Surface & Panel Q4 2014

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Original Engineering for Original Designs Contemporary urban kitchens A Hospital in a Garden 3D-Printing and the Future of Manufacturing special Section :

Finishing matters

An Oasis for Innovation Good and “TANKED�

Surface Design Guide 2015

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mHouse Project My son-in-law is a psychiatrist. My daughter is a clinical psychologist.

Between them I get plenty of analysis, whether I like it or not. At dinner a few weeks ago I was explaining the progress of the mHouse Project, the stress, the challenges and the surprises we faced, but also the enjoyment of seeing it all come together. I told my son-inlaw that I often wake up at 4:00 am and think I am crazy for embark“I have a new answer when people ask, ‘why are you building ing on such an aggressive and risky project.

I said, “no one in their right mind would take such a chance, par- this house?’ It’s not because I am crazy. It’s because I am passionate … about the panel processing industry and deploying ticularly at my age. Do you think I am crazy?” “No,” he said, “but I think you are one step short of crazy.” “One step short of crazy our industry’s materials in a spectacular modern home.” doesn’t really sound that good,” I replied. “Don’t get stressed out,” he said. (I’ve been hearing this from both of them frequently) …“one step short of crazy is ... passionate.” I immediately felt better. It had a better ring to it than “crazy.” He went on to quote the great psychiatrist, Dr. Victor Frankl, who said, “what a man truly needs in life is not a tension free state, but the struggling and striving for a goal that is worthy of him. And it all starts with passion.”

No wonder these guys get $500/hour.

I have a new answer when people ask, “why are you building this house?” It’s not because I am crazy. It’s because I am passionate … about the panel processing industry and deploying our industry's materials in a spectacular modern home.

The mHouse Project will feature the most advanced surface and panel products our industry has to offer, truly uniting material, technology and design.

I am excited and passionate about Interprint’s décor designs and Uniboard’s textured TFL used in cabinetry, walls and ceiling in the kitchen…about showcasing Stevens Industries’ design collection and their fabricating expertise in the master suite. I can’t wait to see what interior designer, Amy Carman, has in store for the media room and how she will utilize the amazing high gloss acrylics and deep textured laminates from Premier Eurocase. Omnova Solutions and Northern Contours have teamed up to create a one-ofa-kind contemporary wine room. Northern’s Lary Skow, a designer himself, will truly enjoy working with Amy as they create this space together. Columbia Forest Products’ hardwood plywood will be dominate the fireplace, a key focal point in the 12-foot-high central living area. Architect John Vetter and Amy have already collaborated on the execution. Expect to be surprised. At 28' x 40', the garage will be more than a place to park cars. The design of this space and the cabinetry will rival Mario Andretti’s garage. Few garages have a 10' wide window. The mHouse does. Flakeboard (Arauco) designs will be featured throughout, in what must be considered more of a "living space" than a parking place. Tafisa designs will dominate a main entry hall with floor-to-ceiling cabinets. Quest Engineering is a key fabricating partner, producing many of the frameless cabinets for the home. Hafele hardware and LED lighting will be used exclusively in the mHouse.

Our industry's materials extend to the exterior of the home, as well. Fiberesin Industries StoneWood rain screen exterior panels will be used in conjunction with Simona Americas SimoWood (made from Resysta). SimoWood will be used in several unique applications including fabricated privacy screens.

Only the finest materials were used in the shell and core of the mHouse. Roseburg Forest Products’ engineered I joists, RigidLam laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and RigidCoat water resistant underlayment were used exclusively. Nearly 1,700 lineal feet of Roseburg’s RigidLam LVL was used in the shell of the mHouse. And to protect the shell, Kimberly Clarks’ new “Block It” house wrap will protect the house until the exterior rain screen is installed.

This project could have never gotten off the ground without the dedication and support from Marvin Windows and Doors and the team at Weather-Tek Design Center. The mHouse will feature over 1,600 square feet of windows, including a 24 foot x 12 foot Marvin Lift & Slide door…one of the largest in the Midwest.

The mHouse is going to be a very cozy place. We just received two containers of the world’s finest mineral wool insulation made by Fibran from Greece. Our partner, Econsynthetix provides an ecologically sound soy based binder used in the manufacture of Fibran.

Yes, I am passionate about seeing this project come together. There are so many stories to tell. But we will tell them all. Our goal is to communicate this project to the world through Bedford Falls Media and other national publications.

The grand opening will be a very special event.

For more information on the progress of the mHouse, go to www.materialicious.com and click on the mHouse icon.

All my best,

John Aufderhaar, Publisher (and Passionate Entrepreneur) | Surface & Panel | jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com | 920-206-1766

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Original Engineering for Original Designs Part architecture, part engineering, Moore + Friesl operates as an intermediary between designers and fabricators to bring seemingly impossible commercial projects into being.

12 Contemporary Urban Kitchens Feature Inventive Combinations and Dramatic Textures Engineered materials are particularly well suited to the design sensibilities of the worldly and environmentally attuned millennial generation.

20 A Hospital in a Garden [

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3 From the Publisher 10 Architect Spec 72 From the Editor 74 Advertiser Index

The new Nemours Children’s Hospital uses extraordinary location and excellent design to recruit great physicians – altogether supporting a world-class model of care.

28 3D-Printing and the Future of Manufacturing The first 3D-printed concept car exemplifies leading-edge technologies, and suggests shifts in manufacturing models that could influence all industries.

34 Finishing Matters A special section highlighting the finishing industry.

34 Advances in Coating Technology p u b l is h e r

John Aufderhaar President | Bedford Falls Communications 309 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-206-1766 fax: 920-206-1767 jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com

36 Environmentally Safe and Technologically Advanced Solutions for Powder Coating MDF

a dv e r t isi n g

Ryan Wagner VP Sales & Marketing | Bedford Falls Communications 309 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1945 fax: 920-206-1767 rwagner@bedfordfallsmedia.com Katy Schroedl Client Services Director | Bedford Falls Communications 309 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1947 fax: 920-206-1767 kschroedl@bedfordfallsmedia.com Editorial

Suzanne VanGilder Editorial Director | Bedford Falls Communications 309 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 608-698-0375 fax: 920-206-1767 svangilder@surfaceandpanel.com G r a ph i c D e si g n

Karen Leno Graphic Designer | KML Design, Inc. 923 Forest Edge Circle, Coralville, IA 52241 Ph: 319-430-5108 fax: 920-206-1767 kmldesign@mchsi.com C i r c u l at i o n

surfaceandpanelcirculation@gmail.com C o m p o s i t e Pa n e l A s s o c i at i o n Main Office

19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306 Leesburg, VA 20176 Ph: 703-724-1128 fax: 703-724-1588 Toll Free 1-866-4COMPOSITES www.CompositePanel.org Ca n a d i a n O f f i c e

Post Office Box 747, Station B Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1P 5P8 Ph: 613-232-6782 fax: 703-724-1588 International Testing and Certification Center

73 Lawson Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 Ph: 703-724-1128 fax: 703-724-1588 www.itcclab.org

40 An Oasis for Innovation Living in Las Vegas makes it possible for custom manufacturer CT Design to introduce new materials to the market, new capabilities to the shop and new product lines to the business.

48 Good and “TANKED” Whether the end products are simple boxes or aquariums fancy enough to merit a cable TV show, panel-processing depends on equipment with linear motion that is rigid, reliable and repeatable.

50 Surface Design Guide 2015 Each year, Surface & Panel magazine asks the industry’s leading decorative surfacing companies to share their latest designs and material advances.

On the cover:

Contemporary artisans, like Moore + Friesl, use modern materials – combined with software and equipment technology – to expand the possibilities of commercial design.

Surface & Panel is published quarterly 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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Part architecture, part engineering, Los Angeles-based firm Moore + Friesl operates as an intermediary between designers and fabricators to bring seemingly unachievable projects into being. Founded in 2011, the full-service practice focuses on digital technology to take complex and multi-faceted designs from concept to completion. “My parents have a friend who is a blacksmith. He worries that no one knows how to make things anymore,” says Marcus Friesl, principle of Moore + Friesl. “To me, the computer does nothing that the craftsperson behind it does not intend. That skills set, combined with the capabilities of modern materials and machines, takes design to the next level. It is still a practice of craftsmanship and care.” (To learn more about Marcus Friesl, see Architect Spec, page 10).

Beyond architecture, the real differentiating value of what Marcus Friesl does might best be described as Original Design Engineering. In simplified terms, the process goes like this. A client brings a general idea for a complicated design, say an impossible object made out of unobtanium. Marcus Friesl uses Inventor software from AutoDesk to create a three-dimensional digital model that reflects the complex geometries of the impossible object. From this, he is able to divine possible construction methods and practical material specifications. Unobtainium is notoriously difficult to source, but for this hypothetical project, routed Corian laid up on polyurethane foam and supported by a grid of Ultra-Core HDF meets the weight, performance and aesthetic requirements. Once Friesl digitally engineers a possible object, he creates files for each component part in the preferred software language of each fabricator. “To all the wood people we send out native Inventor part files, which is typically imported directly into AlphaCam. Our metal gets exported out in Pro/E neutral files,” says Friesl. “Bypassing the different fabricators’ engineering departments saves time, and all the parts come from the same digital model. When the finished components are delivered to the site, they come together as one cohesive design.” To complete the project, Moore +Friesl provides its own crew and on-site oversight for the installation.

Sophisticated Fabrication

To perform this intermediary design/engineering function well, Marcus Friesl continually learns about the latest technologies and processes, and seeks partners that do the same. “Touring shops in Germany with Homag is really inspiring. It opens our eyes to what is possible,” says Friesl. “A lot of what we do also depends on the sophistication of the fabricators. If they aren’t good, we fail. It is a very symbiotic relationship. We need fabricators who are open-minded and incredibly good at what they do.”

A regular partner for Moore + Friesl is GSF ltd, a Toronto-based custom millwork fabricator that happens to be owned by Marcus Friesl’s father, Nick Friesl. A second-generation German cabinet-maker, Nick Friesl spent 40 percent of his career as an engineering and production manager for a major North American furniture manufacturer. He acquired GSF and its 20,000 square-foot plant in 1986, and historically produced high-end store fixtures.

“The really interesting projects are only happening now in the last three years, since Marcus started his collaborations. He helps designers understand what is possible.” says Nick Friesl. “How it has changed our operations is unbelievable. Although we have everything for a proper woodworking outfit, the only machine I use now is a Homag BMG 511 5-Axis CNC processing center. We are quite busy, and yet I have not done any woodworking or veneering in over a year.”

Marcus Friesl’s technical prowess is also shaping the firm’s go-to-market strategy.

Conventional methods of bidding, which reward the lowest submission, do not work for a practice geared toward highest quality. Likewise, getting involved as a subcontractor can put several degrees of separation between a design and its production – including making it impossible for Moore + Friesl to designate fabricators based on their technical capabilities. On several occasions, Moore + Friesl ended up with jobs that were initially awarded to competitors who bid low, but inevitably failed because they did not anticipate the complexity of the project. Now Moore + Friesl works directly with clients (end users and designers) to develop and manage each project from concept to installation.

“It is a testament to what is happening in the industry right now,” says Nick Friesl. “You need very good people in engineering. That impacts the designs upstream, the skills downstream and the quality of the end product.”

The following examples of challenging designs illustrate how Moore + Friesl uses digital engineering to push the boundaries of what is possible. Father and son, fabricator and engineer, are both quick to point out that the materials are modern, but not new. In addition to the theoretical clues provided by digital modeling, these projects are successful in application because of the practical wisdom gained from the consultation of experienced craftspeople.

Van Cleef & Arpels

Museum of the Moving Image This project presented the Moore + Friesl team with several challenges. “We had to come up with triangular panels fastened to an ever-changing curved ceiling,” says Nick Friesl. “The difficulty was that it was not just a triangular panel. There was a chamfer around it, so the outside is pretty thin, then it rises up by three inches and becomes flat again. There are 1137 unique panels that have to curve exactly to hug the shape of the rounded ceiling.”

The digital engineering process gave the Moore+ Friesl team information that allowed them to address big issues with precise material specifications. First, the team established what to use for the basic structure. Aluminum was chosen because it is lightweight and easy to manufacture. Next, they addressed the design directive for the surface to carry soundabsorbing felt dyed to a specific color. “Most felt is matted, which disintegrates over time,” says Nick Friesl. “We found a manufacturer in Denmark that produces woven felt, which is more integral and fire retardant. Something had to give the felt shape. We also needed a fire retardant plastic material. The answer was Kydex.” Based on the digital model, the team created MDF molds and vacuum formed the Kydex into the proper shape. The pieces were hand trimmed, assembled and riveted to the aluminum structure. “Most of the triangles had to be curved one way or another. With the exception of the straight panels, they all had different curves,” says Nick Friesl. “Every one had a different address in the application.

Every one had its own program. We worked day and night. But in the end, the project was a complete success, and we have forgotten all the hardship.” n

The high-end retail fixtures described in the design brief for Van Cleef & Arpels were nearly physically impossible. The legs had to be extraordinarily thin, yet still accommodate internal wiring. To achieve this, Marcus Friesl designed specific molds for casting the two halves of each leg in aluminum. The parts were welded together, ground, polished and painted to be an exact match to the horizontal surfaces.

Corian was specified for the surfaces, which is doable, but the concept also included a significant five-inch skirt of material. “Corian makes sense in some applications, but with a lot of shapes, if you are gluing Corian together and milling, it is just a waste of money,” says Marcus Friesl. “We found that a substrate of high-density polyurethane foam could be specified in the same density as the resin. It can be glued into different thicknesses, shaped precisely with the 5-axis CNC router, and finished to resemble Corian. Another advantage is that the foam is a very neutral material.” Other shaped parts of the design were achieved by stacking and gluing MDF, then milling it. A netting, or coating, is applied to smooth the seams and prevent telegraphing. n

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New York Investment Firm “The reception desk is basically split into six parts with a Corian shell supported by a grid of Plum Creek’s HDF Ultra-Core that we call a honeycomb.

Essentially it is a top and bottom plate with mini gables on the inside. The wire chases and all of the needs for venting are embedded into the structure,” says Marcus Friesl. “They wanted stainless steel surfaces, but that was too heavy. So we accomplished the same effect as a 3-inch top by miterfolding a 16-gauge brushed stainless steel sheet.”

Within the project, the conference table carries over many of the same material specifications and construction solutions. All of the additional requirements for the piece, microphones cut outs, outlets, screw holes, structural slots and more, were modeled into the origin file, making installation quick and easy. n

C2 Credenza In addition to commissioned projects, Moore + Friesl continually applies their growing body of knowledge to create original pieces. The C2 Credenza represents the firm’s belief that ultra-modern contemporary does not need to be stark and uninviting.

The exterior features an ultra high-gloss finish using Senoplast furniture film, which is high-performance, PVC-free, UV resistant and recyclable. The acrylic film is bonded to an Ultra-Core substrate. “By using this film over traditional painting techniques, you achieve a higher quality gloss finish that is scratch resistant,” says Marcus Friesl. “In the beginning, it might seem like a very expensive material, but when you consider that there is no additional finishing, it makes sense.” The interior of the credenza features a bright matte painted finish. The rear of the credenza has integrated LED lighting that casts a soft glow. s&p

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Marcus Friesl, principle and co-founder of Moore + Friesl, fulfills an emerging role in production that may be best described as Original Design Engineering. With a Bachelor of Architectural Science from Ryerson University in Toronto and a Masters of Architecture from Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc), Friesl specializes in the use of digital technology to facilitate complex and multi-faceted design and fabrication.

Marcus Friesl Original Design Engineer S&P:

What influences your practice?

Early on, we designed a lot of complicated things, and we had a very hard time getting them made. I think every designer has a story where they have a great concept, yet continually hear that it can’t be done. It can be done. It takes a little more work and knowledge. That is basically what we apply.

MF:

S&P:

Where do you find that knowledge?

We’ve taken two technology tours through Germany with Homag Machines.

On those, we have seen everything from large-scale manufacturing to mom-and-pop fabricators. They are really eye opening. A lot of the shops have workshops where they invite designers in. They introduce them to the machines, how they are used and what can be done with them. That is definitely missing here. When designers don’t understand what is possible, it limits what they design to.

MF:

Since we help designers develop their concepts, we take it upon ourselves to understand what the equipment can do.

For example, a lot of our work is done with 5-axis CNC equipment, and it is very difficult to find an operator that moves beyond basic 3-axis thinking to run the machine like a proper 5-axis. As part of that due process, I’ve become certified to run a 5-axis machine, and that informs my engineering.

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The ZOW show is also fantastic for new materials and beyond-the-ordinary applications. And, of course, we learn through the process of doing. Eventually we would like to develop pieces in-house based on the techniques and materials we learn doing commissioned work.

S&P: As a craftsperson specializing in digital technology, what do you see for the future of panel processing in North America?

One of the things that we push with our design process is the level of precision.

Machines now have tighter tolerances, and it makes it possible to do things that could never be done before. For me, the product has to look good, and the curvy stuff will never look sexy if it is clunky and rough. The industry is better than that. For example, good CNC operators, if they stop a project for the night, will come back the next morning and re-register their CNC because they know the spoil board has expanded and contracted with the changes of temperature overnight. It could be a minute difference, but it is also what makes an absolutely perfect end product. That is the function of digital engineering. It finds those margins that expand possibilities and bring us closer to perfection. s&p

MF:

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Contemporary Urban Kitchens feature inventive combinations and dramatic textures Millennials are worldly and environmentally attuned. They want their living environments to reflect their values and aesthetic tastes, as well as their lifestyles.

G

en Y’ers are starting to exert a significant influence on architectural and interior design modes. This cohort of urban dwellers is open to new approaches and creative concepts, and they are drawn to visual, tactile and eco-friendly qualities in their surroundings. They gravitate toward decorative surfacing products that go beyond the boundaries of traditional oak, maple and cherry wood cabinetry.

Fortunately, there are many exciting new options in engineered home decor products that are fashionable and conducive to today’s active, aware and engaged population. Modern urban kitchens sparkle with fresh color palettes, novel textures and versatile, durable man-made materials such as 3D laminates and textured TFL, which offer a virtually unlimited range of creative decor options for living interiors.

Chic, lustrous, glossy finishes are hitting a trend.

3D laminates are made from thin, tight, heat-sealed films called thermofoils that are membrane pressed over an MDF substrate. The process is particularly wellsuited for contoured cabinet faces, and also makes a perfectly smooth surface for high-gloss. Its high resistance to moisture makes 3DL ideal for bathroom or kitchen cabinetry where humidity may be a factor. In addition, 3DL is less expensive and much easier to clean than traditional wooden cabinets. And, if installed correctly and cared for well, 3DL cabinets are extremely durable.

In addition to its practical benefits, 3DL offers a stylish, contemporary look that is prized by Millennials. For example, metallic filaments embedded in the wrap can add additional bling to a cabinet finish. Mineral overtones can add personality, and cabinet boxes that accompany 3DL doors can be matched or paired with finishes for a truly distinctive presentation.

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Lanz Cabinets, headquartered in Eugene, Ore., designs, builds and sells custom and modular cabinetry for homes and multi-family dwellings. With locations in Portland, Ore., Seattle, Sacramento and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., the company is plugged into urban markets throughout the western United States. Company President Brent Lanz sees high gloss as a hot trend, one that will continue to grow in the market, although he notes that rustic woods and more traditional manufactured decorative surfacing products are still popular, particularly in non-urban and single family developments.

Textured surfaces create a haptic experience.

Textured TFL is another manufactured surfacing product that is trending right now.

Textured TFL is less expensive and more resilient than veneer, plus it is easy to install and maintain and resistant to stains, scuffs, heat and moisture. What’s more, its textured finish creates an authentic semblance that appeals to all the senses.

Textured TFL panels bring character and color to living interiors especially in high-rise urban settings. Their simulated wood grain textures look nuanced and natural, yet have the durability and consistency of a manufactured product. “These are terrific products, and we are seeing innovative applications in both our face frame line, which continues to be the standard for many apartment and condominium projects, and our frameless product line, which is often used for high-rise and larger city projects,” says Lanz. The quality, strength and stability of both 3DL and textured TFL continually improves with increasingly sophisticated manufacturing techniques. The materials are so durable that they are often specified in commercial and institutional applications.

“We work with designers in Europe and throughout the world to see what’s trending.

The breakout trends are often inspired by fashion.” leta falk, marketing coordinator, KML

Edgewood delivers the look and feel of natural wood grain in a composite panel.

Now designers can “go wild” with exotic finishes, superior color consistency, fade resistance, and an authentic wood texture without using precious natural resources.

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“These are terrific products, and we are seeing innovative applications in both our face frame line, which continues to be the standard for many apartment and condominium projects, and our frameless product line, which is often used for high-rise and larger city projects.”

Brent L anz, President, L anz Cabinets

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Located in Tacoma, Wash., KML manufactures TFL decorative panels and offers eight unique designer textures. TFL panels carrying the popular Edgewood finish deliver the authentic tactile experience of natural grained wood-with superior durability, color consistency and fade resistance. According to Leta Falk, marketing coordinator for KML, it appeals to customers who appreciate the classic, timeless look and feel of wood, but want kitchen and bathroom cabinets that are affordable, practical and derived in an environmentally sensitive manner.

When specifying cabinetry for multi-family structures, developers often begin with a relatively standard base that will appeal to a broad cross section of buyers. Cabinets can then be customized using colors, textures and details that make them distinctive and exciting. “It’s an iterative process in which we match up our products with the designer’s vision, factoring in things such as cost, availability, timing, manufacture-ability, and the reliability of sourcing,” notes Lanz.

Many of the happening styles, textures and hues seen in today’s cabinetry originated in Europe. “We work with designers in Europe and throughout the world to see what’s trending,” said KML’s Falk. “The breakout trends are often inspired by fashion.” New concepts quickly make their way around the world via the Internet, social media, trade shows, and globetrotting consumers.

Lanz agrees that designers today are very much influenced by international design trends. “We definitely see the influence of European designers and the impact of globalization on cabinetry. Often the most innovative styles, colors and combinations are inspired by international aesthetic tastes.”

Many Gen Y urban dwellers are themselves foreign-born or have lived, studied or traveled internationally. In cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and Denver many young professionals hail from Europe, South America or Asia and they have a very global orientation. These urban dwellers are not steeped in traditional American design styles and they gravitate towards more eclectic furnishings, colors, textures, sizes, styles.

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“I would say that the momentum of new products coming to market forces us to work closer than ever with our suppliers.”

Brent L anz, President, L anz Cabinets

Design trends move rapidly around the world.

With today’s technology, designers have access to a world of ideas and they call upon manufacturers to respond quickly to what’s trending. Manufacturers rely on their suppliers to provide them with innovative new products and new techniques before trends hit their peak and become commoditized. The go-to-market cycle is accelerating with the influence of the internet, social media and mobile technologies. “I would say that the momentum of new products coming to market forces us to work closer than ever with our suppliers,” said Brent Lanz.

Suppliers need to be agile and innovative in order to anticipate consumer tastes and demands, and they must be willing to invest in the research, development, machinery and technology to provide what the market needs and wants. “It’s mainly the small niche suppliers who are nimble enough to spot the trends. If they get a product to market before it becomes commoditized, they can get a premium for it,” Lanz said.

Designers, manufacturers and suppliers agree that the current trends in decorative home furnishing, fixtures and cabinetry will only accelerate in the years ahead. Urban dwellers are keen to experiment with more contemporary looks and enjoy living in residences that are made livelier and more enjoyable with the addition of textures, touches of high gloss, and exciting tonal palettes. s&p

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a hospital In A Garden

M

ore than 70 years ago, Alfred I. duPont established the Nemours Foundation based on a firm belief that “it is the duty of everyone in the world to do what is within his power to alleviate human suffering.” Today, Nemours is one of the nation’s largest integrated, pediatric health systems. In addition to clinical – and hospital-based primary and specialty care, the nonprofit is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through research, education and advocacy. The organization includes more than 40 locations in the Delaware Valley and Florida. Of these, the new Nemours Children’s Hospital, located near Orlando, Fla., brings all the Foundation’s values into practice in one extraordinary setting.

What is exceptional about the facility is that its design does more than support the practice it houses – it is an integral part of creating and defining the operating model of the hospital. “Behind the Nemours Model of Care, which is our philosophy of how we want to provide services and care to our patients and families, we basically had a blank slate,” says Michael Cluff, AIA, who served as staff architect for Nemours and owner’s representative on the project. “It was a greenfield hospital, so our task was to create the ideal environment to fulfill that model. We knew we had to have a tremendous facility, in terms of design, finishes and medical equipment, to recruit great physicians. It all works together to support this world-class model of care.”

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World-Class Location

The 630,000 square-foot Nemours Children’s Hospital was one of the first entities to locate in Lake Nona, a real estate development strategically designed to be a “Medical City.” The well-supported theory behind the concept of a Medical City is that a cluster of healthcare, bioscience, research, and educational facilities in proximity to one another will foster collaboration and accelerate innovation. With its strong background of partnering with academic medical centers and research facilities, the Nemours Foundation recognized the potential of locating a hospital in such a nurturing setting. Yet it did provide a unique set of challenges to the design team.

“We had to create a very flexible environment because we didn’t know who the ultimate users were going to be. Layered on top of that, we didn’t necessarily know what services they were going to provide.

Were they going to be heavily geared toward orthopedics versus oncology, or something else?” says Cluff. “The other issue was we were going to start with zero patients, and we didn’t know how quickly the volumes into our emergency department and into our hospital were going to grow. So we had to design the facility in a way that it could open in pods.”

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Buildings That Heal

Nemours engaged two firms, Atlanta-based architecture and interior design firm Stanley Beaman & Sears, and Perkins+Will in Boston for the project. Because there were no established specialties, no cultural precedents and no defined patient population, the team used best practices and evidence-based design to develop the LEED GOLD certified facility. They also called in reinforcements. “We used a lot of national experts – physicians, surgeons and anesthesiologists from our satellite clinics in Jacksonville and Pensacola, as well as our sister hospital in Wilmington, Del. We also sought feedback from our patients and families. All of those insights helped us to design a very flexible institution that could grow,” says Cluff, who now supports the hospital’s master planning and facilities planning exercises. “And because we didn’t necessarily have that existing culture to work with, we were able to hire and recruit physicians, nurses and senior leaders that could build an operational model that would be supported by the facility.”

Despite all the unknowns, Nemours’ established Model of Care document defined how the organization would provide care across the continuum of pediatric patients, from birth to age 18. “It is what we used as architects and designers for the basis of how we organized the building,” says Cluff. “It stacks horizontally, sharing common functions on the same floor. So the orthopedic clinic is on the same floor as the orthopedic hospital beds, and orthopedic surgery and rehab gym. An orthopedic patient, depending on the acuity of the condition, could feasibly interact with all of those functions. We wanted to make sure everything is under one roof. At Nemours Children’s Hospital, patients don’t have to drive down the street or walk across a bridge to get to a specific function. Everything is accessible off the same floor. That was the genesis of the movement toward patientand family-centered care.”

“We designed the facility to be uplifting and empowering for the patients.”

Michael Cluff, AIA, staff architect for Nemours

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To remain flexible as physicians are hired and practices established, everything in the building is standardized. Every single hospital room, out patient exam room, emergency room department and operating suite are alike. “We had some ideas of the existing specialties that we had at our other Nemours clinics in Central Florida, but it wasn’t necessarily at the scale that we were planning,” says Cluff.

Additionally, the quality of the facility and its proximity to world-class research centers and educational institutions makes it possible for the Nemours Children’s Hospital to recruit sub-specialties, as well as core pediatric practices. “When the CEO and clinical operations team arrived they had the flexibility to build operating models to accommodate the specific needs of mainstream services, as well as the oneoff sub-specialties,” says Cluff. “For example, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday a specific exam room could be for orthopedics, and on Tuesday and Thursday when the orthopedic surgeon is in the operating room, that same exam room could be another sub-specialty.”

Since it was a greenfield facility, the Nemours Children’s Hospital started with no patient population. A secondary benefit designed into the layout of the building is the ability to open in pods. This helps the hospital to operate efficiently and staff appropriately. As practices are established and the patient population grows, additional pods are opened. The standardized design and layout facilitates easy growth. Soon the Nemours Children’s Hospital will celebrate its two-year anniversary of opening, and the patient population exceeds initial forecasting.

Public Spaces That Bring the Outdoors In

The comfort of patients and their families is as important to the Nemours Children’s Hospital’s model of care as are the well-organized buildings and super-star physicians. “We designed the facility to be uplifting and empowering for the patients,” says Cluff. “I strictly focus on healthcare design. Hospitals are the only building types that no one wants to go to. Ultimately you don’t go to the hospital for fun reasons.

So we did a lot of research into design elements that provide comfort and positive distraction. Our research included visits to the RitzCarlton to better understand how hospitality can influence healthcare.

A lot of energy went into making the environment something that supported being healthy and ultimately going home.”

The design team created the guiding principle of “A Hospital in a Garden,” which encompasses many of the aspects of evidence-based healthcare design – lots of big windows and natural light, soothing water features, dedicated fun areas to allow pediatric patients to feel like kids and interactive elements. There was also a directive to avoid themes of any kind. “So many children’s hospitals have characters or super heroes on the walls,” says Cluff. “We tried to use materials and design elements that are translatable. So that a two-year-old and a 15-year-old would both feel comfortable in the environment.”

Brenda Dietz, an interior designer and LEED AP with Stanley Beaman & Sears, helped design the interior spaces and specify the finishes for the Nemours Children’s Hospital. “Aesthetically, they wanted something that was timeless,” says Dietz. “That also translates into performance. As a firm, we are always trying to design so there is ease of maintenance. With every selection and every detail we consider the life of the product. For this project, we were concerned with trying to provide a 50-year palette. So we specified neutral materials that we knew were going to be there a long time, with the understanding that they could change out paints and carpets that have a shorter life.”

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Within the public area, neutral terrazzo flooring anchors the space, while translucent resin panels are widely used to add pops of interest. A feature wall and welcome desk built from 3form in the main lobby include integrated LED color-changing technology. “They really wanted to embrace a timelessness. The materiality of these special elements allows Nemours to change the look and feel of the open atrium and lobby space,” says Dietz. “They can set the tone for holidays and special events.”

Engineered materials also play important roles in functional fixtures. Solid surface integrated sinks and countertops from LG Hausys HI-MACS are used throughout the facility because the seamless design is easy to clean and repair.

“The layout of each floor is standardized, so we use distinctive colors on every level as a means of way-finding,” says Dietz. “The progression is based on the hues of the setting sun. Stanley Beaman & Sears has in-house super graphic capabilities, so each elevator lobby includes a vibrant image that fades into a color. That distinction is carried throughout the level in accents, such as routed panels from Modular Arts, and translucent wall cladding with cut out seating.”

Natural, undulating patterns continue into the auditorium with Art Diffusion wall panels by Interlam. The product, made with routed MDF, offers designers a lot of options both in terms of aesthetics and technical specifications. Depending on the end use, the MDF can be specified as Arauco North America’s Premier fire rated product, Sierra Pine’s NAF (no-added formaldehyde) board, or as a moisture resistant substrate. Finish options include membrane-pressed 3D laminated films, performance lacquers or raw, sealed surfaces.

Wood ceilings add warmth to the facility. “We worked with Rulon for our wood ceilings throughout,” says Dietz. “This is a LEED project, and they were able to customize with FSC-certified veneer that was within the region.” White oak veneer carries through to the chapel, and ties into the exterior metal cladding.

Personalizing for Patients

To better understand what finishes and amenities were important to the end users, the design team created a preview center prior to construction with complete mock ups of patient rooms, exam rooms and nurse’s stations. The feedback they received from patients, their families and staff helped the designers create comfortable spaces. Some amenities seem obvious, like patient rooms with sleeping space for two parents and on-site laundry facilities. But often the more subtle insights were also the most important, such as the specification of HPL in the patient rooms.

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High-pressure laminate, being a performance decorative surface, is used as a design element in the millwork and casework. Formica’s ColorCore solid color laminate is miter-folded into interesting shapes.

Designs from Wilsonart and Nevamar are used widely throughout nurse’s stations and patient rooms. However, no material stands alone, so context within the palette is important.

Another distinctive element in the patient rooms is color-changing LED technology that allows the patient to “paint the room with light.”

“When kids are in the hospital they feel like they don’t have control of their bodies or their environment. This technology gives them back a little control. It tells a story about the individual in the room,” says Cluff.

“At the same time it becomes an ever-changing exterior design element with fun colors that shows that this is truly a children’s hospital.”

To showcase the lights and finishes, a patient room was set up in the preview center. “We had chosen a nice, shiny, high-gloss HPL. As architects we all thought it looked really neat and classy,” says Cluff.

“Then one of the parents pointed out that the finish worked like a mirror, that it could be scary for little kids to see themselves hooked up to IVs and medical equipment. And that was absolutely right. We were thinking about how sexy the finish looked, and not about the practical implications of that decision. So before building out 100 rooms with glossy HPL, we changed the specification to a matte finish.” This seemingly small detail exemplifies the level of care that guided every decision in the design process. And the results are tangible.

The Nemours Children’s Hospital is a special place, where excellent design, a comprehensive model of care, and a location that provides access to research and education all coalesce. The institution attracts the best and brightest physicians, and offers world-class pediatric care regardless of a patient’s financial status. “All those factors add up to this amazing facility that has won several awards,” says Cluff. “And we are very proud of that. But ultimately we are proud of the services and treatment we are able to provide our patients and families.” s&p

3D-Printing

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ime waits for no one, and neither does technology. Disruptive advances in one area of manufacturing inevitably influence others.

Considering the open-source philosophy underlying most experimental 3D-printing

endeavors, the time when the technology becomes pervasive is likely to be sooner rather than later.

News stories of 3D-printed food, toys and even body parts sensationalize the emerging process, making it seem like science fiction. Yet, it has promise. Examining the use of technology in different areas of manufacturing – not just the how, but also the why – provides insights into the shifting paradigm of modern industrial production and the new opportunities that come with it.

A great example of this is the Strati, the first-of-its-kind concept car that was 3D printed, trimmed, assembled and driven during the 2014 International Manufacturing and Technology Show (IMTS). The entire project was completed in a week. Local

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Motors, together with the Association for Manufacturing Technology, Cincinnati Incorporated and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, printed all the parts of the life-size working vehicle that could be integrated into a single material. The process took 44 hours using Broad Area Additive Manufacturing (BAMM), a large-scale method of 3D-printing. Thermwood carried out the subtractive portion of the project on the third day, trimming and shaping the body into a streamlined form with a 5-Axis CNC router. Final assembly, including the mechanical components sourced from Renault’s Twizy electric powered city car, was completed in two days.

While the exhibition does have its own degree of fanfare, it is also thought provoking on several significant levels. Most obviously, it brings the leading edges of machinery, material and software technologies together in one application. More subtly, Local Motors presents 3D-printing as one method for breathing new life into the North American automotive industry, which suffers, in part, due to the limits of an archaic manufacturing model. The project also recognizes that as technology grows more flexible, the end user becomes more influential. “People focus on the Strati, but it is really more about the process itself,” says James Earle, advanced manufacturing engineer for Local Motors and lead engineer for the project. “We are changing manufacturing into micro-manufacturing. The auto industry faces three significant challenges to creating and iterating vehicles: count, weight and initial cost of tooling. We are developing processes to make it faster, easier and much more efficient to bring new, customized designs to market.”

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Re-Imaging Automotive Manufacturing

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Headquartered in Phoenix, the Local Motors platform combines global co-creation and local micro-manufacturing to bring innovations to market at unprecedented speed.

On the development side, the company stewards an on-line group of enthusiasts from all over the world, and continually crowd-sources to develop vehicle concepts and solve complex mechanical problems.

This ever-growing collection of innovations is used to design vehicles tailored to local markets. All information and advances are available to the public online for free.

For the 3D-printing exhibition at ITMS, which was held in Chicago, Local Motors staged a six-week challenge tasking members of the community to design a vehicle specifically for low-speed city driving.

The Strati, designed by Michele Anoé of Italy, was the winning entry among more than 200 received from 30+ countries.

On the production side, Local Motors sets up agile micro-factories in local markets.

“The idea is to create flexible work cells with modern manufacturing methods, such as 3D-printing, that are capable of efficient production,” says Earle. “Traditionally, car manufacturers require millions of square feet. They create tool and die and then mass-produce parts to recoup the cost of the tooling. Then the standard final product has to be sold across all markets. Our approach is a paradigm shift.”

In addition to producing vehicles to sell, Local Motors uses the micro-factory format to empower the maker community and drive innovation. The general public is welcome to schedule tours or attend the monthly open house. Those interested in the co-creative process have the opportunity to collaborate with the Local Motors lab team on projects. And for the true enthusiast, the immersive Build Program allows people to construct their own Rally Fighter – a street legal car developed specifically for off-roading in desert regions. The goal of Local Motors CEO, Jay Rogers, is to have 100 micro-factories operating worldwide in the next 10 years.

Code SP

During the ITMS, Local Motors set up a micro-factory featuring two primary pieces of machinery – one developed especially for the project, and one already commercially available for processing wood products, plastics and composites.

Cincinnati Incorporated (the oldest and only North American manufacturer of laser cutting systems, press brakes and shears for the metal fabrication industry) developed the BAAM 3D-printer used for the additive portion of Strati’s fabrication. This machine is similar to existing desktop 3D-printing technology (both use a process called fused deposition modeling), except larger scale for industrial production. Rather than plastic filament, the feedstock is pellets, which are both faster to process and less expensive. The body and chassis of the car were “printed” with a carbon fiber composite ABS, supplied by Sabic.

The subtractive portion of smoothing and shaping the surfaces was done with a Thermwood 5-Axis Model 70 10x15 CNC router. “There are so many ways this equipment can be used outside of the way things have always been done,” says Brent East, product and software manager for Thermwood.

“The technology crosses over from wood and plastic to composites. For Strati, we used traditional processes and tool paths. The differentiating factor from material to material is the tooling.” East’s team provided tooling manufacturer Royce Ayr with a sample of the composite material for analysis prior to the project to ensure the machine had the right tools for the job.

“By using those two machines to fabricate the structure of the vehicle, we eliminated the cost of casting tool and die, as well as stamping, a significant amount of assembly and finishing,” says Earle.

“With the 5-axis router we were able to do some really cool aesthetic work on the car without adding extra production steps and associated expenses.”

“One of the main tenants of our business is getting the designs into the digital realm so that we can collaborate with all sorts of people all across the world,” says Earle. “It really opens up a lot of new avenues for discovery and technology.” To that end, the programming behind the Strati project is surprisingly straightforward. “You start with a CAD file, which is probably the most time-consuming part.

“We are changing manufacturing into micro-manufacturing. The auto industry faces three significant challenges to creating and iterating vehicles: count, weight and initial cost of tooling. We are developing processes to make it faster, easier and much more efficient to bring new, customized designs to market.”

James Earle, advanced manufacturing engineer, Local Motors, lead engineer for the project.

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“It is going to be interesting to see how this evolves as our community continues to develop it into a commercially sold vehicle, because it is very different from the way things are traditionally done,” says Earle. “We are relying on technology that is evolving with us.”

A Macro/Micro Future

Once you have that model, you can translate it into an STL (surface tessellation language), which basically transforms the solid shape into a surface model. An algorithm splits that into layers, which dictates how much plastic the machine puts down on one plane. Then the program draws tool paths around it,” says Earle. “The challenging part for the additive process was that the available software is powerful on the small-scale, but underdeveloped for large-scale applications. So we had to fine tune.” For the subtractive portion, East used the same CAD file to program the 5-Axis router offline with standard Mastercam software.

The same paradigm shifts in manufacturing that are affecting the automotive industry are at play within secondary panel processing.

Already in North America, the micro-factory concept is organically taking shape. Flexible, scalable technologies offer manufacturers tremendous opportunities to efficiently expedite product development and meet customer demands on a local level.

Large furniture manufacturers are using in-house micro-factories in conjunction with 3D-printing, both conceptually and in practice.

The programming process gives new insights into the internal geometry of objects, leading to new designs. 3D-printing also allows for rapid prototyping and short runs of even complex structures.

Meanwhile, Cabinotch, a company that only produces clicktogether custom cabinet boxes, is establishing a network of small, state-of-the-art work cells to serve specific local markets.

And that is just the beginning.

“Sometimes people doing wood products don’t realize that their machines and software are capable of branching out into other materials – plastics and composites – and other applications. They do what they are used to doing despite the fact that most of the market is growing through differentiation,” says East. “It is not enough that the technology is advancing. We also have to have the philosophical and intellectual advancements to apply it.” s&p

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Matters

Advances in Coating Technology Environmentally Safe and Technologically Advanced Solutions for Powder Coating MDF

Advances in Coating Technology

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nert coating technology. The name sounds rather unassuming, but the implications for this relatively new process of sealing composite wood panels are pretty exciting. In the most practical sense, inert coating equipment offers considerable cost savings and efficiencies when compared to traditional roll coating lines. Yet the process, which can impart texture, is also an elegant way to prepare a board for digital printing. Last year Cefla introduced inert coating technology to North America as a solution particularly well suited for manufacturers of wall paneling, ceilings and flooring.

The Basics

The Sorbini equipment used in inert coating applies and UV-cures a thick layer (up to 120 g/meter²” depending on the performance requirements of the finished piece) of coating to a composite wood panel in a single pass. “To apply that type of thickness of material, you generally need four or five passes of regular roll coating. Often that is done with a series of machines. We can do it in one pass with this machine.” says Massimo Di Russo, vice president of Cefla North America. “So there are immediate advantages in the cost of operation and the footprint.” When the board enters the process, a thick coating of material is applied via a standard roll coater. The magic happens in the curing step, where UV light works in tandem with belt technology to thoroughly cure, and add texture to, the coating on the surface of the board.

“It is possible to cure a thick layer of coating with a standard UV light, but there would be a lot of orange peel. It would be wrinkly and would start cracking after a period. It is a not a good look.” says Di Russo. “So to get it smooth again for the next coat, it is necessary to sand the surface, and probably take off half the material that was put on in the first place. Which is why it takes so many passes to build up a thick coat with traditional curing. When parts come out of the inert coater they are completely cured after the first pass. Less wasted material, fewer process steps, less labor.”

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The UV coating material used in inert coating can be customized to meet the demands of a variety of end uses, from flooring to ceilings. Although the formulation is different than standard UV material, Cefla provides the specs to any coating manufacturer, making it easy to procure.

Inline with Digital Printing

In addition to inert coating, Cefla is working to advance direct digital printing technology. Closer examination of the processes shows how they complement each other. “Replicating rosewood is a good example. Genuine rosewood is extremely expensive, difficult to find, and in most cases, it’s illegal. So it is prohibitive, “says Di Russo. “We have a customer in Europe that used the inert coating technology in combination with digital printing to create large panels for hotel lobbies that look like rosewood, but are actually coated and digitally printed MDF. Even at a short distance you cannot distinguish which is real by sight or by touch. It is extremely cost-effective compared to other materials.”

The first step is inert coating, which imparts texture prior to the printing process, rather than embossing after. Next, the piece goes to the digital printer where both the edges and the surface of the panel are printed with the desired image.

Roy Pagan recently brought his expertise in digital printing technology to the Cefla North America finishing division. “Traditional laminates are printed with rotogravure, which uses between one and four engraved cylinders to replicate a natural material. When the printing is done, the pattern is repetitive and there is not a lot of dimension,” says Pagan. “Digital printing recreates high-resolution images. With the scanning technology available today, it is possible to take images of samples of a wood species and manipulate the files so that characteristics like light-play and shadow can be captured. The texture of the inert coating adds tactile fidelity. And repetition is eliminated.”

For companies interested in digital printing, it is not necessary to have scanning and digital manipulation capabilities in-house. Many firms, such as Lizza Studios in Forty Fort, Pa., specialize in digitizing samples. Lizza uses a Cruse CS285St Fine Art Scanner and

manipulates the image to create the desired aesthetic. The digital printer then automatically translates – or “rips” the native file, so no further programming is needed.

After the printing process, the board is top-coated in accordance with the demands of the end use. The result is a panel of commodity board transformed into a high-profit finished product.

Inert coating technology can be applied to a variety of composite wood materials, MDF, HDF, particleboard, honeycomb and more. The process offers considerable cost savings and efficiencies in terms of floor space, electricity, CO2 emissions, labor and coating material.

Altogether, Cefla estimates inert coating technology reduces environmental impact by 75 percent compared to traditional roll coating lines. Applied in-line with digital printing technology, inert coating offers producers of flooring, wall panels and ceilings a new method for adding both texture and high-fidelity design to standard composite panels. s&p

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Environmentally Safe and Technologically Advanced Solutions for Powder Coating MDF B y T o n y

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olvent-free and energy efficient are important features for the high-quality coatings used in high-end furniture or kitchen surfaces. A new and highly reactive powder coating provides safe processes and environmentally friendly coatings for thermally sensitive wood substrates.

MDF’s characteristic dimensional stability and consistency make it a popular material for furniture construction. Since the demand for environmentally friendly coating technologies is increasing, and the use of VOC-based coatings is facing more and more legal restrictions, users are searching for modern, green, flexible and sustainable alternatives. These coatings should not only be easy to apply, but also give flexibility with regard to color and design. Additionally, because MDF is a composite wood substrate, the ideal coating should cure completely at a low temperature and protect the board permanently.

The highly reactive powder coating systems of the IGP-RapidÂŽComplete series developed by IGP Pulvertechnik AG are specifically designed to reliably coat woodbased or temperature sensitive substrates. The development with the powder coating is designed for a quick cross-linking process at low curing temperatures, which protects the substrate material and saves energy. While conventional coatings can only be applied to MDF in multiple layers, powder coatings from the IGP-Rapid complete 88 program can be applied in one layer. For manufacturers looking for a smaller investment and lower curing temperature, the two-layer system of IGP-Rapid primer 13 and IGP-Rapid top 38 is an excellent solution.

With conventional paint (solvent-based or water-based) or foil coating, it is impossible for all six sides of a piece to be coated simultaneously. However, these ultra low temperature powder coatings can be seamlessly applied to all sides of a part, covering narrow edges, contours and surfaces in one step. The resulting coated product surfaces are especially resistant to moisture and abrasion.

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FINISH FIRST STILES FINISHING TECHNOLOGIES

In our 25,000 square foot sanding and finishing laboratory in High Point, North Carolina, we can test and prove out any process on any material so you can be certain you achieve the best results for your products.

Stiles has automated finishing solutions for almost any application in any industry.

We offer the latest technology available in: • Roll coating lines • Spray lines • Vacuum coaters • Panel cleaners • Sanding machines • Digital printers • Profile systems • Edge processing • Curtain coating

Our consultants have years of finishing industry experience, and are ready to lower your costs, increase your quality, and manage all your logistical support.

Talk to us. We’re ready to help.

For information on how Stiles can put new technology, new thinking to work for you, contact Stephan Waltman, VP of Marketing and Communications, at 616.698.7500 or swaltman@stilesmachinery.com. Visit us at www.stilesmachinery.com.

Software. Education. Training. Parts. Service. Support. Leasing. Rebuild.

Free of Solvents and Low on Emissions

The powder systems of the IGP-Rapid series are solvent-free and low in emissions, making them an excellent specification for environmentally friendly furniture coatings. Since the material is a dry powder coating containing 100 percent solids, recovery and recirculation of the overspray is fast and efficient. Further advantages are quick changes from color to color and a high degree of automation.

Depending on the configuration of the machinery and production capacity, two specifically designed powder coating systems are available.

The IGP-Rapid complete 88 system can be applied in a single layer. It requires curing temperatures above 250 degrees Fahrenheit and has short curing times. This powder possesses the adhesion and film flexibility properties similar to a primer, and the high physical and chemical resistance of a top coating, in one material.

The IGP-Rapid primer 13 and the IGP-Rapid top 38 are an exceptional choice for a two-layer solution. The highly reactive primer layer cures at 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Its glossy surface is designed to create optimal adhesion between the MDF and the top coatings.

Very Good Adherence

Tony Varda is Vice President of Sales/Marketing North America – IGP North America Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Wil, Switzerland, IGP Pulvertechnik AG develops high-quality powder coating solutions. IGP North America was founded in 2014 and is directly responsible for all activity in Canada, the United Sates and Mexico for IGP Pulvertechnik AG.

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Sanding prior to the application of the base layer removes major blemishes from the board surface and ensures a smooth finish. After that, an evenly applied primer layer fills the open pores on the MDF reducing the need for subsequent sanding. The film flexibility of the primer counteracts the substrate’s tendency to bulge and prevents cracking in the long term.

IGP-Rapid top 38 is available in different colors and enables a surface finish with different fine textures. Colors and gloss levels can be adjusted according to individual demands. The layer system allows for a material utilization of more than 90 percent, lower investments in machinery, and elimination of expensive process steps, such as sanding and additional coatings.

For fabricators and manufacturers searching out new alternatives for environmentally safe coatings with low emissions, the newly developed, highly reactive powder coating material offers two systems of solutions. Low curing temperatures and single pass coverage represent significant advances for powder coating wood products with consistent quality. s&p

A Great Finish is Only the Beginning

Ian Jackson Owner, Pentco Industries

Frank Brams Sales Representative Omega Coatings

Dallas McNulty

John McNulty

Sandra Filosof-Schipper

Manager, Pentco Industries

Manager, Pentco Industries

President, Omega Coatings

“Chemlife 24 is a go-to product. It has great fill, you can use it as a self-seal and it has higher solids than most products out there. It's user-friendly, cost effective and very consistent - it sprays the same every time. Using this product, we've been able to cut waste by nearly 30%.”

John McNulty, Owner Pentco Industries, Surrey, BC, Canada Pentco Industries Inc. was founded in 1979 and is one of Western Canada’s largest manufacturers and distributors of cabinet doors for single / multi residential developments, and commercial and institutional projects.

They are shown here with their Chemcraft distributor, Omega Coatings

Visit chemcraft.com to locate your nearest distributor. © 2014 AkzoNobel

Chemcraft® is a registered trademark of Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.

An Oasis for Innovation “If you know how to live in Vegas you can have the best time.”

Tony Curtis

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ocated in fabulous Las Vegas, custom manufacturer CT Design leverages home field advantage to bring new materials and products to the market. The local region – with its massive resorts and culture of suspended reality – offers area fabricators a rare combination of producing both volume and wow-factor. For Bryan Thatcher, owner and operator of CT Design, bringing new design solutions to clients also presents an opportunity to continually add technology and related competencies to his shop. “Primarily we do custom flat panel manufacturing for both residential and big commercial projects. We love hospitality, and here we get to push both new and familiar products,” says Thatcher. “You have to be willing to embrace change. On a local basis, we are starting to see the industry evolve. When people visit Las Vegas, they see the latest finishes. It is not always doing what has been done in the past.”

That being said, Thatcher is a classically trained woodworker. After graduating at the top of his vocational class, he opened CT Design in 2003 in his garage. More than a decade later, he credits relationships, continual pursuit of technology and passion for the on-going growth of CT Design. Currently operating with 15 employees in 8,000 squarefeet of production space, Thatcher is in the process of doubling the size of his facility by KBIS 2015. At the same time, he is making investments in equipment and software technology that allow him to expand his core competencies from custom millwork and acrylic fabrication, to functioning as an OEM and distributor of specialty products. In the bigger picture, CT Design has its sights set on a broader web-based platform that will allow end users to design their own custom products. “What we are planning for the future is pretty bold. Our objective is to take care of our local market and continually make new relationships,” says Thatcher. “That gives us the opportunity to grow and refine our processes, so that they are pretty much seamless when our online program goes live.” For more about CT Design’s state-of-the-art equipment and plans for the future see Tech Spec page 44.

Jowat | your partner in bonding

Photos Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment

One of the latest developments to hit the strip is The Linq, Ceasars Entertainment’s new open-air retail, dining and entertainment district. In addition to the expected nightclubs, casino and wedding chapel, The Linq redefines the iconic Las Vegas skyline with the world’s tallest observation wheel, known as the High Roller.

The on-site Linq Hotel includes 2000 modern-chic guest rooms that feature bed platforms, headboards, drawer parts, wall cladding, vanities, desking and tables made from Arauco North America’s TFL with Medina texture. Thatcher’s operating philosophy of building trusted relationships won the project for CT Design. “The material was chosen because of the look and feel, but also because the product is durable and the quality is consistent. We’ve had a lot of success partnering with Arauco as a supplier,” says Thatcher. “In my small facility, we cut close to 30,000 sheets in four months for the Linq Hotel. Each piece was edgebanded with matching tape from Teknaform and prepped for the GC to assemble and install. Arauco’s ability to produce and deliver those quantities of TFL in a timely manner, and it’s established matching programs with complementary materials, are huge boosts for CT Design.”

Following the completion of the Linq Hotel project, Thatcher toured Arauco North America’s Albany, Ore. facility to learn more about the expansion of the familiar Flakeboard brand of products, designs and services – now that the company is a part of Arauco.

Gonzalo Zegers, senior vice president Arauco International, explains it this way: “The primary objective of this re-organization is to position for growth and provide comprehensive solutions to our customers using a more effective and efficient operating platform. We will continue to add relevant strategies to those that exist today, and to expand on these through this new structure.”

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F 2014 at the IW 014 s u it Vis 3, 2 t 20 - 2 Augus 6113 Booth

Jowat offers a variety of Adhesives for furniture components that covers • 3D Membrane Pressing (1K and 2K) • PUR Hot Melt Adhesives for High Gloss Flat Lamination • Thermoplastic and PUR Hot Melt for Edgebanding • Hot Melt Adhesives for Precoating and Laminating Jowat – One supplier for all system components.

Jowat Corporation 5608 Uwharrie Rd. Archdale, NC 27263 Phone +1 336 434 9000 Fax +1 336 434 9173 www.jowat.com

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“Las Vegas exists chiefly to satisfy the needs and desires of its visitors, and this it does in spectacular fashion.”

Scott Doggett, Lonely Planet

The local market in Las Vegas is open to non-traditional finishes.

CT Design takes advantage of this by functioning as an OEM that sells cut-to-size and specialty products to other fabricators. “One of the ways we are expanding is by bringing new materials to the market,” says Thatcher. “It is common that the more design-driven products are slowly presented to the east coast, and sometimes are not available on the west coast at all. We are lucky that we have both the clientele that is willing to be more adventurous in design, and the technology necessary to process a wide variety of materials into ready-to-use components. That creates opportunity.”

“Vegas is everything that’s right with America.

You can do whatever you want, 24 hours a day.”

Drew Carey

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In response to growing demand for high-gloss, pearlescent and super-matte surfaces, Thatcher became the only authorized dealer in Las Vegas for a product called Luxe by Alvic. The panels are manufactured in Spain with a proprietary multi-step process that involves applying film overlay and lacquer to an MDF substrate. “It has the highest scratch resistance in the industry for a lacquer-based build,” says Thatcher. “The surface is glossy with an exact match TFL backer.

It’s the best gloss product I have run into in terms of durability and keeping its shape and rigidity. But you have to know how to cut the material, and you need to have the proper edgebander that can apply a very thin PUR to maintain the clean lines. We’ve invested in stateof-the-art edgebanding equipment, and have a great working relationship with Jowat for our adhesives.”

As a complement to the slick Euro-styling of Luxe, CT Design established a relationship with Olon to bring the classic look of five-piece doors to its product mix. “At first we were only using Olon’s program for our own projects. It includes MDF stiles and rails that are profilewrapped with their flexible NEXGEN laminate. They are assembled so the grain runs in the right direction on each part. The end product looks great,” says Thatcher. “Now, with the way modern styling mixes contemporary and classic looks, five-piece doors fit in really nicely with a full kitchen or hotel suite design. Compared to the solid wood alternative, it is also a cost effective solution. A lot of our OEM clients are taking notice.”

The decorative surfacing industry as a whole collaborates to provide exact matching programs across materials. These mutually beneficial relationships make it easier for fabricators to use engineered materials to efficiently create high-quality products. For the five-piece door program, Olon partners with some of North America’s most popular TFL producers – including Tafisa, Uniboard, Stevens, Funder and Arauco -to ensure that the back panels carry the same design and texture as the stiles and rails. Cathy Hummer, design and specification manager for Arauco North America explains, “Strengthening our connection with OEMs and designers at the specification level allows us to offer solutions from our broader group of coordinated products and services. It also positions us close to the demand drivers of design, so that we can respond quickly.”

Supplier responsiveness – and all the underlying partnerships that make it possible – enables companies like CT Design to confidently take on a wide range of projects while continually developing new ways to meet market demands. “I have passion for custom manufacturing, and I know I am not alone in that, ”says Thatcher. “When you find people that truly care about the success of the industry – whether they are suppliers or colleagues or industry veterans like my mentor Ed Moran – they will bend over backwards to help you truly understand the machines, materials and processes that make quality end products. Those are the people that make the industry better. In the end, it is all about relationships.” s&p

Panels Never Looked So Good!

Flakeboard’s TFL program is a collection of exclusive designs that move, inspire and endure, all with a program designed to make finishing seamless.

SF238 FUDGE

SF237 CHARCOAL

The design of your choice can be specified on the most diverse range of 100% recycled/recovered composite panels available.

WF409 RANCH GATE

WF407 WEATHERED VANE

WF408 HAYSTACK

PARTICLEBOARD

MDF / HDF

VESTA™ (ULEF)

VESTA™ (ULEF)

TERRA™ (NAF)

TERRA™ (NAF)

Duraflake®

Premier® MDF

UltraPine®

Superior™ MDF FIBREX® VESTEX™ (MR50)

TFL − Thermally Fused Laminate (Melamine) Hundreds to choose from, along with our exclusive collection.

Nine textures including our newest; Medina, Cascade, Sawcut and Timberline.

eLite™

Some images provided by California Closet (©2014 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Franchises independently owned and operated.)

www.arauco-na.com

CT Design’s current facility is equipped with: n Biesse Skill 1536 G FT CNC Router and nested base cell, complete with loading table and offloading conveyor. This automated cell is used for high-output jobs and requires a single operator. n Biesse Rover B CNC machining center with a 4’x10’ flat table, used for acrylics and finer materials that require a more precise edge. n Two Fravol S600 edgebanders feature CNC accuracy and a globally patented gluing system that can accommodate both standard and acrylic tapes, and multiple adhesives. The patented corner-rounding unit can follow any edge profile, including beveled, from 1-3mm radius. n Vitap Eclipse contour edgebander n SCM praytix S15 CNC Router

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CT Design: Accuracy and Versatility CT Design’s relatively small facility is a testament to the variety and volume of products that can be manufactured with state-of-the-art panel processing equipment, software and engineered materials (see An Oasis for Innovation page 40). Owner Bryan Thatcher credits his early education in traditional woodworking for helping him to understand and implement modern fabrication technologies. “My knowledge of how a hand planer works and how to use a router bit to round things over – even simply understanding curves – helps me to be more effective and efficient with the machines. It helps me predict how materials will behave during automated processes,” says Thatcher. “When I look at machinery with the intention of making a product that has the best possible edge, all those fundamental concepts come into play.”

Thatcher appreciates the beauty of natural wood and the craftsmanship necessary to work with it. Although it requires significantly more labor to fabricate solid wood products, CT Design is a custom manufacturer and works with it as specified. However, in planning for the future, Thatcher’s investments support the more contemporary craftsmanship of panel processing.

“I am a big supporter of both,” says Thatcher. “As a business, I am leaning more toward the engineered materials. They are more predictable and consistent. Processed with precision equipment, it is possible to produce durable products that have the look and feel that end users want, and it can be done more quickly, easily and cost-effectively.”

Each machine in CT Design’s current 8,000 square-foot facility was carefully selected for accuracy and versatility. The equipment, combined with on-going educational initiatives, gives CT Design in-house capabilities to process traditional flat panel laminates (TFL, HPL, veneer), as well as specialty materials (acrylic, Luxe high-gloss lacquer, plastic). Driven by KCD software’s integrated design and production platform, the company is not only meeting the needs of the local market, but is poised to grow significantly beyond it. Plans for 2015 include doubling production space, adding new machines to better serve existing custom and OEM clients, and launching a new go-to-market strategy.

“What happens in Vegas… doesn’t always stay in Vegas….”

Made by generations to last for generations.

From our founding in 1918 as a single ply veneer mill, Darlington Veneer has grown into one of the oldest and most successful manufacturers of quality hardwood plywood products in the nation. Third-generation family owned, we’ve merged our knowledge and expertise with modern manufacturing techniques and craftsmanship.

From the selection of raw materials to completion, you’ll find outstanding quality in our hardwood plywood products that include cores of: • MDF, Particleboard, Domestic and Imported Veneer Core, OSB, Combi-core, FR MDF, FR Particleboard • Forest Stewardship Council Certified Products • Custom and Special Orders Available Contact us for a trusted relationship that will last for generations.

Darlington, South Carolina 800.845.2388 dvci@darlingtonveneer.com www.darlingtonveneer.com

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CT Design is preparing to take production to the next level with an online custom furniture platform.

Customers (both residential and commercial) will be able to customize products from a catalog built around the company’s manufacturing capabilities and supplier relationships. “We believe in our software and our machinery – and that we can take manufacturing a step further to allow customers to be an interactive part of the design process,” says Thatcher. “Our goal is to encourage that – to show that we can give people options without compromising quality or changing our structure. We want to ship beautiful products made from durable materials. After a piece is put together, it should look like custom furniture.”

To support the new line of business, CT Design will be adding equipment to the new facility and developing a more comprehensive software system. Although the details are still in the proprietary phase, Thatcher is actively researching drilling and dowel insertion as well as profile wrapping solutions. “We’re growing by leaps and bounds,” says Thatcher. “It is really exciting because investments in any one part of our business benefit the other parts as well. This expansion will allow us to better serve our commercial clients, OEM partners and residential customers.” s&p

Press-Plate by KMI.

www.KMIinc.net ISO 9001:2008 / AS9100C Certified

Good and “TANKED”

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as Vegas-based Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM) builds enormous and awe-inspiring tanks and aquariums for top celebrities, luxury hotels and casinos, Fortune 500 businesses, private homes and millionaire homeowners across the country. The tanks range in size from 50- to more than one million gallons, and are filled with the most exotic, colorful and sometimes dangerous fish in the world. Last year, ATM built over 10,000 aquariums.

Described as two of Sin City’s most imaginative businessmen, ATM’s owners, Wayde King and Brett Raymer are quite the team cracking jokes in thick New York accents. In fact, they are so entertaining that they have their own reality show on the Animal Planet network, called “TANKED”. Yet, underlying all the showmanship is true master craftsmanship that comes from 21 years of building a comprehensive business. “We are pretty much one of the only manufacturers that actually does everything – all the cutting, bending and bonding for the acrylic, the welding and powder coating of the stands. Then we do all the life-support, make some of the filters, do the coral inserts, all the signage and plumbing. We build the tank, do the theming and then get the façade work done all around the aquarium,” says King. “When someone wants something custom, it’s one-stop shopping.”

ATM has 58 employees and a 34,000 square-foot facility that includes 25,000 square-feet of manufacturing, and a showroom/ retail area to accommodate the 200-300 people per day that come for tours. “It’s really about marketing yourself. I try to let people know what is possible with the materials and the technology, because they are always advancing,” says King. “’TANKED’ is great for that. Before people understand what we are capable of, they still think of aquariums as rectangular cubes.” Pushing the boundaries requires ATM to continually refine its operations, which means expert-level understanding of materials and continual investments in technology. ATM’s fabricator and supplier partners also benefit from learning how to better meet the company’s evolving needs.

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Becoming “TANKED”

The debut of “TANKED” in 2011 brought all sorts of interesting new requests to ATM. “With some projects it is very difficult to fulfill what the customers want,” says King. “Parts have to match, and nothing is standard.” The size, shape and necessary life-support systems for an aquarium are all factors that ATM uses to engineer the design of a tank, which also influences what type of acrylic and adhesive systems are specified. Completed plans are sophisticated, and literally, must hold water. To translate some of the more complex designs into digital files for production, King turned to a custom millworker, his friend Bryan Thatcher, owner of CT Design (see An Oasis for Innovation page 40). “We teamed up with Thatcher to do some of the projects. He did the programming for the CNC so we could get those special requests just right,” says King. “Thatcher is incredible on the computer and with his machines. He also did the woodworking to create the sur-

rounds for projects like the Mob Experience. It’s fun to work with him and exciting to let the world know what we can do.”

One of the projects that stands out for Thatcher is a gumball tank made for the Serendipity restaurant in Las Vegas. “It’s great working with Wayde because he has so much passion for what he does.

I was qualified to program and cut the radiused parts because of our machines and KCD software, but it was really his knowledge of acrylics and how they work that made it possible,” says Thatcher. “It really boils down to education. If you are willing to pay attention to the material you are working with, then it is a lot easier to incorporate the machinery and software to create a superior product. Working with ATM made us a better OEM. ” Being “TANKED” is Better Together

Another of ATM’s mutually-beneficial partnerships is with Stiles Machinery. “We built our business on panel-processing for wood products, “ says James Swanson, Stiles product specialist- Weeke North America. “But there is a lot of crossover into plastics and composites. Regardless of the material, quality end products rely on machines that have a linear motion package that is rigid, reliable and repeatable. As a vendor, we have experts in each area of material that understand the different tuning configurations, tool geometries, feed speeds and common RPMS, optimization and fixturing strategies- so we can help customers put their machines to the best use, regardless of the type of panel.”

As ATM’s fame continues, so do the requests for ever-bigger and more elaborate aquariums. To meet those demands, ATM recently made additional equipment investments. “We’ve been partnering with Stiles for three years. They actively work with us to make our operations better,” says King. “For this recent expansion they spent days with us

in our shop figuring out the best ways to streamline our operations. With the new edge-polishing and vertical milling machines, we can prepare acrylic edges for glue-up within a matter of minutes. That process used to take 12 or 15 hours, sometimes days. They saved us hundreds of man-hours, so now we can do more custom designs and theming.”

During this time King and Raymer also made a visit to Stiles Machinery in Grand Rapids, Mich. to try out equipment and learn more about the company’s support and services. Always dynamic and engaging, the team from ATM combined forces with Stiles to do something special for the community of Grand Rapids. The result is a 12-foot acrylic fish tank featuring a unique rapids-like bend in the front panel and a lighted etching of the Grand Rapids skyline in the rear panel. Stiles donated the 700-gallon, 7,000- pound aquarium to the Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center in downtown Grand Rapids, and Animal Planet recorded parts of the fabrication, installation and unveiling for a segment on “TANKED.” “I’ve been building tanks my entire life. It’s fun,” says King. “Having good partners helps us to do bigger and more amazing things. It keeps us above our game.” s&p

Acrylic Tank Manufacturing uses the following equipment to build the elaborate aquarium projects seen on the show “TANKED”

• Weeke ABP 310 Edge Polisher • Altendorf F45 P Sliding Table Saw • Holzma HPP 410 P Panel Saw • Weeke Vantech 510 Router • Belfab DW-15 Dust Collector

Wayde King, co-owner of ATM (left) and Russ Suor, executive VP technology for Stiles Machinery, at the unveiling of the aquarium that was donated to the Mercy Health Lacks Cancer Center in Grand Rapids.

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2015

Surface Design Guide Each year, Surface & Panel magazine asks the industry’s leading decorative surfacing companies to share their latest designs and material advances. The resulting Surface Design Guide is a showcase of the trends and technologies that are shaping the marketplace. Beyond beautiful, this guide is intended to inspire specifiers and fabricators alike to understand what resources are available to create the best possible solutions.

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OMNOVA Solutions www.omnova.com/laminates

Matte finishes are one of today’s hottest trends for a broad range of contemporary interiors. With nothing to distract, the matte surface acts as a grounding factor to the glitz of a retail boutique or to the bright lights in today’s modern kitchen. The trend-setting Matte Collection provides the ultimate style juxtaposition, as the modern matte surfaces contrast perfectly with chrome, glass and polished surfaces. Eliminating reflection brings focus to the color and quality of the laminated element and, in retail, the displayed products. Like all OMNOVA surf(x) 3D Laminates, the Matte Collection features dimensional flexibility, stain resistance and durability.

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Arborite

www.arborite.com

Formica

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Arborite's Collection includes an exquisite range of on-trend colors and timeless textures that are suitable surfacing materials for commercial, residential, and institutional settings: warm wood grains that have been scaled up to reveal fine details; illustrative patterns in lively primary colors; and of course, no collection is complete without shades of gray that offer a neutral backdrop to make furnishings and accessories stand out!

www.formica.com Now with 20 patterns, the 180fx® collection by Formica Group marks a revolution in surfacing with true-to-scale granite, wood and stone patterns that offer visual drama unmatched by any other laminate. A rich mix of creamy white and linear veins of gold and gray highlighted by chocolate brown crystals, River Gold compliments a variety of design styles and is one of the most desirable granite looks today.

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Oak Tick Forget- Me-Not

dragon Hay

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Interprint

www.interprint.com Premeer®, Interprint’s oriented polypropylene-based decorative overlay, can now be produced with a three-dimensional texture.

Introduced at the IWF 2014 show, Premeer custom texture patterns can be combined in-register with on-trend printed patterns and solid colors such as ‘Forget-Me-Not’ blue or the khaki-inspired ‘Hay’, or as a random enhancement. Textured patterns can scale large and graphical, like ‘Dragon,’ or subtler, like an oak tick. With its superior wear-resistance, moisture holdout and environmentally friendly characteristics, manufacturers of shelving, cabinetry and furniture have turned to Premeer to protect their board. Now Interprint combines that high performance with on-trend custom textures.

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Tafisa Canada Inc.

www.tafisa.ca Introducing Origen, a brand new texture and genuine tactile surface for decorative panels. Available in 14 colors including eight beautiful woodgrains and six modern solids, Origen is yet another design innovation developed by Tafisa. This new collection is part of the mix and match concept introduced by Tafisa and comes with a complete range of complementary products – HPL, edgebanding, mouldings and thermovinyl. Tafisa decorative panels are manufactured using 100% recycled and recovered wood materials, saving millions of trees every year.

Real Metal Laminates

800 228 2238 | www.abetlaminati.com

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« Abet Laminati www.abetlaminati.com Abet Laminati’s Parade Collection of colorful and invigorating laminates designed by Italian designer Giulio Iacchetti is now available in the United States. Parade’s fanfare is found in its bold digital design, durability and easy maintenance. Three patterns available in three color variations adapted from freehand drawings, illustrate the organic side of Giulio Iacchetti’s famous industrial designs: The Derby pattern’s short, effortless pencil strokes simulate a luxurious lawn in green, or a burst of color in red and yellow. The Sei finish is perfect for horizontal and vertical applications.

The Tar-Tan décor has lines of varying color and thicknesses intersecting at ninety degree angles, creating a pattern vaguely related to classic Scottish textile design.

Tar-Tan is available in gray with multiple colors in a gloss finish.

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The Ya-Yoi polka dot pattern brings a chromatic duality to life by applying drops of different colored ink on top of each other. Available in red/blue, blue/green, and green/pink, its Sei finish is perfect for horizontal and vertical applications.

Northern Contours

www.northerncontours.com INSPIRED by Northern Contours is driven by the desire for elevated spaces that exude style, detail and innovation. The INSPIRED platform is perfect for those seeking products of the highest quality that are at the forefront of current and emerging design trends. The offering features textured, grain matched, and sketch face wood veneer, sleek glass doors, aluminum frames with a stunning array of designer glass inserts and so much more. With INSPIRED by Northern Contours, finely crafted products await creative ideas.

«

Surface Source International

www.ssinorthamerica.com Copernicus Oak Light is a modern oak design with incredible print fidelity. Its low-gloss super matte surface completes the life-like 3D laminate characteristics.

Copernicus Oak is a great choice for residential and commercial cabinetry as well as fixtures and displays.

Copernicus Oak is produced by, Klöckner Pentaplast, and is part of the Pentadecor 3D laminate film product line. It is available from stock at SSI North America.

Treefrog Veneer » www.treefrogveneer.com Treefrog introduces Treefrog Press, a new collection of seven prefinished wood veneer laminates with deep textures that emulate the look and feel of barn board and worn flooring.

Available now in 4 x 8 foot sheets, Treefrog Press features lighter wood species like Ash, Walnut and White Oak, which are becoming more popular now, as well as standbys like Wengé and Black Oak. Treefrog Press has a light melamine coating and with its deep grooves, is ideal for vertical and light duty horizontal installations.

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Laminates Inspired by Life.

Introducing the Matte Collection Matte finishes are one of today’s hottest trends for a broad range of contemporary interiors. With nothing to distract, the matte surface acts as a grounding factor to the glitz of a retail boutique or to the bright lights in today’s modern kitchen. Like all OMNOVA surf(x)® 3D Laminates, the Matte Collection features dimensional flexibility, stain resistance and high durability. The trend-setting Sulfur and versatile neutral palette provide the ultimate style juxtaposition, contrasting perfectly with glass, chrome and polished surfaces.

Matte White

Matte Sulfur

Matte Khaki

SURF(X) is a registered trademark of OMNOVA Solutions Inc. © 2014 OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

Matte Stone

Matte Steele

Matte Black

866.332.5226 www.omnova.com/laminates

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« HI-MACS

CARVART presents glass markerboards as the perfect way to reflect an individual's work. Glass markerboards can be incorporated into a wide range of interior projects in the workspace such as meeting, conference rooms, offices or any space where employees gather for presentations. These freestanding surface mounted writable glass surfaces are available as magnetic or non-magnetic and are easy to maintain. The washable surface is available in white and a variety of standard colors as well as custom colors. CARVART glass markerboards are offered in four standard sizes: 3'x3', 4'x4', 6'x4', and 8'x4', custom sizes and configurations are also available.

Pentadecor Copernicus Oak ®

EI/3902 A16 BL

EI/3901 A16 BL

Copernicus Oak Light and Dark have a rich super matte finish with a look and feel of finely finished wood. Both are part of the North American 3D Laminate stocking program.

In stock and ready for your program today!

Pentadecor® is produced by Klöckner Pentaplast, and is distributed by SSI North America. www.ssinorthamerica.com info@ssinorthamerica.com | p. 973.598.0152

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The HI-MACS® Sparkle Collection is the work of gifted designer Karim Rashid. Strong and vibrant tones and a distinctive glittering effect like a distant galaxy are the unique hallmarks of the new colors, which will give designers new dimensions with which to imagine and work.

Some of the Sparkle colors are bold – such as Key Lime and Kandy Pink. More muted hues like Kreemy Grey, Kold Silver and the instantly popular Kanada Violet offer a design juxtaposition that allows designers to mix and contrast colors within a single work, as HI-MACS® can be invisibly joined.

The material’s outstanding properties and easy fabrication allow the most audacious creations.

Panolam Surface Systems

«

«

Carvart

www.carvart.com

Photo by photo byLuc Frey

www.himacs.eu

www.panolam.com Panolam® Surface Systems presents The Barista Collection by Nevamar®, the company’s recently launched line of technically innovative high pressure laminate (HPL) products. Comprised of sixteen new elegantly neutral wood grains and abstract visuals, The Barista Collection is designed to facilitate harmony and compatibility among all finishes and furnishings in a wide range of interior environments.

Panolam’s Senior Director of Design & Communications, Debbie Sulewski explains, “Throughout history, many creative ideas have influenced progress and driven change. These ideas have often begun in the urban coffeehouse environment and served as a backdrop to collaborative thought remixed into great ideas. Likewise, we believe The Barista Collection sets the stage for colors, textures and shapes to work together to create stunning interior environments.

Also, the Barista Collection is about serving our client base from designer to end-user and broadening our communication platform.”

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«

Arclin

www.arclin.com Art, architecture, science, industry, nature, interior design, fashion, Arclin turns to a myriad of sources for inspiration for its more than 150 TFL designs: from wood grains — pines, cherries maples and exotics — to textures, solids and more.

The company’s innovative technologies and manufacturing processes make Arclin TFL ideal for particleboard, MDF and specialty plywood substrates, and can be customized to meet design needs and manufacturing criteria. Arclin’s E-Gen®-designated TFL are available with GREENGUARDSM certification and may contribute to LEED credits for improved air quality.

«

Wilsonart

www.wilsonart.com/commercial/laminates/virtual-design-library Virtual Design Library Reach beyond the wallboard with Wilsonart’s Virtual Design Library. From photorealistic imagery to abstract and artistic graphics, the online Virtual Design Library offers a growing selection of exclusive patterns to fit your needs. Beginning with a 20-design Folk Art-inspired launch, the VDL collection will celebrate a variety of styles for a variety of design preferences including Retro, Geometrics, Woodgrains, Nature, Delectable, Off-theWall, Sports, Study Hall and Youthful. Think Folk Art with sophistication, Alexander Girard with an innovative twist, mid-century modern or a spin on ‘60s and ‘70s style. When it comes to where to use this new and exciting variety of Wilsonart® Laminate designs, the possibilities are endless.

Toppan » www.tia.toppan.com Toppan Interamerica’s textured prints combine the authentic look of handcrafted materials with the durability of laminates.

The dimension of the texture is synchronized with the highquality pattern to create a realistic design that captures the intrinsic beauty of woods, stones and textiles alike.

Toppan’s Lintel Oak and Herringbone paper designs illustrate the character of reclaimed materials and tactile finishes that are becoming so popular in global environments.

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Decotone Surfaces is one of the largest distributors of Lamitech Laminates in the world with stocking locations in New Jersey, California and Florida

Decotone Torino Laminates Italian Inspired Designs

Decotone Custom Digital Laminates

Decotone Metallic Laminates

Decotone Translucent Panels

Lamitech Decorative Laminates

by Decotone Surfaces

Zenolite High Gloss Acrylic Panels

All products marketed and distributed by Decotone Surfaces in the US, Mexico and Canada

Tel: 908-301-0600

www.decotonesurfaces.com

sales@decotonesurfaces.com

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»

DVUV

www.dvuv.com UVMax® Solid Surface powder coated finish for MDF gives the look of real solid surface materials without the cost. This multi-component finish adds lots of dimension and depth and is perfect for retail store fixtures, POP displays, kiosks, healthcare, education & office furniture and architectural industries.

The products use 100% recycled, SFI-certified CARB compliant MDF. UVMax® UV-cured powder coatings contain no solvents or VOCs. Fast UV finishing process takes just 20 minutes from raw MDF to ready-to-ship part.

Uniboard

»

UVMax® Solid Surface is available in Lavastone, Desert Stone, Sandstone, Greystone, Grey Frost and Midnight Blue. Custom color matching is available.

www.uniboard.com Uniboard previews its newest TFL color offering. The Collection, featuring exciting and fresh color trends was developed with the Aura, Brushed Elm and RIO® finishes in mind. Uniboard introduces Blackwood, Cocoa Bean, Ginger Root, Tundra, Driftwood, and Memento. These unique, stylish and innovative new colors will bring a breath of fresh air to every creation and design. By discovering Uniboard’s newest thermofused laminate collection, you will never look at TFL the same way again!

»

KML

www.kmlcorp.com Edgewood, KML’s latest designer finish, delivers the look and feel of natural wood grain, but with superior durability and consistency.

Through Edgewood, designers can now specify exotic materials for large project with much greater color consistency, fade resistance, and an authentic tactile experience without using exotic natural resources.

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With eight unique designer finishes, over 70 stock colors (and more than 800 specialty colors), four substrate options, two lamination processes, and a component department that offers cut-to-size boards up to 11 feet long, KML allows designers to “go wild” with unprecedented customization.

vibrant, modern, timeless.

2014

Lamitech COLLECTION Lamitech Ref.: Smoked Rovere 1504

2014 COLLECTION. We are inspired by natural creativity.

Phone: (57-1) 644 9898 Fax: (57-1) 644 9897

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Impress » www.impress.biz

Shabby’s white-varnished wood planks have been intensively used. Hence the original wood handling marks are clearly visible, together with new signs of wear and tear. The predominant part of the decor remains monochrome, an interesting possibility for white or colored designs.

Shabby

Aragon Oak is full of character and has a high recognition value. The powerful, rough and rustic structure places striking highlights. Brushed surfaces with a 3-dimensional effect are state-of-the-art and the whitewashed pore emphasizes the lively interaction of the shapes.

Drain Ash attracts attention. This ash is extremely special. When coming along as an allover, it creates generous flooring surfaces. However, the big distinctive cathedrals with the expressive white pore also appear very attractive on furniture.

Drain Ash

« Wilsonart Solid Surface www.Wilsonart.com The trend that inspires the seven smooth and subdued designs that make up the new collection is Heritage, the visual representation of celebrating our roots, with a touch of modern. Heritage is a combination of: Industrial Chic – This trend is expressed most often through exposed ductwork and pipes, original windows and brick. Metal, concrete, brick and glass are many of the surface choices.

Rustic Glam – This playful juxtaposition of distressed surfaces and glittery details is a layering of elements and influences that are distinctly modern.

What’s Old is New Again – Not only are iconic pieces being reissued in new ways, but many salvaged materials are being reused, allowing for the reintroduction of classic designs in strikingly 21st century interpretations.

tafisa

alto

crystalite

origen

isola

®

texture by tafisa® Featuring ORIGEN, ISOLA, ALTO and CRYSTALITE. An ensemble of textures and stunningly tactile surfaces for decorative panels.

Available in a broad selection of mix and match colours, these textures are yet another design innovation from Tafisa® – the company that leads the way in fashion-forward interiors, touching off world-class trends right here in North America. And raising industry standards too. Tafisa’s wood-fiber panels are manufactured using 100% recycled and recovered wood materials, saving millions of trees every year. Now that’s making a statement.

Find out about Tafisa’s green mission and see all textures at tafisa.ca Customer Service: 1.888.882.3472

®

For More Information:

EuroVinylPlus.com

Pricing

Competitive prices

Inventory

Over 80 designs available in stock

Quality

High quality PVC foils

Euro Vinyl Plus

13199 NW 107 Ave. Hialeah Gardens, FL 33018

Telephone: 305-362-9900

EVP@eurovinylplus.com

« Lamigraf www.lamigraf.com/intro.php Embossing in-register (EIR) designs are a major trend nowadays, although Lamigraf has been developing EIR designs for more than 15 years and was the Décor Printer who devised the Synchrowood process, presented to the market in 2007, with worldwide process patented and registered as trademark in 2008.

A Complete Program of Decorative Building Solutions.

Door Mouldings • Accessory Mouldings • Laminates • Edgebanding • Drawer Sides

www.olon.com

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Inpro

«

By means of Synchro-wood®, manufacturers are able to produce various wood decorative designs using a single press-plate with a pore structure matching this group of decors. It has proved to be an ideal solution, enabling producers to offer decorative designs with optical and tactile characteristics of equally high quality with a cost-saving valued added.

www.inprocorp.com Palladium® Square Edge Wall Panel System Building interiors take a lot of abuse; it is a difficult balance to design them with materials that give both the desired look and needed protection. Palladium® Wall Panels were obsessively engineered with edge-protectant technology and a Class A Fire Rating to bring lasting beauty to even the harshest environments. The System features: Wall Panels, Top Caps, Inside/Outside Corner Trim Pieces, Divider Bar, and optional Fabric Panels and White Board Panels. Faux-wood Panels are available in select standard colors and all Woodland and Element patterns.

JB Cutting

«

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www.jbcutting.com Integrate 3DL seamlessly into any design project. JB Cutting, Inc. is a full service manufacturer of three-dimensional laminate (thermofoil) components. The company specializes in made-to-order finished MDF-core components that are complimentary to store fixtures, healthcare furnishing environments, residential kitchen and bath, and custom closet systems. JB Cutting is primarily a wood fabricating operation with CNC, edge banding, thermoforming and panel processing capability. JBC recently added miter folding capabilities, allowing the creation of seamless edges and increasing the strength and beauty of many projects. New for 2014/2015: Complex Solids Color Series.

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Surteco North America » www.surteco.com/index.php/eng Complete design and surface solutions, productive international cooperation and dynamic development of decors. These are some of the exciting new trends at Surteco North America!

With a vast range of surfacing options, the company offers synchronized design and production of all surface laminates for panel based furniture – from surface décor papers and foils to edge treatments. For furniture and flooring customers, new design libraries for 2015 are currently being launched.

And by unifying the design resources of the entire Surteco Group – Europe and North America – customers will benefit by having designs from four sources at their fingertips!

« Olon www.olon.ca Olon recently added two new surface finishes – Vista and Rivera – to their NEXGEN™ Laminate offering. Now with over 200 color and texture matches to North American TFL, Olon’s design portfolio is second-to-none.

Olon’s NEXGEN™ 5 piece door mouldings are available in over 70 profile styles with a full selection of matching co-products including: accessory mouldings, edgebanding and LINK25 – a resurfacing laminate.

NEXGEN™ laminates are specially engineered to be stain, fade, heat and scratch resistant. They offer durability, anti-microbial protection and color consistency that allows for future project updates or door replacements that will always perfectly match.

Introducing

Silky Finish Supermatte

SOFT FEEL Lamitech

«

Smooth as baby's skin.

Ask for available colors.

www.Lamitech.com.co Lamitech’s latest collection includes six woodgrains, ranging from the natural and timeless to the latest rustic chic trend, with warm reclaimed woods and three-dimensional textures that show the great imperfection of nature where knots, cathedrals and a distressed look stand out to become main characters. Designs focused on the richness of the materials.

RIKEN USA CORPORATION 26200 Town Center Drive, Suite #135, Novi, MI 48375 Tel: 248.513.3511 | Fax: 248.513.3510 info@riken-usa.com | www.riken-usa.com

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Seven solid colors, an eclectic design, one new concrete and three new expressive finishes that convey feelings of liveliness and naturalness to our designs. Lamitech opens a space where the visual and tactile senses get freely combined, creating a very rich and harmonic game.

Drawer Fronts Solid Wood Veneered Rigid Thermofoil Acrylic

« Riken www.riken.jp/en Riken provides high-quality 3D Laminates (thermofoil) for both residential and commercial interior applications such as kitchen cabinet & closet doors, store fixtures, and office furniture. The 3D Laminate Collection offers extensive colors and patterns including wood grains in high gloss, satin, and matte finishes. This fall, the new SUPERMATTE Collection was introduced to the market with 4 colors. It is silky and smooth, yet provides superior stain and scratch resistance.

Flakeboard TFL from ARAUCO » www.arauco-na.com The Worn Oak Series adds a vintage look to the Flakeboard TFL Design Collection.

Born from a growing interest in repurposed wood, the new Worn Oak Series creates an antiquated look, answering the latest vintage-design trends. This series, in three very distinct colors, looks both reclaimed and refined. The natural characteristics of the wood are highlighted when combined with the Medina or Sawcut texture – it’s a great choice for commercial and residential applications.

Also filling out the new Accentz Series: Charcoal, Storm and Fudge, developed as design accents but certainly viable on their own, this is a neutral palette of solid colors that complements many woodgrain designs.

ATI Decorative Laminates

«

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

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S u r f ac e D e s i g n G u i d e

www.atilaminates.com

Quality Committed, Timely Delivered, Environmentally Driven

1-800-665-0623

sales@eliaswoodwork.com www.eliaswoodwork.com

ATI Decorative Laminates submits their newest MirroFlex Patterns (left to right): Tetrus, Morocco, Herringbone and Marquis.

These modern, three-dimensional patterns join the company’s most enduring product line. The decorative, thermoplastic panels have high-impact, chemical, abrasion, stain and fire-resistant properties. Available as panels, wainscoting or backsplashes.

Success doesn’t come by chance Trend expertise Schattdecor`s trend expertise is no fairy tale. Stories told about our trend themes fascinate the experts of tomorrow.

We make decors successful.

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« Dackor www.dackor.com

Stevens Industries

«

Dackor 3D Laminates recently introduced “Rock Concrete” as a new U.S. stock design. The company continues to push the limits of what’s possible in 3D laminates. With an offering of over 150 designs in stock at our Orlando, Fla. location, Dackor is a “go to” solution for U.S. customers who demand greater variety of in-stock 3D laminate designs and textures.

www.stevens-wood.com The Legno Collection from StevensWood offers true wood patterns characteristic of wood species, Tokaj Alder and Walnut Tiepolo.

Intricately synchronized texture matched to grain, with a varied color palette in each species, enables Legno panel products to perfectly fit any design need. Innovative technology, coupled with the latest wood trends for furniture, wall systems and accents, presents cutting-edge choices for the design community. Designers have flexibility to create the look and feel from contemporary rustics to sleekly-modern layouts. Standard 100% recycled core-material, at budget-friendly price points. Made in the U.S.A.

«

Holz In Form

www.vd-holzinform.de

Leading Manufacturer of Custom Aluminum Frame Doors • Cabinet Doors • Drawer Fronts • Sliding Doors • Ten Profiles • Six Profile Finishes • Over Fifty Insert Standard Options • Custom Backpainted Glass Inserts Available

Born of the tradition of age-old craftsmanship, “Spalt” takes structure to the next generation in an extraordinary way. The superb precision of the structure and the depth of the surface lend it a sculptural presence that is truly unique. The interplay of light and shadow along with the refined texture of the surface emphasize this effect and impart an unrivalled authenticity to the structure. A top layer comprised of 9-ply veneer above a multilayered core creates an exceptionally authentic material.

The standard panel is perfect for wall cladding or furniture frontals. It can easily be used to create fiddleback patterns, which further enhance his effect. The panel structure is available in seven real wood veneer finishes.

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« Synergy Thermal Foils www.synergythermofoils.com Synergy Thermal Foils’ main goal is to continue the very successful “Florida” model of making vinyl films to match the TFL designs stocked by distributors. All of STF’s stock colors have a matching TFL, which typically means that matching HPL and edgebanding are also available.

The focus remains the same, creating matches across materials for easy design and specification.

Roseburg » www.roseburg.com With a collection of the most specified designs and colors in the industry, Roseburg has recently expanded its already substantial production capacities to better serve the market. From production facilities and forests positioned nationally, the Duramine® line of TFL products can be specified with the confidence that they will be available at your local supplier.

The ESP Best Sellers Collection starts with white & black and contains a total of 8 colors, 22 versatile wood grains, has 3 texture and 4 core options. For more customized projects, Roseburg’s Synergy Partners Collection contains hundreds of designs (special order).

Distinctive Designs

15015 Smoke Acrylic

9017 Fisherman’s Wharf Textured 3DL

exotic veneer | high gloss acrylic | textured tfl and 3dl | transitional wood shakers | supermatte 3dl thermofoil

Yo u r s o u r ce fo r ins p ir e d co m p o ne n t s 866-344-8132 | www.northerncontours.com

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Renolit » www.renolit.com/corporate/en

Two Great Assets for Your Finishing Room: Easy | Axis Foot-rotated turntable for applying finishes.

HDPE Construction cleans-up easily from any type of finish residue.

Two easily interchangeable support plates with either non-slip pads or elevation pins.

Dura | Rack A stable solution to store and transport both small and large freshly finished parts.

The heavy texture of Ocean Drive eliminates the need for routing MDF boards, saving time and energy as well as opening new design pathways for furniture, store fixtures, and wall panels.

The felt backing enables it to be used with various bonding systems.

Móz » www.mozdesigns.com The Móz Designs Engravings Collection of metal surfacing materials now features a wide array of etched patterns and earthtoned colors.

Patterns are engraved directly into the surface of Móz solid core aluminum, creating a multi-dimensional effect. Themes include tech-inspired Circuit, Cubes, Current, Dash, Mason, Matrix, Crossroads and Strings.

A wide choice of Móz grains provides a background texture, such as Linen, Clouds, Ripples and more. Colors that coordinate with an installation’s design narrative are then applied.

Engravings can be utilized in interior or exterior installations, including walls, door skins, bar dies, reception centers, column covers and other decorative surfaces.

Formica

«

finish well!

RENOLIT WOODSTOCK DESIGN Ocean Drive is a decorative surface for interior use and is now available at American RENOLIT. It is a Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) coated with a polyolefin-based film and is available in White, Black, and Paintable White.

Heavy-duty powder-coated steel frame with solid aluminum support rods.

www.formica.com/en/us/products/ solid-surfacing As tough as it is beautiful, Formica® Solid Surface shapes itself to virtually any design concept, offering a palette of modern colors for any space. Simplistic, stylish and clean, the Blanco Terrazzo pattern is the perfect selection for kitchens, desktops, reception desks … the possibilities are endless.

Replaceable paper tubes keep your product clean.

«

Senosan

www.senosan.com/en Senosan AM1800TopX multi-layer sheet of ABS and PMMA, the first coated, high scratch-resistant, high-gloss acrylic in the furniture industry is a success, and Senosan keeps bringing innovations to the market.

SmartechOnline.com 704 362 1922

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A new Senosan AM1800TopX 2mm thick material will be available in North America starting in 2015. This product will provide a unique depth comparable to glass, but will keep the furniture surface properties (easy to machine, edge-band, etc.). First available will be white and beige, with new colors being incorporated throughout the year.

bianco terrazzo

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«

Greenlam

metal / wood / laminate

www.greenlam.com Greenlam UNICORE opens up a world of thorough-color laminates discarding dark edges. Specifically crafted for interior design projects and furniture, UNICORE is the result of an undying passion for craft, technology and art. These laminates are perfect for edging out a uniform and seamless finish. Made with only decorative paper, UNICORE – available in solid colors, suede and glossy finishes – enhances the décor aesthetic. The material is a great specification for cabinets, residential and commercial countertops, shelves, doors, exhibits, signage, high-end furniture and more.

«

Schattdecor

www.schattdecor.de/en The idea of living naturally seems to resonate with more and more people these days. Shopping organically, participating in the raw food movement, or living Wabi Sabi have become basic instincts. People are eliminating the unnecessary and utilizing what is absolutely vital – The Raw Essentials.

photo: gerardo somoza

Colors found in nature provide a simple aesthetic that seem to be a fundamental part of design these days. Schattdecor Designer, Mark Smith, has a new palette of woodgrain colors that takes inspiration from the inherent colors of nature, The Raw Essentials – stones, grains, succulents, eggs, etc. s&p

A massive collection of design materials.

Here: InteriorArts #2005 Cracked Cement as floors and walls at Fashion Week.

To see them all, start at chemetal.com.

surface&panel

Q4 2014

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©istock.com/inhauscreative

f rom

the

editor

Great Possibilities Advanced manufacturing engineer Jame Earle recently said to me, ”What is great about young engineers is that they do not yet know what is impossible. So they do not create and solve to preconceived limits.” Earle works with Local Motors (page 28), a company dedicated to using digital technology and micro-factories to bring new vehicle designs to market more quickly, inexpensively and efficiently. I can see why this is particularly relevant in the automotive industry, where the technologies have advanced, but the process theory still takes its cues from Henry Ford. Even the

“What is great about young engineers is that they do not yet know what is impossible.”

Toyota Way is dedicated to flexible mass production. The paradigm shift Local Motors is suggesting is flexible design and production at any scale. With modern materials, sophisticated software and precise equipment, this is already beginning to happen in small operations (see story page 40), and there are interesting implications even within major manufacturing.

For the most part, I love Earle’s statement. In producing Surface & Panel I get to talk to luminaries (of all ages) at all levels of material innovation (stories pages 50, 34 and 36), market analysis (page 12), equipment and process engineering. Anyone actively engaged in the industry is well aware that it is driven by integrated technologies. Through the magic of digital, we are able to distill the preferences of large groups of people into concepts, turn those concepts into designs, translate those designs into instructions and produce end products faster and with more precision than ever before (page 6). It is a new iteration of craftsmanship that amplifies existing equipment and traditional skills. The only thing that is impossible is ignoring the potential.

Brent East of Thermwood makes a great point in the story about the production of the first 3D-printed car (page 28), which includes mainstream CNC processes. “Sometimes people don’t realize that their machines and software are capable of other applications. They do what they are used to doing despite the fact that most of the market is growing through differentiation. It is not enough that the technology is advancing. We also have to have the philosophical and intellectual advancements to apply it.” This theme recurs in the story about TANKED (page 48).

I recently read a little Jack Welch. One of his main tenets is to focus on the future. That resonates with me. Innovating by looking backwards is like planning to be obsolete. I hope this issue is thought provoking. That it inspires readers – specifiers, fabricators and suppliers – to envision future success, optimize existing resources and proactively pursue elegant new solutions.

As always, huge gratitude to every one who helped make this issue possible. Here’s to a happy, healthy and wildly successful 2015 all around.

Cheers!

Suzanne VanGilder | Editorial Director | svangilder@surfaceandpanel.com 72

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Architec ts & De signers...

Build Your Knowledge with Tools and Materials from the Composite Panel Association

G r ow i n g . . .

Continuing Education at your fingertips...

3D Laminate Surfaces: New Dimensions of Quality, Sustainability and Design

I s

TFL Makes Environmentally Friendly Decorative Panels Affordable, Attractive and Easy

Li b r a ry

The Science of Sustainability: How Composite Wood Panels Measure Up

T u n e d. . .O u r

Light Basis Weight Paper Laminates: High Fidelity, Cost-Effective Design Solutions

3D Laminates: Versatile Surfacing

Material for Today’s Environments

. . . S tay

Decorative Foils Give Weight to Cost-Effective Surface Design The Evolution of Sustainable, Cost-Effective Decorative Surface Materials

Courses Available Online at www.DecorativeSurfaces.org composite panel association

| 866-4Composites

| www.DecorativeSurfaces.org

a d v e r t i s e r

i n d e x

Page

Page

Abet Laminati 51 800.228.2238 www.abetlaminati.com

Laminati 32 877.863.7908 www.laminati-usa.com

American Laminates 65 800.800.2536 www.americanlaminates.com

Lamitech S.A. 59 +571.644.9888 www.lamitech.com.co

Blum, Inc. 704.827.1345 75 (IBC) Perfecting motion www.blum.com

Boise Cascade 5 888.264.7372 www.bc.com Cabinotch 18-19 877.413.4299 www.cabinotch.us/CabinotchDesignLibrary

Chemcraft, a brand of AkzoNobel 39 336.841.5111 www.chemcraft.com Chemetal 71 800.807.7341 www.ialaminates.com

Composite Panel Association 73 866.4Composites www.DecorativeSurfaces.org

Darlington Veneer Co. 46 800.845.2388 www.darlingtonveneer.com Decotone 11/57 908.301.0600 www.decotonesurfaces.com Element Designs 68 877.332.3396 www.element-designs.com Elias Woodworking 66 800.665.0623 www.eliaswoodwork.com

Northern Contours 69 866.344.8132 www.northerncontours.com Olon 62 905.877.7300 www.olon.com Omnova Solutions 53 866.332.5226 www.omnova.com

Panel Processing 24 800.433.7142 www.panel.com Panolam 76 (BC) 877.726.6526 www.panolam.com

Pembroke MDF 27 844.722.3939 www.pembrokemdf.com Renolit 56 +1.973.706.6912 www.renolit.com Riken USA Corporation 64 248.513.3511 www.riken-usa.com Roseburg 23 800.245.1115 www.Roseburg.com Salice 15 800.222.9652 www.saliceamerica.com

Euro Vinyl Plus 61 305.362.9900 www.EuroVinylPlus.com

Schattdecor 67 314.400.6100 www.schattdecor.com

Flakeboard Can 800.268.9830 US 877.273.7680 43 www.flakeboard.com

SierraPine Composite Solutions 25 800.676.3339 www.sierrapine.com

Forrest 30 800.733.7111 www.ForrestBlades.com

Smartech 70 704.362.1922 www.SmartechOnline.com

Greenlam America Inc. 55 877.647.0388 www.greenlam.com Hunstman 33 281.719.4916 www.huntsman.com Interprint, Inc. 2 (IFC) 413.443.4733 www.interprint.us Jowat 41 336.434.9000 www.jowat.com

KCD Software 18-19 508.760.1140 www.KCDsoftware.com/cabinotch

Kings Mountain International 47 704.739.4227 www.kmiinc.net

KML-Kustom Material Laminates 13 888.358.5075 www.KMLcorp.com

Krono System 45 +39.0422.850418 www.kronosystemsrl.it 74

Momentive 17 888.443.9466 www.momentive.com

www.surfaceandpanel.com

Stevens Industries 21 800.574.7838 www.designartsurfaces.com

Stiles Machinery, Inc. 9/37 616.698.7500 www.stilesmachinery.com

Surface Source International 54 973.598.0152 www.ssinorthamerica.com

Synergy Thermal Foils 58 954.420.9553 www.SynergyThermofoils.com

Tafisa Canada 60 877.882.3472 www.tafisa.ca Thermwood 31 800.533.6901 www.thermwood.com Uniboard 63 800.263.5240 www.uniboard.com Union Tool Corporation 16 574.267.3211 www.uniontoolcorp.com

West Fraser Sales Ltd. 29 250.992.9254 www.westfraser.com

More space in the same place.

Make the most of any space with LEGRABOX, the new full extension box system from Blum. With an ultra slim proďŹ le of only 1/2" and a perfectly square interior, you can offer storage and access that seem almost impossible. Look for LEGRABOX and see the other ways Blum is perfecting motion at www.blum.com.

blum.com

Perfecting motion

WHAT IF A SURFACE COULD

make a first impression?

Bringing more to the surface More Colorways | More Finishes | More Options You’ve selected that perfect color and your project requires that same color in multiple surfacing applications. Who do you call?

Panolam Surface Systems.

Panolam’s unique technologies provide a system of solutions allowing that perfect color to be used in multiple surfacing materials. Our surface materials work together to coordinate the look you envision, with the performance characteristic the space requires and the ability to stay within budget.

To bring more to the surface, call 877.726.6526 or visit panolam.com.

Panolam Industries International, Inc. | 20 Progress Drive, Shelton, CT 06484 | 1.877.726.6526 | www.panolam.com