We all know solid surface is both durable and repairable. Do we know what this man-made surfacing material is made of? Solid surface was invented in 1967 and patented in 1968 by DuPont. They formally introduced the Corian® brand to the public in 1971 at a trade show in Houston. It was first promoted as a kitchen and bath countertop material. Solid surface is made of a blend of acrylic, epoxy or polyester resins and alumina trihydrate (ATH). This mixture is poured onto a moving belt and cured in an oven. Both pigment and aggregate add-ins can be mixed into the sheet to create an infinite variety of color and textural effects.
With the expiration of DuPont’s patent, a plethora of new manufacturers have introduced competing brands. This has pushed the evolution of solid surface beyond countertops to more vertical and complex architectural applications. All solid surfaces are cast polymers. Some utilize special formulations to create enhanced transparency or artistic effects to differentiate their products in the marketplace. Brand confusion has many design professionals being uncertain of performance characteristics for various brands in the marketplace. This uncertainty can reduce innovation and expansion into additional architectural applications.
In response, ASST has primarily focused on propelling fabrication technology. We believe providing design professionals with unbiased valuable case study information regarding our experiences to be valuable to the design community. We work in concert with ALL brands to provide fabrication solutions to assist with project challenges other fabricators avoid.
First impressions always count! Be sure to call us for your next solid surface project! Whatever you need, ASST can build it to your exact specifications, in a safe manner, and to the quality standards you expect. Contact us now online or call us at 717-630-1251.
Durability and beauty are unlikely partners. It is rare when both are exclusive when specifying vertical surfaces. Even rarer still is the challenge for design professionals to use solid surface textures in a variety of vertical applications. From elevator cab interiors to wall protection, finding unique surfacing solutions can be a challenge. Many of these wall finishes are designed for residential use only and will not perform well in commercial spaces. With solid surface the design opportunities are endless.
Public spaces demand durable surfaces. High performance surfaces should not be plain or unattractive. They should perform beautifully. Many vertical surfacing solutions in the marketplace today are focused only on aesthetics. Performance is usually an afterthought. Few surfacing products today combine both aesthetics and durability in one vertical solution. Solid surface can be thermoformed with textured patterns and CNC machined in a variety of custom patterns. Painted MDF or molded plaster can not offer the same value.
In response, ASST created SCULPTCOR ® textured wall surfaces to provide an attractive durable solution unlike anything on the market today. Manufactured with 100% solid surface acrylic, this is an antibacterial wall cladding that is made to last. ASST’s proprietary mounting system allows for field adjustment and individual panel removal for maintenance. It is ASST’s legacy to continue assisting design professionals with project challenges other fabricators avoid. Be sure to contact us with your next solid surface project!
First impressions always count! Be sure to call us for your next SCULPTCOR® project! Whatever you need, ASST can build it to your exact specifications, in a safe manner, and to the quality standards you expect. Contact us now online or call us at 717-630-1251.
Solid surface thermoforming technologies allow for a myriad of complex forms to be created such as a topographic map. The linchpin to creating extreme contours is 5 axis CNC machining. 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks ® can be utilized to model practically any surface texture. Designers are continuing to push the boundaries with innovative surfaces that enhance interior architectural space.
Many times design professionals submit drawings for bid to General Contractors without specifying an appropriate wall cladding product in the architectural specification. Designers run the risk of installing contoured vertical wall surfaces made from molded gypsum plaster or thin plastic. The costs required for maintenance of these ineffective wall cladding systems required an entire new approach.
In response, we focused our business around thermoforming from the beginning. ASST has created a truly “niche” business, catering to advanced fabrication solutions for commercial construction. We created SCULPTCOR ® textured wall cladding to provide a durable solution unlike anything on the market today. Manufactured with 100% solid surface acrylic, this is an anti-bacterial wall cladding that is made to last. ASST’s proprietary mounting system allows for field adjustment and individual panel removal for maintenance. It is ASST’s legacy to continue assisting design professionals with thermoforming project challenges other fabricators avoid. Be sure to contact us with your next solid surface project!
First impressions always count! Be sure to call us for your next SCULPTCOR project! Whatever you need, ASST can build it to your exact specifications, in a safe manner, and to the quality standards you expect. Contact us now online or call us at 717-630-1251.
Specifying a reliable resource for healthcare casework is of prime importance. With everyone in the construction industry being stretched, specifying the right casework system that adheres to project specifications is critical. From sustainable construction and solid surface materials to acquiring LEED points, the pressure is on to specify the right choice for end users.
It is difficult to sort through the variety of options for healthcare casework brands in the marketplace today. Few manufacturers provide the transparency to allow an “apples to apples” comparison of product. This creates confusion in the marketplace and presents challenges to specifiers and contractors who want to recommend the right product for an end user. This market confusion has necessitated the creation of extensive casework mockup evaluations for projects adding additional time for evaluating potential casework product.
To minimize the above issues and provide a more comprehensive solution, ASST has now partnered with TMI Systems as a dealer for their line of healthcare casework. Based in North Dakota, TMI is a leader in high quality laminate modular casework fabrication. Their sustainable modular casework products feature railmounted overhead cabinets and forward-thinking reconfigurable base cabinets. With Autodesk 3D BIM software, design professionals are able to thoroughly document planning decisions in drawings used in the approval process. With cutting edge computer 3D renderings, end users can understand the proposed designs even better. With the new ASST/TMI alliance, design professionals are providing solutions that can truly evolve with end user needs.
Let us assist you with your next healthcare casework project! Whatever you need, ASST can build it to your exact specifications, in a safe manner, and to the quality standards you expect. Contact us now online or call us at 717-630-1251.
This desk is being fabricated using a laminate base, Corian solid surface top, aluminum stand offs with 3Form decorative blinds.
At ASST we are Going Beyond the Surface Level.
