MORE INFORMATION
CASE STUDY
Arches
Sun Lounger
FABRICATION TECHNIQUES
Frameless
Double Skin
Frame Supported
TECHNICAL INFO
Specifications &
Technical Data
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Using the frameless technique Neatflex Bendy Ply helps Island Stone to show its contours at 100% Design Exhibition.
Brandon Neuhaus, Director of Island Stone sought Neat Concepts’ expertise on bendable materials when he needed a strong curved surface on to which he could bond his mesh backed pebble tiles for the 100% Design exhibition. Neat Concepts constructed three arches using Neatflex, their versatile 19mm thick bendable substrate. |
The three arches faced
with the flexible stone cladding.
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The arches had to be strong enough to support the pebble tiles and tall enough for visitors to walk under them. They were 3,275mm long, 600mm wide with a 1,940mm radius.
Closer view. The Neatflex
panels laminated together are just visible.
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Neat Concepts constructed a former made from MDF to the correct radius of curvature. The arches were built up in stages using two layers of Neatflex and an intervening layer of paper to enlarge the area of adhesive spread, and increase the strength of the arch.
At each stage, every constituent part of the arch had PVA adhesive applied by roller to the mating surfaces and was clamped in place until the adhesive had cured. This step-by-step approach was essential for constructing such a large fabrication. Care was taken at the design stage to ensure that every sheet of Neatflex overlapped by at least 300mm, as in a course of bricks, to avoid any weakness in the construction caused by joints being too close.
Island Stone can be found at www.islandstone.co.uk |
The
overlap is shown here. In this construction joins were
at least 300mm apart.
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Plenty of clamps and batons
to press the layers together until the adhesive cures.
With a large curve the assembly can only be done in small
sections. |
Here
the construction of the former can be appreciated. The
semicircular sheets of MDF with a radius of 1940mm are
topped off with a layer of Neatflex which is wider than
the separation of the two semicircles, to leave room
for the clamps. The arch is being built up gradually
with good overlaps where sheets must be abutted.
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The strength
test! |
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