healthcare and other commercial applications. If you want the look of real wood along with European style and performance, consider StevensWood decorative panels.

217-540-3179

704 W. Main, Teutopolis, IL 62467 w w w. s t e v e n s m e l a m i n e . c o m

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POWER SOURCE: THE DRIVER

From the above description there are two important things for specifiers to know. 1. LED lamps require a direct current (DC) power source. 2. LEDs are near-monochromatic light sources. They emit various colors (except white) depending on the materials from which they are made. Virtually any color and temperature can be achieved with LED, with three-channel red, blue green chips being the common output. For simplicity’s sake, red, blue and green are often used together to achieve other colors. Ultra-violet LED is used in combination with colored device chips to create white light.

S T I M U L AT I N G E M O T I O N A L R E A C T I O N S Each color stimulates us in a different way. Depending on their intensity and their color temperature, colors can induce specific feelings.

● Red symbolizes activity and passion; it can also stimulate appetite. ● Pink is the color of feminity and has a physically soothing effect. ● Orange is a strong stimulus – it is very sensual, but also contributes to activity. ● Peach – a mixture between orange and pink – contains the positive psychological effects of both colors (activating and soothing) without being as female as pink. ● Green is the most reassuring color and can create a feeling of stability – however only when used in soft tones. ● Turquoise is the color of inspiration: containing both green and blue, it is a hue that most people respond positively to. ● Blue has a mentally calming effect and serves perfectly to sooth anxiety – especially when warmer tones of blue are used. ● Purple can provoke a feeling of spirituality, but may be perceived very differently – positively or negatively – by different people.

INFORMATION COURTESY OF SIEMENS • W W W.MEDICAL . SIEMENS.COM

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Electricity in practical applications can be thought of in terms of direction (current) and electrical potential (voltage). Most buildings are equipped with alternating current (AC) at different voltage capacities depending on usage and geography. LEDs require low voltage DC power.

This requirement of low voltage contributes to LEDs energy efficiency, but it also poses a practical challenge. To utilize LED lamps in conventional spaces AC line voltage must be converted via a driver to a well-regulated lower voltage DC. The quality and consistency of the LED illumination depends both on the semi-conductor and the power source.

For general screw-in “bulbs” or lamps that are designed to fit standard fixtures, the driver is usually incorporated into the top hat. But in the design world, one of the really appealing characteristics of LED is the potential for integrating small lights into furniture, cabinetry and retail fixtures. This requires an outside driver, and historically a separate switch box. In most situations an electrician was needed to set up a system of LED lamps incorporated into furniture or fixtures. But like all other aspects of LED technology, drivers are becoming more refined. “Many people come out with what the customer sees, which is the light,“ says Philip Martin, who works in International Project Marketing for Hafele, “but not how it is installed by the factory or woodworker, or even designer. Hafele has developed a technology with everything needed for LED furniture and cabinet lighting into a universal plug and play system.” Hafele’s drivers, called Loox, come in two operating systems.

The constant voltage system is used with LED parallel circuits, providing a regulated voltage regardless of the current drawn by the load. “A common problem is using the wrong voltage driver,” says Martin. “When that happens the LEDs either won’t light up or could operate at a higher current then they are made for, reducing the lifespan of the lamps.” This system is normally used to drive low-to-normal power LED (12V and 24V) lamps.

The constant current driver provides a regulated current supply that allows the output voltage to adjust. It is typically used to drive high power lamps, and integrated resistors are unnecessary. “A constant DC current is necessary for optimal light output from the LED lamp without overstressing it,” says Martin. Hafele has also developed a series of switches that can be used with the system that allow for dimming, or to turn the system on with motion sensing or opening a door/drawer.

There are many specialized drivers available on the market, and while Hafele’s Loox system is designed to make it simple to integrate LED into furniture and cabinetry, not all drivers can be safely used by laypersons. It is always wise to check the voltage rating on the LED load being used against the rated voltage output on the driver.

PSYCHOLOGY OF LIGHT

Resistance to LED lamps is also because of the perceived quality of the illumination. Many people think LED and think bright, blinding blue light. Considering that light has a major impact on human well-being, from the healing process to the circadian rhythm that regulates biological and physiological functions, it is no wonder that quality of light is a big concern. “Blue light, for example can be soothing. But if the color temperature is high it is stimulating and causes wakefulness,” says Mark Smith, Senior Design Manager for Schattdecor. “Likewise it can be used therapeutically for people who are tired.”

While bright and cool may have been the initial offering to the consumer market, advances in LED technology have made it possible to acquire LED lamps in virtually any temperature and color. More about how this related to surface design in the next section. But first, it is helpful to know how the qualities of light are measured.

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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PEACE restored by Salice

MAKE A LOT OF NOISE

Introducing Futura from Salice, the concealed runner suitable for all drawer applications, available in partial and full extension openings.

BY KEEPING QUIET.

Futura is available in 3 versions: • Smove decelerated closing • Integrated Push opening for cabinets without pulls • Traditional Self-closing As a leading innovator in concealed hinge technology, Salice brings the same superior quality and respected customer support to the Futura line. Easily installed and dependable, customers receive advanced technology, innovative design and solid construction.

Specifications: • Exceeds ANSI TESTING 156.9 load capacity • Safety feature to prevent drawers from turning over during transport • Drawer height adjustment (+3 mm) • Finish – bright zinc plated • Lifetime warranty

For detailed specs, availability and pricing, contact us by phone or visit www.saliceamerica.com.

Salice is the proud recipient of the Business Marketing Association “2009 Best of North Carolina” award for excellence in B2B strategy and creativity.

2123 Crown Centre Drive | Charlotte NC. 28227 | 800.222.9652 | 704.841.7810 | www.saliceamerica.com

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QUALITIES OF LIGHT

Basic color temperature is conventionally measured in the unit of absolute temperature by the Kelvin (K), scale, which is typically depicted as a vertical scale from 1K -7500K, Higher K values are cooler, and lower K values are warmer. But according to Lucifer Lighting Company, to precisely describe the color temperature of any light source it is important to consider both the spectrum and intensity of the light, a two-dimensional measurement described as the correlated color temperature (CCT). Here’s how it works.

The spectrum of visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Electromagnetic radiation in this range of wavelengths is what we call light. But with each wavelength there is also intensity, or the amount of light emitted at a particular wavelength.

When the intensity of light from an object is plotted at each wavelength The CIE 1931 x,y chromaticity of visible light the shape is a smooth space, also showing the curve called the black body curve. The chromaticities of black-body light sources of various temperatures black body curve is a conceptualized (Planckian locus), and lines physical body that absorbs all incident of constant correlated color temperature. electromagnetic radiation. True color temperature is not a clearly defined point, but rather a slope that represents the intersection of the color temperature slope and the black body slope. Different lamp manufacturers have developed LEDs for a variety of applications ranging from 2000K (very warm, standard incandescent light is around 2700K) up to 10,000 K for industrial applications (so bright it exceeds the spectrum of visible light). The higher the CCT, the greater the efficacy of the lamp.

Halogen 3000K

NOT ALL LEDS ARE CREATED EQUAL

Another means for describing lighting is the Color Rendering Index (CRI), which measures the ability of a light source to reproduce color faithfully in comparison with an ideal light source. The scale is from 1- 100, with daylight rendering 93 and typical values for artificial light falling between 60 and 80. When it comes to LED technology, the CRI of the lamp depends on the quality of the lamp. Lower quality LEDs have lower CRI and higher variability, where better quality LEDs have 48

FAIR 50 -60 CRI Standard Warm White Fluorescent Standard Cool Whitle Fluorescent 60 - 70 CRI Premium High Pressure Sodium Conventional Metal Halide BETTER 70 - 80 CRI Thin Coat Tri-Phospher Fluorescent BEST 80 - 90 CRI White High Pressure Sodium Warm Metal Halide Thick Coat Tri-Phospher Fluourescent 90 - 100 CRI High CRI Fluorescents Incandescent and Tungste-Halogen

higher, more consistent CRI. This is important to designers considering incorporating LED lamps into furniture, fixture and cabinets as the lamp itself can have a significant effect on the surface design.

“The issue of light pertaining to décor paper is metamerism,” says Peter Stasiowski, Director of Communications for Interprint USA. “We very carefully engineer our product to have consistent visual impact regardless of the lighting of the application or the texture imparted in the finished product.” But despite the vigilance of the décor paper printers, lamps that have a broad range of CRI or that fade quickly with fluctuating CCT can undermine the desired effect of a design.

High-quality LED lamps can be tiny in size and consistently specified for precise color and temperature, providing designers with the opportunity to play with integrated lighting in unprecedented ways. Advances in driver technology make application easy. And while up front cost for LED lamps is still an issue, the fact that a typical diode operates for 50,000 hours and uses 90 percent less energy than incandescent lamps and 40 percent less than compact fluorescent lamps (incandescents last 1,200 hours, CFLs 8,000 hours) the lifetime cost of maintenance savings, in terms of energy use and bulb replacement, make a compelling case for LED. s&p

www.surfaceandpanel.com

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Go ECC Green!

What is ECC? ECC stands for Eco-Certified CompositeTM, as defined in a groundbreaking new Sustainability Standard and Certification Program for composite panel products – specifically particleboard, MDF, hardboard and engineered wood siding and trim, and products made with them.

What makes a composite panel Eco-Certified?

The requirements for ECC Certification are tough and specific, and require annual audits. Composite panel products must first comply with the stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) formaldehyde emissions regulation. In addition, the panel manufacturing facility must meet at least 3 of the following requirements: • Carbon Footprint – Panels perform as a carbon sink resulting in overall net carbon storage.

• Local and Renewable Resource – At least 85% of wood fiber sourced within 250 miles.

• Recycled/Recovered – At least 75% recycled or recovered wood fiber; or at least 50% recycled/ recovered wood fiber plus a minimum of 5% post-consumer fiber.

• Sustainability – At least 97% wood fiber furnish is converted to panels or re-utilized as a valued product.

• Wood Sourcing – Conformity with FSC Controlled Wood Standard (2008), FSC Chain of Custody Standard (2008), or SFI Fiber Sourcing Requirements (2011).

Who can be ECC certified?

Audited certification is available to composite panel manufacturing facilities, decorative surfacing facilities, and fabricators in North America. Certification is granted on a facility-by-facility basis.

What about LEED? ECC certified products may help achieve LEED credit for Recycled Content MR Credit 4, Regional Materials MR Credit 5, Certified Wood MR Credit 7, and/or Low Emitting Material EQ Credit 4.4. ECC value added products may also help earn credit for Low Emitting Materials EQ Credit 4.5 (LEED–CI) and others.

Who sponsors ECC? The Composite Panel Association (CPA) developed the ECC Standard, including its unique Carbon Calculator.

CPA will administer the ECC Certification Program as a third party certification agency accredited to ISO/IEC Guide 65 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

The Composite Panel Association is committed to advancing and certifying the sustainability of industry products for residential, commercial and industrial uses. The ECC Sustainability Standard, Certification Program and logo are protected by applicable copyright and trademark law, and the use of any of these in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the written authorization of CPA. For more information contact CPA at ECCproduct@cpamail.org or visit

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www.ECCproduc t.org

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Built to Last A

b y

S u z a n n e

V a n G i l d e r

h, the five and under crowd. They’re small. They’re

cute. They say the darndest things. And they have yet to develop empathy, which explains why they are so hard on their surroundings. John Steffy, President of Steffy Wood Products specializes in early childhood furniture, a sector where durability and safety are the main design objectives. Products are sold through distribution to pre-schools, private schools, doctors’ offices, churches and daycares.

Steffy recently made the strategic decision to upgrade his finishing process from hand-sprayed water reducible lacquer to a Cefla Finishing Group reciprocating spray line that applies the new SherWood® Ultra-Cure ® UV waterborne coating, an investment that saves time, improves consistency and is in-line with Steffy Wood Products’ Green Guard® Children and Schools Indoor Air Quality certification.

Once the decision was made both Cefla and Sherwin-Williams collaborated closely with Steffy. “The key to going UV is understanding the type of process you are going into. There is a learning curve in how to use the equipment, but also how to monitor the equipment,” says Chuck Susnis, the wood and composite building products focus market manager for Sherwin-Williams Co., Chemical Coatings. “We give the customer a checklist on how to run the line. We’re not just selling a coating, it is a system that has to be properly monitored to get consistent quality day in and day out.”

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www.surfaceandpanel.com

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Set for Success

“Obviously with furniture going into any kind of environment where there are small children you want to make sure there are no splinters, so everything is bull-nosed and sanded around the edges.”

John Steff y, President of Steff y Wood Products

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when adding finishing equipment to an established line, from current and projected throughout to how much space the equipment is going to need from a shop standpoint. In the case of Steffy Wood Products, the line was installed in the existing 50,000 square foot facility located in Angola, IN. Steffy has been in business since 1998, but worked for a similar company prior to opening his own shop. “This is very much a dealerbased industry, and we are fortunate to have good relationships, so our business is continually growing,” says Steffy. Installing the Cefla finishing line increased the consistency of the finish and speed of bringing goods to market. To ensure this all the formulation, including test runs at Cefla Lab on production machinery that was going to be installed, was done prior to installation of the line. “When a company makes a capital investment in equipment we make sure they are not operating on trial and error. Sherwin-Williams supplies a lot of UV water to customers throughout the country, so we know the parameters required to get the product to work properly. We can go into our lab and simulate what is needed as far as a cure schedule,” says Susnis. “The day when all the equipment gets installed, basically all the necessary things have already been thought out and worked through and the line is ready to go.”

Going Down the Line

All of Steffy’s products begin with Baltic birch plywood. “That panel has been used in this industry for a lot of years,” says Steffy. “It is strong, durable and holds up to the day to day use of the children.”

Depending on the product, the piece goes through one of four inhouse machining centers. “The edges are the most important,” says Steffy. “Obviously with furniture going into any kind of environment where there are small children you want to make sure there are no splinters, so everything is bull-nosed and sanded around the edges.

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“In the marketplace of early childhood furniture the designs don’t change much, but the performance of the finish gets better all the time.”

That is either done on the CNC machines or through shape and sand machines. And some work is still done by hand to make sure the edges are really smooth.” From sanding, the part passes through a panel cleaner to the new 125-foot-long Cefla reciprocating spray line.

“We went with the reciprocating spray line, as opposed to a flat panel line finishing system, so we could spray the edges as well as the face of the panel,” says Steffy.

Prior to entering the spray machine, the parts are sanded twice and scanned by a photocell that informs the four Kremlin spray guns of the precise parameters of each piece. “We can load the belt up with all sorts of parts and it will scan the different sized pieces and spray only where the parts are. We even have a piece with a circle cut out of the middle, and the machine does not spray inside the circle,” says Steffy. The precision of the guns significantly reduces over spray, and the waterborne UV coating can also be reclaimed.

“Transfer efficiency for hand spraying is maybe 35 percent,” explains Susni, “with the machine that goes up to about 80 percent.” The water-based UV coating technology has been around for about a decade, but it is becoming increasingly popular in part because of the efficiency of automation, and in part because the finish itself is very durable and safe for the work environment. “The carrier for the solid is water, and the finish solids contain no heavy metals or formaldehyde, so the emissions of VOC’s during application is extremely low,” says Susnis.

After the parts are sprayed they enter a 75-foot long series of drying ovens that circulate warm air, flashing off the water. The panel then goes under the UV light where the remaining solids, which contain photo-initiators, react by cross-linking to form a homogenous surface. “When the parts come out from under the light they are fully cured, there is no additional dry time. So we can immediately assemble and ship,” says Steffy. “That saves us a lot of time.”

In the marketplace of early childhood furniture the designs don’t change much, but the performance of the finish gets better all the time. “The technology of of a waterborne UV finish is perfect for this industry," says Steffy. "It makes a surface that is easy to clean, and little kids can really beat it up without penetrating the finish.” s&p

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the finishing experience

THE DIFFERENCE STARTS WITH A GREAT FINISH. THE CEFLA FINISH. MAKE IT YOURS.

• • • • •

Cefla Finishing has been in the US and Canada for over 25 years.

Our new Charlotte, NC facility houses sales, after-sales support, administration and manufacturing.

The state-of-the-art testing laboratory welcomes customers, fluid management and coating companies.

Extensive spare parts inventory ready for prompt shipment.

Factory trained technical engineers available to assist via phone or onsite support.

Cefla Finishing Group.

The preeminent source for surface treatment systems and solutions.

Cefla North America 6125 Harris Technology Blvd. - Charlotte, NC 28269 - USA Tel. +1 704 598 0020 - Fax: +1 704 598 3950 E-mail: info@ceflaamerica.com

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t is difficult for Michael Figiel, Vice President of National Millwork. Inc. to produce a portfolio of some of the company’s most innovative work. In fact, unless a person has a very high level of security clearance, he or she will never see that work. The company, located in Madison Heights, MI, does a lot of work for the Federal Government, and not just any old office space. National Millwork’s background in historic restoration coupled with its reputation for fabricating high-quality custom components with the latest engineered materials has earned it some extremely lowprofile jobs. Hush, hush, top-secret spaces. Several of the United States government’s most secure offices, including The National Terrorist Operations Center, the Command Center for the National Security Agency/ Central Security Service and President Obama’s Communications Center are finished with National Millworks’ work. At least that’s the word on the street. Few people have actually seen the installations.

Figiel, who is in charge of engineering shop management and project development, runs the company with his brother Dennis Figiel. They recently finished a custom installation for the Special Ops room at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

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To bid this type of specialty work National Millwork had to become a U.S. GSA (General Services Administration) schedule contractor.

According to the GSA, “GSA awards contracts to responsible companies offering commercial items, at fair and reasonable prices, that fall within the generic descriptions in the GSA Schedule Solicitations.” This type of work both places some restrictions on the vendor, and provides opportunity for creative freedom. “They give a concept of what they need and some of the requirements, then I have to design the product and pick the materials that will perform best in that area,” says Figiel.

“I am lucky to get that option, it is a great expression of creativity, but it is also a great expression of engineering.”

REQUIREMENTS

One of the projects that National Millwork completed for the Special Ops room included specialized consoles designed to accommodate anywhere from 15-60 people who come together in situations where they all have to interface (yes, that is vague, but it is national security). “These consoles that we built are about six feet wide,” says Figiel. “They include three or four flat screens mounted on a metal slatwall bracket in the back, and they have three or four towers set in for different functions. They are usually in some form of a line.”

Every project is unique. “We do so much specialty stuff, it is not like we build a basic cabinet. There are plenty of people who can do that,” says Figiel. “Take the consoles shown on TV when they were tracking Osama Bin Laden. Those are the types of things we build. They sometimes run at a 70 foot radius with curvature along the edges.” However, there are some requirements that stay the same for all GSA work.

For one thing, all of the materials and products used must be made in the USA. Everything also has to come with a lifetime warranty, which is considered to be 25-years, though pieces are often re-purposed after their initial use. ADA compliance is becoming the standard, so most flat surface products include Linak® acuators to make them height adjustable. And then there is security. “When we fabricate this stuff and send it off, we can’t take pictures, and we never see the work again.

Our installers are escorted around with federal marshals. It is really high security and the clearance is unbelievable,” says Figiel.

Dreaming of an office in 3-D?

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3-D laminates give them tops with soft edges and unique shapes, drawer fronts with seamless details, and unparalleled durability.

www.jbcutting.com • 586.468.4765 surface&panel

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BUY AMERICAN

To win a bid National Millwork looks at a project’s requirements, designs the piece in shape and material, gets quotes from any component manufacturers and then turns their bid over to the GSA. Figiel has developed a working relationship with JB Cutting, a thermoforming company located in Mount Clemens, MI, to do contoured and profiled pieces.

“I have a lot of fun looking at the machines to see what I could do with them,” says Figiel, referring to JB Cutting’s Wemhöner membrane press. “And their results are too nice to describe. Vacuum forming is terribly essential in producing a seamless product. Some people see what is presented, but with this kind of non-standard work you have to think outside of the box to see how to apply processes to what you need.” With 20 employees JB Cutting is not a huge operation, but it is a very versatile operation. “Our agility is the reason why we are growing,” says Nathan Klomp, sales and marketing manager for JB Cutting. “We have a good core competency at driving high-volume and being cost effective, but we are also able to turn around custom jobs quickly. We don’t have process rules or limits and we don’t say ‘no’ very often.”

For the Special Ops project the consoles were designed to have a curved profile terminating in a knife-edge. The exterior is generally inlaid HPL while the top cap and edges are 3DL. “All your extreme areas have to be protected, because usually when these rooms are in operation it is pretty frantic. You have to provide a product that can take that type of abuse,” says Figiel. To provide the durability required for the edges, Pentadecor® kpExtreme™ 3D laminate

The Crosswood Series Pentadecor® 3D Laminate films Rough Sawn Oak with deep surface texture A new Oak series perfect for Fixture and Display, Closets and Healthcare

Peppered

Umber

973.598.0152 www.ssinorthamerica.com 56

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was specified for the edges. “If you use plastic laminate, it chips and breaks. Other materials tend to scar or mark when things are passed over it,” says Figiel. “The kpExtreme is very cool, very durable. It picks up contours and softens edges perfectly.”

FAIR AND REASONABLE

For the project quote and the first round of production on the Special Ops project, JB Cutting used a standard, commercial grade black 3DL film. But procuring the material in line with the production schedule became a challenge. There were long lead times and minimum order requirements. Then SSI supplied JB Cutting with a relatively new specialty film called kpExtreme. “It is a little better on the surface,” says Klomp, “and it is readily available. Plus, despite the durability, it is thinner than the other commercial film, so it is easier for us to work with.”

JB Cutting sent a sample to National Millwork, where they proceeded to try to scratch, mar, beat up and otherwise destroy the component.

“They said it was great, super durable. And that they wanted to use the kpExtreme anytime there was specification for a solid 3DL.” The best part? Switching to kpExtreme actually saved National Millwork some money on the project. Any customer likes that. “When there is a specialty item, JB Cutting is one of the first companies I call. They are very good at understanding the concepts of custom pieces, and have the foresight to know how to make things happen,” says Figiel.

The kpExtreme is laminated to Plum Creek HDF. “It takes contours really nicely and you get a better edge on it,” says Figiel. “Plus it is less porous, so it stays straight longer and doesn’t react to the environment like a plywood or a solid wood.” Environment is especially important in some of the federal buildings that are heated with steam and do not have humidity control. “In the winter they cut the heat down to 58 degrees F on the weekend, then kick it up again, so there is significant expansion and contraction. The substrate has to be as dependable as the top surface,” says Figiel. “With the melamine back the HDF holds up very well. It also finishes well, which cuts down time for processing.

If you have to work the panel for two or three hours in preparation, it is not really cost effective.”

“You can’t work in this market if in the back of your mind you are worried about how the product is going to perform once it is installed,” says Figiel. Federal projects make up a large percentage of National Millwork’s work, and once a job is complete, there is no going back to fine tune. For high-security installations, quality has to be the primary design intent. s&p

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Light Basis High Fidelity, Weight Paper Cost-Effective Laminate: Design Solutions INTRODUCTION Light Basis Weight Paper (LBWP) laminate is a decorative surfacing material produced by bonding decorative paper to a substrate. Both the basis weight of the decorative paper and its treatment directly affect the opacity and performance of the end product, allowing for a wide range of applications. LBWPs are differentiated by the basis weight of the paper prior to any treatment. The extraordinarily smooth surface of the 23 to 50gsm 1 “micro-papers” or “pre-coated papers” used to make LBWP is also responsible for one of the material’s most notable characteristics: excellent print fidelity. The decorative papers used in the production of LBWP carry printed patterns with unprecedented realism and are also available in solid colors. Common designs include woodgrains, stone, textiles and abstracts, but the design possibilities are limited only by the imagination. Performance of LBWP can be specialized through resin impregnation, printing, and top-coating processes, making the material an appropriate specification for many applications including: cabinets, furniture, paneling and moldings.

1 Paper basis weight is usually expressed in grams per square meter, abbreviated as g/m2 or gsm.

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that allows designers to value-engineer endproducts based on the specific performance demands of each component, ensuring the highest quality in design, value and durability.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION The basic components of LBWP laminates are decorative paper, adhesive, substrate and optional topcoat.

DECORATIVE PAPER

Advances in printing, paper and topcoating technologies continually improve the consistency and realism of printed décor paper.

Since the mid-1960’s Rotogravure printing, the historic method of choice for fine art and photography reproduction due to its remarkable color density and light to dark gradient, has been the industry standard for industrial décor printing. The resulting decorative papers are processed into a variety of surfacing materials that enable designers to “value-engineer” by specifying a consistent aesthetic across a broad performance range.

And the design possibilities are endless.

LBWPs evolved in the 1970’s when it was observed that the surface of specially engineered 23gsm paper could carry a printed woodgrain design with remarkable fidelity.

These early LBWPs were commonly used for paneling applications.

Soon 30 gsm papers were developed, resulting in improved printing definition and opacity. The slightly thicker LBWP also has the added benefit of masking board substrate imperfections. With this variation in thickness, specification of LBWPs expanded into furniture surfacing. Soon pre-coated 45 and 50 gsm papers were developed for improved machinability and profile wrapping applications. Contemporary LBWPs are still used in applications that specify the look of real wood, but the versatility of the highfidelity printed décor paper makes it possible for LBWPs to carry any aesthetic. Other common designs include stone, textiles and abstract patterns.

LBWP plays an important role in design, functioning both as a stand-alone material and in combination with other products.

Engineered materials have visual consistency

SUBSTRATE

The most common substrates used in the production of LBWP laminates are woodbased composite panels, such as medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard.

An ideal substrate must be consistent, uniform in strength and free of defects. Wood composite materials are the substrate of choice for decorative surfaces because they can be engineered for specific performance

The most common substrates used in the production of LBWP laminates are wood-based composite panels, such as medium density fiberboard (MDF) and particleboard.

characteristics and physical properties including strength, flexibility, moisture resistance, fire resistance and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions. In addition to these qualities, composite panels are generally constructed in large part from recycled waste materials, making them especially environmentally sensitive. Thoughtful combination of decorative surfacing materials and composite panel substrates is also an effective means of obtaining points for environmental building certification programs such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Green Home Building Guidelines. ❯

P H OTO C O U RT E S Y O F TO P PA N I N T E R A M E R I C A I N C

BACKGROUND / HISTORY

Decorative papers used for LBWP are usually divided into two categories, standard papers that contain no, or very low levels, of resin and industrial papers that have higher resin content. As the amount of resin in the paper increases, so does the performance of the laminate. Papers that contain no resin are said to be unimpregnated. Resin can be added during the paper making process (pre-impregnated papers) or immediately after the paper-making process is completed (post-impregnated papers). Adding resin to the paper increases its internal bond strength, which improves the machinability of the finished LBWP panel. It also calenders (smoothes) the paper, creating an excellent surface for high fidelity printing.

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ADHESION OF LBWP DECORATIVE PAPERS TO SUBSTRATE LBWP decorative papers are supplied in roll form and are usually laminated onto the substrate using a roll laminating system.

Continuous roll lamination is the most widely used process to bond LBWP decorative papers to flat panel substrates. Another common method of laminating LBWP decorative papers is profile wrapping. Both 45 gsm and 50 gsm LBWP decorative papers are typically used in this process because of their ability to be machine-wrapped around detailed profiled substrates.

The selection of the appropriate adhesive and laminating system is crucial to producing laminates that are well-bonded to the substrate and have good surface quality. The

most popular adhesive systems used in North and South America are hot melt ethylene-vinyl acetates (EVAs) and polyvinyl-acetates (PVAs).

When hot melt is used the adhesive is normally pre-applied to the decorative paper, and the paper is shipped to the laminating facility ready for lamination, thus reducing capital outlay. A hot melt EVA adhesive system requires a heated pressure roll on the laminator that reactivates the adhesive and bonds the decorative paper to the substrate using pressure. EVA-based hot melt adhesives have the additional advantage of enhancing water resistance of the finished LBWP panel due to their thermoplastic nature. ❯

Case Study:IKEA

The Brand that Made The World Love RTA It takes commitment for an individual to build a piece of furniture, even if all the necessary parts, hardware and clearly drawn instructions are provided in a flat packed box. Yet nearly 700 million IKEA customers worldwide are willing to make that commitment yearly. LBWPs, which offer excellent visual performance and value, are widely used in IKEA’s panel-based furniture and home storage products.

All IKEA operations are guided by the official vision statement, “to create a better everyday life for the many people, by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishings at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford them.” But there is more to IKEA’s success than high-style at low prices. Since its inception in 1943, IKEA has been dedicated to innovation and sustainability. This is apparent in all matters of IKEA operations, from its revolutionary distribution system to its careful material specifications. By utilizing LBWPs, 60

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Case Study:SAUDER A PVA laminating system, sometimes known as a “wet line,” is typically found in high-output laminating operations. With this system a PVA adhesive is applied in line on the laminating press. The adhesive may be applied to the board, the paper or both. After flashing the moisture out of the adhesive, bonding is achieved with a heated pressure roll. Other adhesive systems, such as urea formaldehyde and epoxy can also be used to laminate LBWP decorative papers, but are less common in North and South America. ❯

Sauder Takes Light Basis Weight Papers to New Heights

IKEA offers products made from recycled composite wood boards, moldings or lightweight panels that are visually indiscernible from solid wood. Because LBWPs can be both flat laminated and profile wrapped, IKEA pieces have a consistent aesthetic on every surface.

“We are in a fairly unique position,” says Joseph Roth, director of public affairs for IKEA in North America. “As a manufacturer, IKEA has a guaranteed distribution network and market share. As a retailer, IKEA has control over the production end. By having control over the entire pipeline we can consider the big picture and really focus on the economies of scale.” This vertical integration allows IKEA to make stylish products of consistent quality widely available, which has changed the way that people all over think about RTA furniture. ■

Since 1934 Sauder Woodworking Company, headquartered in Archbold, Ohio, has developed increasingly innovative furniture products for the consumer market. By 1951, the company introduced a patented table that could be assembled in the home, marking the beginning of the ready-to-assemble furniture industry in North America. Since then Sauder has continually refined its use of materials, technology and design to create a consumer goods empire with sales of nearly $750 million a year. “Sauder has both domestic and imported RTA,” says John Beck, senior research scientist for Sauder Woodworking, “and the domestic RTA product is almost exclusively made with LBWPs. Sauder has succeeded with paper laminates because they offer the aesthetics and performance required for our retail customer at affordable prices.”

LBWPs have been so successful, in fact, that Sauder is moving beyond furniture into other markets. According to Beck, “LBWPs work best in applications where you need a very realistic wood look at a very low price, and where durability is not the primary design objective.” Sauder is now leveraging its expertise in the production of laminated products by diversifying into other markets, including caskets and ceiling systems. In both cases, LBWPs offers consumers the rich look of solid wood at a fraction of the cost. ■

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TOP-COATING

P H OTO C O U RT E S Y O F TO P PA N I N T E R A M E R I C A I N C

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LBWP decorative papers are manufactured in a variety of colors and patterns, and provide quality surface performance and realism. Specialized top-coating treatments can enhance these characteristics. The papers are available in a range of gloss and matte finishes, as well as with specialized coatings which enhance the visual impact of the paper’s printed design, be it woodgrain, stone, textile, abstract or solid. Topcoat options include polyurethane, urea, polyester, acrylic, melamine and combinations of these systems. Additional visual depth can be achieved through the use of mechanical and chemical embossing. All of these techniques highlight the design and enhance the high-fidelity decorative surface, resulting in the visual realism that consumers expect.

LBWPs can be specified by designers and engineers in both commercial and residential applications. The material provides significant value in medium and large scale projects. When finished with the appropriate topcoat for the specified level of wear, scratch and stain resistance, LBWP deco-

rative panels can be used in most vertical and some specific horizontal applications.

The production efficiency and relatively low cost of LBWP makes this decorative surface the ideal selection for cabinets, fixtures, slot walls, storage components, wall panels and decorative accents. s&p

APPLICATIONS/ DESIGN LBWP decorative panels are utilized in numerous woodworking end-use applications such as residential furniture (both assembled and ready-to-assemble), kitchen/bathroom/ garage cabinets, closet and storage systems, store fixtures, commercial office and contract furniture, wall paneling, architectural moldings, trim components and picture frames.

LBWP material can be used on flat panel surfaces, profiled components and edge banding to achieve an exact visual match on every surface of a component. The high print fidelity and realistic finish coatings of today’s LBWP decorative papers make them almost indistinguishable visually from real woodgrain, stone and textiles. Thus LBWP is highly desirable for many end-use applications.

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Light Basis Weight Paper Laminates: High Fidelity, Cost-Effective Design Solutions Circle the letter of the correct answer for each question below.

1.

One of LBWP’s most notable characteristics is:

A. Impact resistance

2.

Circle True or False: “Industrial” decorative papers can be unimpregnated.

TRUE FALSE

You will earn one (1) Learning Unit by answering at least 80% of the questions on this page correctly and submitting the responses with your contact information below. A certificate of completion will be sent to you upon receipt of a satisfactory submission. There is no fee.

3.

The realism of LBWP designs is due to:

Take this quiz online at www.DecorativeSurfaces.org

B Class A fire rating C. Extraordinary print fidelity D. Strength to weight ratio

A. Advanced printing technology B. Smooth surface

MAIL, FAX OR EMAIL COMPLETED QUIZ TO:

C. Heating the panel before laminating

Allyson O’Sullivan Composite Panel Association 19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306 Leesburg, VA 20176 703-724-1128, extension 251 Fax: 703-724-1588 email: aosullivan@cpamail.org

D. a and b E. a, b, and c 4.

Which is NOT an appropriate application for LBWP?

A. Cabinets B. Exterior siding C. Picture frames

CONTACT INFORMATION:

D. Paneling 5.

6.

Circle True or False: The term “calendering” refers to the process of smoothing TRUE FALSE the surface of the paper prior to printing.

Which adhesive system improves water resistance?

NAME COMPANY NAME ADDRESS

A. ABS B. PVA

CITY/STATE/ZIP

C. EVA D. Elmer’s

EMAIL

7.

Circle True or False: LBWP can be profile wrapped.

8.

Circle True or False: The basis weight of a LBWP decorative paper is TRUE FALSE differentiated after treatment.

9.

Increasing the amount of resin in LBWP’s decorative paper increases the material’s?

TRUE

FALSE

PHONE AIA #

❏ I would like to receive future CEU courses.

A. Internal bond strength B. Texture

SPONSORED BY:

C. Ink absorption

Composite Panel Association

D. Both b and c 10. Circle True or False: A PVA “wet line” is typically found in small shops.

TRUE

FALSE

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Abet Laminati 800.228.2238 www.abetlaminati.com

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Arborite 800.361.8712 www.arborite.com

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Arclin 877.689.9145 www.arclin.com

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McKillican 877.734.6473 www.mckillican.com

67 (IBC)

Blum, Inc. 704.827.1345 www.blum.com

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Northern Contours 866.344.8132 www.northerncontours.com

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Boise Cascade 888.264.7372 www.bc.com

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Omnova Solutions 866.332.5226 www.omnova.com

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Cefla 704.598.0020 www.ceflafinishinggroup.com

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Riken USA Corporation 609.387.2011 www.riken-usa.com

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Chemetal 800.807.7341 www.chemetalco.com

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Roseburg 800.245.1115 www.roseburg.com

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Composite Panel Association 866.4Composites www.DecorativeSurfaces.org

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Salice 800.222.9652 www.saliceamerica.com

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Schattdecor 314.400.6100 www.schattdecor.com

Perfecting motion

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edgexpress www.edgexpress.com

Lamitech S.A. 571.644.9898 www.lamitech.com.co

materialicious www.materialicious.com

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Funder America, Inc. 336.751.3501 www.funderamerica.com

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Stevens Industries 217.540.3100 www.stevensmelamine.com

2 (IFC)

Interprint, Inc. 413.443.4733 www.interprint.us

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Stiles Machinery, Inc. 616.698.7500 www.stilesmachinery.com

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JB Cutting Inc 586.468.4765 www.jbcutting.com

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Süddekor 413.821.9000 www.suddekorllc.com

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KCD Software 508.760.1140 www.KCDsoftware.com

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Surface Source International 973.598.0152 www.ssinorthamerica.com

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King's Mountain 704.739.4227 www.kmiinc.net

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Syndecor/AET Films, Inc. 800.688.2044 www.syndecor.com

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Kleiberit 704.843.4930 www.kleiberit.com

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Tafisa Canada 888.882.3472 www.tafisa.ca

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KML-Kustom Material Laminates 888.358.5075 www.kmlcorp.com

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Uniboard 800.263.5240 www.uniboard.com

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West Fraser Sales Ltd. 780.413.8900 www.westfraser.com

The Hidden Advantage ™

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F R O M

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E D I T O R

Always More In early November I attended the Decorative Surfaces Conference in Miami, and during the first luncheon I wound up seated next to Bill Barton, President of California Closets. Mr. Barton told me that originally he was there to give a presentation about the company’s business model, which developed in tandem with available engineered surfacing materials. From humble beginnings of raw particleboard closets to custom furniture-quality home storage for the stars, California Closets has made use of the best the industry has to offer. In fact, Mr. Barton put out the call to the audience to continue to bring new developments to market.

But at lunch Mr. Barton said that it had become clear that there was real benefit for him to be in attendance beyond telling his story; that the value was in learning about the technical aspects of the industry, from availability of raw materials to emerging technologies and networking. While the DSC did feature some stunning design presentations, the technical aspects of the program provided a different cross-section of market trends than the traditional trade or fashion show. Looking at the world of surface design not just from the point of view of what is desirable to the consumer, but from what is possible, was fascinating. Visiting the beach in

“Looking at the world of surface design not just from the point of view of what is desirable to the consumer, but from what is possible, was fascinating.”

November was pretty nice too :) Finishing the Q4 issue of Surface & Panel directly following the DSC feels good. Many of the stories here reflect the new possibilities bolstering the industry: finishing/texture, integrated LED lighting, environmental advances, BIM technology and surface design. Yet there is always more. I met several people in Miami that are working on new materials or processes that could have significant impact on the industry. Zooming out to look at different aspects of availability and development provides a whole new perspective on the way the industry is moving as a whole, which informs how all the parts fit together. It will be interesting to see how things unfold in 2012.

In closing I would like to take a moment to extend a sincere thank you to everybody who helped in the development of Surface & Panel in 2011. Thank you for answering my nosey questions. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and stories. Thank you for responding to inquiries. And thank you for your support. This industry has amazing, innovative, inspiring stories to tell about materials, technologies and design, and I am honored to have the opportunity to tell them.

Sincerely,

Suzanne VanGilder • Editorial Director • svangilder@surfaceandpanel.com

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