Public seating in high traffic applications can
take quite a beating. Design
professionals are under increasing pressure from clients to provide seating
solutions that are both durable and comfortable. Many are unaware of the
flexibility solid surface provides to create seating that conforms
ergonomically. The inherent performance characteristics of thermoformed solid
surface materials provide an amazing opportunity to increase the longevity of
public seating.
Design professionals today are bombarded with a
plethora of furniture seating solutions.Unfortunately, many of these “seating systems” are poorly
manufactured with planned obsolescence. Constructed of cheaper plastics,
many of these systems fail soon after warranty expiration. This is hardly a
strategy for clients looking to be environmentally responsible. Design
professionals need to provide smart ergonomic seating solutions addressing both
performance and value. These challenges seem insurmountable when industry
standard public seating systems don’t fulfill your specified requirements.
ASST has the capability to help. With a state-of-the-art
thermoforming studio, we can create ergonomic seating to your exact design
specifications. We can share past solid surface project case studies to inspire
your creativity. Working in concert with your team, we provide design
assistance and credible information to present to your clients. Tailored
services to meet busy design professional’s needs are what we do!
Comments Off on Division 6 and 12 Single Source Subcontractors
Assembling diverse subcontractor resources for design projects can be a challenge for both Design Professionals and General Contractors. A reliable single subcontractor source that can coordinate a variety of specified finish materials for casework, solid surface and more under one contract is difficult to find.
Both Architects and Designers and General Contractors need to work in concert to eliminate overlapping trades and define a clear scope of work with a minimum number of qualified subcontractors. The end goal is specifying superior low-risk subcontractors that will combine the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) Division scopes and build Owner value. Anything less will contribute to project scope confusion, miscommunication and costly change orders.
To address this issue, ASST has found value in providing a more comprehensive solution. A “one-stop” casework/millwork custom solution incorporating a wide variety of finish materials. ASST can perform work with wood veneers, plastic laminate, stone, metal, glass as well as all brands of solid surface, quartz, and resin plastic materials. We believe the fit and finish of the final product is enhanced when building the internal framing structures ourselves. Our innovative team of estimators, planners and project managers collaborate and deliver project results in a way few competitors can.
ASST is uniquely positioned to fulfill all aspects of your project. Whatever you need, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards you expect. We look forward to Going Beyond to address your exciting project challenges. Contact us today at 717-630-1251 or visit our website at www.asst.com.
Comments Off on Commercial Construction Technology: Keeping Up With The Joneses
People have been constructing high-rise buildings for centuries. In the 16th century, mud brick buildings reached 30 meters in Shibam, Yemen. What technology enabled this amazing feat? Early high-rise buildings took years and even decades to complete. Today the average high-rise building (taller than 150 meters) takes approximately 3 years to complete. This is extraordinary considering what goes into constructing a building that is 45 stories tall and the commercial construction industry continues to pick up momentum. Timelines are so compressed, it seems that as soon as the thought has entered the owner’s mind, the building is occupied and the next project is beginning. One of the primary influences abbreviating the commercial construction timeline is technology.
Consider this scenario. Your IT department has devised a brilliant plan (or lack thereof) taking your business to the next level with Augmented Reality. “We will be on the leading edge of technology and this will identify us as the leader in commercial construction” they say.No one in your IT department has given any thought as to how it will help your business help your customers and in turn making your business more profitable. Everyone is walking around with VR headsets on, no one knows how to use this or why they are using it, the IT department does nothing but play video games and Michael from Accounting just fell down the stairs. So now you have invested an extensive amount of money, the IT guys are ordering Mountain Dew by the truck load and your experience modification rating (EMR or safety) is virtually off the charts. This is not a good method for embracing new technology in commercial construction. However, if you are an architectural firm that specializes in high-rise buildings, giving the owner a “virtual tour” of their new building can reduce their cost in many ways.
So now you know how you can help your customer with technology but will this make your business more profitable? Research, plan, research and plan. Questions need to be asked and answers need to be produced. Do your customers want this technology? Will this technology bring in more customers? How will you pay for this technology? How long before you will need to replace this technology? Who in the company will be using this technology? How much training is necessary? How will this enable you to bill more? Etcetera. Set goals. Everyone should understand that you are looking to deploy this technology for specific reasons (IE: assist your customer, be more profitable) and those reasons should be outlined. If you come to the realization that you cannot reach your goal with this solution, you can stop and reevaluate. Once you have answered these questions and set your goals, you can start testing. You should always test with a small group. As depicted earlier, starting off by just purchasing Augmented Reality for everyone in the company will probably not work. Get feedback. Ask the people using the technology what they think about this new technology. Getting buy-in from your end users will minimize resistance of the change using this new technology. Once your users are masters and proponents of the new technology, deploy in small doses. Get feedback from your customers and make changes as necessary.
This is not an exact play book for deploying new technology in commercial construction. The point is that just because the technology is available does not mean that it will improve your business. So, when your IT department tells you about the new fleet of drones that will be deployed at the next holiday party, give them some pause. Ask yourself, how will this help your customers and how will this make your company more profitable?
At ASST, we know that commercial construction technology is like the spice in cooking. The right amount at the right time will bring everyone to the table. ASST continuously evaluates the need for new technology and how we can better assist our customers. Let us assist you with your next commercial Casework, Millwork, Solid Surface and Quartz project. Contact us today at info@asst.com.
Comments Off on Extreme Solid Surface Thermoforming
Forming solid surface into complex
geometric forms is still a relatively new topic to many design professionals. With advancing computer technologies, the future looks
bright for those looking to push the boundaries of design with solid surface
materials.
Although thermoforming has existed for
years, advanced technologies to assist with fabrication have not. 5-axis CNC
machining is an essential tool used in creating the molds necessary for
thermoforming. Many fabrication businesses are focused on flat solid
surface countertops and/or quartz. They may only have a small oven or vacuum
table to form simple curves. The equipment costs and learning curve for
thermoforming are out of reach for many of these fabrication businesses.
To address this issue, we
focused our business from the beginning around thermoforming. ASST created a truly “niche” business, catering to advanced
projects requiring fabrication solutions for commercial construction. ASST
invested heavily in the necessary equipment and training required for
thermoforming. ASST’s headquarters includes both offices and fabrication
facilities, as well as a large thermoforming workshop. The workshop
features three thermoforming ovens and two vacuum tables, as well as a 360-ton
proprietary press and a vacuum press related to patented ASST technologies. It
also has three CNC machines: one 5-axis CNC machine and two 3-axis CNC machines
which allows us to reintroduce thermoformed parts to the 5-axis for final size
machining. For cutting parts, ASST also has a Schelling panel saw. The shop is
set up into typical “line work” areas for more common flat countertop fabrication
work and has various open workshop areas for custom projects. Custom projects
that frequently feature thermoformed solid surface parts. It is ASST’s
legacy to continue assisting design professionals with thermoforming project
challenges other fabricators avoid.
ASST is uniquely positioned to fulfill all aspects of your project. Whatever you need, ASST can build it to the exact specifications, in a safe manner and to the finest quality standards you expect. Our EMR safety rating is outstanding at .793! We look forward to Going Beyond to address your exciting project challenges. Contact us today at 717-630-121 or visit our website at www.asst.com
