Book review: Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals

May 1, 2008  |  News

Reviewed by Jeremy Clark When I was an intern, I worked with an architect who started his career as a contractor. He used to shake his head at new designers coming out of school, who he claimed never had held a 2 x 4 in their hands. He firmly believed that one needed to understand … <div><a h…
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GEI certifies several popular fabrics

March 1, 2008  |  News

The Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) recently has certified several popular fabrics as low-emitting products. The Astrup Co.—a leading supplier of materials used in the manufacture of awnings, signs, tarpaulins, tents, indoor and outdoor furniture, and related products for commercial a…
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Sun to play major role in Stuttgart: R+T

March 1, 2008  |  News

Stuttgart: R+T, the world’s leading trade fair for rolling shutters, doors & gates and sun protection, has organized an “Architects’ Day” that will address the importance of sun protection in construction, complete with workshops that will allow attendees to exchange info…
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Call for entries—International Design Award

March 1, 2008  |  News

The Design Center Stuttgart, run by the state government of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is calling for entries for the international award, which this year has the theme Focus Green. Awards are given to manufacturers and designers for forward-looking, professional and excellent design work. Jud…
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Fabric created out of recycled soda pop bottles

March 1, 2008  |  News

Following the sustainability process called upcycling,” a U.S. textile manufacturer has created a fabric out of recycled soda pop bottles (PET plastic), and woven the resulting polymer (called EcoSpun) into Ecophab™. Ecophab accepts and water-based inks and is an eco-friendly, cost-effec…
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Material improves water storage capacity

March 1, 2008  |  News

Saxon Textile Research Institute has developed a material that improves water storage capacity. The mat consists of two nonwoven layers with flexible and perforated tube-shaped structures embedded within. SOURCE Saxon Textile Research Institute
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Insulated fabric improves thermal performance

March 1, 2008  |  News

Tensotherm™ is a new insulated fabric designed to improve the thermal performance of tensile structure roofing systems. The key to higher R-values in this innovative material is found in a translucent aerogel core called Nanogel, sandwiched between two layers of fabric membrane. Nanogel, a fea…
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Sandwich material resists high temperatures

March 1, 2008  |  News

Using technology developed for improving hot-air balloon efficiency called HeiDAS UH , German industrial pneumatic controls company Festo has created a high-temperature resistant sandwich material consisting of flexible polymer films. The laminate of polyimide film is reinforced by aramid filament y…
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Building component using tensioned textiles offers various benefits

March 1, 2008  |  News

This innovative building component uses tensioned textiles to control sound absorption, light transmission and color. The system is based on an aluminum frame with a concealed tensioning mechanism. Adjustable tension also allows installation of curved surfaces. SOURCE Soft Cells
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Room dividers act as acoustic barriers

March 1, 2008  |  News

Three dimensional weave fabrics add an extra quality to interior applications such as partitions. Karl Mayer (the German textile machine manufacturer), working with textile designer Judith Winterl, have created room dividers made from spacer fabrics that act as acoustic barriers. Made to order from …
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