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Heinz Fritz: Material Innovation for Transparent Sheets

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Plastics processing company Heinz Fritz Kunststoffverarbeitung of Herbrechtingen, Germany, has introduced two products that are set to change the material choice and design options for trade shows, exhibitions and permanent displays as well as for counters in shops and transport terminals.

The two product ranges, Transsatco and Transquieto have both been developed using Heinz Fritz proprietary technology in order to meet both the demand for high aesthetics and design freedom in combination with performance characteristics and fire classification B1. The basis for both product ranges is sheet made from Spectar copolyester, made by Eastman Specialty Plastics.

Transsatco represents a series of transparent sheet products with a matt finish – available in a choice of colours as well as uncoloured. The range was developed to offer designers an alternative to PMMA (PolyMethylMethAcrylate or Acrylic) – with the necessary fire classification to make it suitable for exhibitions and public buildings.

According to Heinz Fritz, the company’s owner, Transsatco, which is available in a range of thicknesses, can be used in applications where currently only wood, metal and glass meet the necessary criteria: He says, “The Transsatco range can help to produce stunning displays, using colour, transparency and light to great effect. These lightweight panels can be glued like PMMA – however, in use they are more robust and durable.”

Transquieto, which also has the same fire classification, is a range of transparent sheets in various thicknesses and colours, designed to dampen sound. This is achieved by a patented process of creating many tiny holes (ranging from 0.5 mm – 2 mm) in the surface – as many as 40 per sq m - resulting in a high degree of sound absorption.

Says Mr Fritz: “We invested in this technology, because we believe that there are many uses for this particular product range. We see a huge potential with many possible areas of application, from busy offices to noisy transport terminals – in fact anywhere in the world where people and machines are active.”

Heinz Fritz Kunststoffverarbeitung has its own design and production departments and the company already has a number of applications throughout Europe. Alternatively, the Transsatco and Transquieto ranges are available as flat panels for customers who want to create their own designs.

Both ranges have excellent secondary fabrication characteristics. The lightweight sheets are incredibly strong and have no need for complex, or expensive frameworks or supporting structures. As with all sheet made from Spectar copolyester, both Transsatco and Transquieto are easy to fabricate allowing greater design freedom. They can be thermoformed without the need to pre- dry the sheet. They can be cut with saw-blades, routed, drilled, die-punched, glued or joined by screws or bolts. Screen-printing, painting and hot-stamping is possible too.
 

 

Management of Dynamic Façades (MDF) Somfy

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BUILDING façades are like skins. Through them, many exchanges occur between the outside and the inside. By reacting in real-time to variations in the weather (sun, cold, wind and rain), motorised and automated sun-shading make these exchanges ‘smarter’, more energy-  efficient, better looking and keep them in sync with the natural environment.

The three main benefits of the Management of Dynamic Facades (MDF) Somfy are the following: (1) Visual comfort is a major concern in office layouts – and increasingly regulated by law. MDF Somfy makes lighting conditions more comfortable and healthy, thus leading to a boost in productivity; (2) MDF Somfy controls heat exchanges between the façade and the outside world in real-time to improve living and work-place comfort in all kinds of weather; (3) Somfy motors and automated sun-shading systems actively contribute to energy savings. Automated façade with controlled heat exchanges contribute significantly, and to an increasingly greater extent to lower power consumption of heating, lighting and air-conditioning systems, and to lower investments in HVAC equipment capacities because there are fewer temperature peaks.

 

Basically, MDF results in innovative, automated sun-shading and window control solutions which include the animeo IB+ package ideal for medium-size office and commercial buildings and new ‘io’ concept houses.

 

Aluminium Systems for Facades and Skylights

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SCHÜCO’S expertise is in system construction is matched by its dedication to delivering new products featuring technical innovations and a flawless combination of materials and design, Schüco products have a range of uses that provide plenty of scope for creativity.

 The new insert units for aluminium façades – the Royal S 102 PAF parallel opening window and the Royal S 102 SK projected top hung window – open up new design possibilities for structural glazing and maximise natural ventilation with their large sections and opening angles. Narrow, all-round silicon shadow joints accentuate the structural glazing of the façade.

 

With e-drive, the mechatronic window fittings system, Schüco is taking a step further into the future of window and façade technology; moving away from central air conditioning and towards more individually regulated comfort.

 

Soudal Panel System

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THE Soudal Panel System produced by Soudal Asia Pte Ltd is an efficient and sophisticated system for the permanent bonding of interior and exterior façade panels and roof edges.

It can also be applied for other interior renovation and building projects.

 

 

 

 

The Soudal Panel System consists of:

• Elastical adhesive/sealant         SPS Power Adhesive

• Primer for Wood                       SPS Wood Primer

• Cleaner                                    SPS Cleaner

• SPS Activator                           SPS Activator

• Double sided bonding tape         SPS Bonding Tape

 

Fixing wall panels with this adhesive system negates the possibility of visible screws or holes and there is less dirt pickup. It is also a safe system, which has a longer life span and higher mechanical strength.

 

SPS Wood Primer & Activator used in carrying Frame Construction

Soudal Panel System can be applied on both wooden and aluminium carrying frame constructions. The preparation is as follows:

 

Wood:

The smoothened wooden lathes need to be of at least B-quality. They must be clean, dry and have low moisture content. The lathes are initially treated with SPS Wood Primer. They must be left to dry for an hour after applying a thin covering layer and the panels have to be bonded within a day after the Primer has dried.

 

Aluminium:

The aluminium carrying frame construction must be cleaned and degreased with SPS Activator. This surface does not need any further priming. The bonding can start after complete evaporation of the SPS Activator, which has a drying time of 5 minutes.

 

SPS Wood Primer & Activator used in Facade Panels

Melanine panels and aluminium panels: The SPS Activator must be always be applied to the surfaces after they are thoroughly cleaned. It cleans, degreases and activates the surfaces of the panels to improve bonding strength of the adhesive/sealant.

 

Cementitious panels:

The surfaces of porous panels such as wooden or concrete panels must not be cleaned, but priming is required with SPS Wood Primer. The panels have to be bonded within a day after the Primer has dried.

 

SPS Bonding Tape

The SPS Bonding Tape is a double-sided bonding tape with high adhesive strength and is easy to apply manually or with a pneumatic gun. It ensures the initial fixing of the façade panel during the period the sealant/adhesive achieves its full cure. Due to its thickness, the SPS Bonding Tape ensures the correct and permanent adhesive thickness of 3mm. The SPS Bonding Tape is placed onto the vertical parts of the lathes of the carrying frame construction, after the primer is dry.

 

SPS Power Adhesive

The SPS Power Adhesive is used for bonding all types of façade panels, which can be applied either manually or with a pneumatic gun. It has high adhesive strength and remains fully elastic for a longer time span. Furthermore, it can withstand various weather conditions

 

SPS used in Advertising Panels

The SPS system and technique was used successfully in a Dutch project for bonding advertising panels made of aluminium.

The panels are bonded to the lattice but the advertising panel is not protected against wind and and precipitation. SPS Power Adhesive was used for bonding and the aluminium plates and frames were prepared with SPS Activator.

 

Exterior Sun Control Devices used in a project

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From dynamic climate control facades to ornate static systems, ASCA, Inc. offers an infinite assortment of sun shading systems and component compositions. No longer limited to museums and galleries, intelligent heat and light control is now afforded to every designer and their specific project needs. Fixed systems may be designed to shade entire or partial areas for critical times of day or seasons in the year. Operating systems may be energized through simplistic manual operation to a variety of automated software and hardware systems.

While having an established functionality to reduce heat gain upwards to 80%, ASCA architectural sun control systems provide a striking architectural and individual statement.

ASCA’s proven reflexive versatility of component and manufacturing techniques provide a constant variety of design possibilities, limited only by the inquiring imagination and engineering criteria.
 

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