See-Through Plastics Spotlight

High Diffusion Panel

Polygal Inc. produces Polymatte™ high diffusion panel for the architectural and commercial greenhouse markets. This unique panel provides 99% diffused light and 76% light transmission and is ideal for optimal plant growth. Plants exposed to direct light (no-diffusion) produce a majority of their food from the top leaves facing the sun. In the greenhouse market the sheet will provide diffused light to all leaves where all the leaves are able to photosynthesize resulting in healthier, fuller plant development. In the architectural market Polymatte can be used in place of Opal where high light diffusion is beneficial.

Polygal produces a line of sheets that provide a broad range of excellent solutions for uses such as skylights, roofing and covering buildings, swimming pools and glazing including the Stormguard Hurricane Protection System and the Mega-Lock Aluminum Glazing System specially designed for use in glazing 6 – 16 mm PC multiwall sheets.

For additional information, contact Nick Koszegi, Polygal, Inc., P.O. Box 410592, Charlotte, NC 28241, 800-527-0095, Fax: 704-588-7400, E-mail: sales@polygal. com, Web: www.polygal-northamerica.com.

Museum Grade in .177 Thickness

LuciteLux™ Museum Grade UV Max with ultraviolet protection that filters out 98 percent of harmful ultraviolet lighting is now available in a .177” thickness. Museum Grade UV Max meets demanding museum standards, is lightweight and allows for easy fabrication. The product offers excellent optical quality and clarity and superior craze resistance, is more impact resistant than glass, and is easy to clean.

“Distributors and fabricators will now be able to provide customers with a new measure of thickness and a new choice in protecting and showcasing art, artifacts and other displayed items,” says Sales Development Manager Jane Nash.

Museum Grade UV Max also is available in a .118 thickness.

For additional information, contact Jane Nash, Lucite International, 7275 Goodlet Farms Pkwy, Cordova, TN 38016, 800-4-LUCITE, E-mail: jane.nash@lucite.com, Web: www.lucite.com.

PETG Sheet

SIMONA® SIMOLUX, the transparent, break-proof copolyester sheet made of PETG, is a true all-around material. Combining high impact strength and excellent thermoforming properties with low flammability, SIMOLUX is the perfect material for a variety of applications. SIMONA® SIMOLUX is a low flammability product in accordance with DIN 4102 B1; it is available in a transparent, opal, satined or embossed design. SIMONA® SIMOLUX-F offers a special low flammability (DIN 4102 B1 – non-burning droplets).

The materials are ideal for a variety of uses including sales displays, illuminated signs exhibition design, ceiling panels, machine covers, orthopedics, engineering and design and more.

The sheet is extremely rugged, combining high impact strength with excellent resistance to chemicals. It is crystal clear for a sophisticated appearance and a brilliant surface. The sheets are dyeable and can be used to create special lighting effects – making it the perfect choice for interior design applications. The sheet is particularly easy to process and can be sawn, bolted, drilled, milled, laser cut, glued, formed polished, die-cut and welded. The sheets are suitable for deep-drawing and can generally be processed without the need for pre-drying.

For additional information, contact John Ploskonka, Simona America Inc., 64 N. Conahan Drive, Hazleton PA 18201, 866-501-2992, Fax: 800-522-4857, E-mail: mail@simonaamerica.com, Web: www.simonaamerica.com.

Cell Cast Acrylic Sheet

Polycast is the world’s largest supplier of specialty cell cast acrylic sheet, manufactured in the USA. They are an industry leading developer and manufacturer of acrylic cell cast sheet for niche applications in the military, aerospace, security glazing, medical and other specialty markets. They have earned a reputation for superior quality, reliability and customer service and continue to successfully serve the market through depth of stock and custom product.

Polycast can modify its acrylic sheet to change certain physical, chemical or optical properties to help meet your requirements, specifications or codes, including the introduction of sensitive dyes and other additives. They have an extensive color database and will cut sheet to your size requirements, saving you time and money. They can also achieve special tolerances for more critical applications.

Sheet products include: Aerospace Military Specification Grades, Bullet Resistant/Security Glazing, Special Light Filtration (UF96 - UV Filtering, Solacryl UV transmitting) and Special Performance Engineered sheet (Super Abrasion Resistant, crystal clear extra thick sheet - thicker than 4.500”), close tolerance (as thin as .020”), textured, preshrunk and FDA compliant.

For additional information, contact Angelo Acocella, Spartech Polycast, 70 Carlisle Place, Stamford, CT 06902, 800-243-9002/203-327-6010, Fax: 800-631- 4005, E-mail: angelo.acocella@spartech.com, Web: www.polycast.com.

Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc. (RPT), one of the world’s leading acrylic manufacturers, now caters not only to distributers but directly to the architectural and interior design fields. With six new acrylic and resin-based products joining their existing acrylic sheet, rod and tube line, RPT is poised to deliver exceptional products to an ever growing and constantly evolving field. Every product is fully customizable to suit the customers’ needs – whether it’s a unique shape, a custom color or a custom image – and each product can usually be delivered within weeks.

Whether it’s an ice-like texture as obtained through the R-Cast™ Ice product, a subtle texture from the R-Cast™ Textures line, one of any of 120 transparent colors from the R-Cast Palette line, a custom image as part of our RCast Mirage product line, or a fire-resistant solid surface material from their R-Cast Dura product, RPT can customize each product to suit your needs. And, each product benefits greatly from illumination that bring out the subtleties of the material.

RPT continues to stock sheet up to four inches thick in 15’ lengths, as well as tube up to 96” OD and rod up to 12” OD. So whether you’re in the market for world-class oversized sheet, rod or tube, or you’re looking for a product for a custom interior design project, RPT can help.

For additional information, contact Julie Hober, Reynolds Polymer Technology, Inc., 607 Hollingsworth Street, Grand Junction, CO 81505, 970-241-4700, Fax: 970-257-1088, E-mail: juliehober@reynoldspolymer.com, Web: www.reynoldspolymer.com.

Acrylic Components

For 100 years, Chelsea Plastics has been the leader in the fabrication of custom acrylic components.

Acrylic manufacturers and distributors come to Chelsea Plastics for machining and polishing small components, particularly those components that are too small to be fabricated on their own machinery. Their expertise in tumble polishing ensures a superior finish on these pieces. Their clients also look to them for their hand polishing capabilities when they need the best possible finish on thicker and uniquely-shaped components.

They specialize in fabricating acrylic items that cannot be made elsewhere. Nothing is too small or too difficult for their design and fabrication experts. Is your client's imagination running wild? Feel like their creative department is getting their ideas from outer space? No problem - Chelsea can help.

For additional information, contact Allen R. Frechter, Chelsea Plastics Corporation, 30-02 48th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101, 800- 524-2435/212-924-4530, Fax: 212- 924-3508, E-mail: info@chelseaplastics. com, Web: www.chelseaplastics.com.

Next Generation PC

AmeriLux International’s Lexan Thermoclear PLUS Twin Wall and Triple Wall is now available in the USA. This is a high performance polycarbonate glazing material designed 27 years ago in Europe specifically for the building material industry where high light transmission and excellent insulation is a requirement. The panels offer natural lighting, high UV protection performance, superior energy efficiency, easy fabrication and light in weight yet virtually unbreakable. Their panel is one of the best performing polycarbonate multiwall glazing materials in the industry and has virtually no yellowing. Their sheets come in thicknesses from 4mm up to 50mm with sheet lengths up to 48 foot long. With their latest state–of-the-art technology, they can offer a self-cleaning hydrophobic coating that creates larger droplets to form and wash away dirt that leaves the sheet spotless. Coming in early 2011, they will be introducing their complete line of Lexan Polycarbonate Standing Seam Sheet Systems.

For additional information, contact Tami Churchill, AmeriLux International, 1212 Enterprise Drive, DePere, WI 54115, 888-602-4441, Fax: 920-336-9301, E-mail: ameriluxtami@aol.com, Web: www.ameriluxinternational.com.

Reinforced Acrylic Sheets

American Acrylic Corporation manufactures LUMAsite® reinforced acrylic sheets and lighting diffusers.

These elegant translucent panels are used extensively in architectural, display and fixture lighting, partitions, illuminated walls, canopies, oriental décor, window treatments and much more.

The combination of translucent beauty and long-term durability (indoors or out) makes LUMAsite® sheets an outstanding choice for all kinds of light-diffusing applications. Varieties include graceful rice-paper and frosted effects, several translucent (and opaque) white varieties, delicate tints and fabric embedments.

All standard varieties and thickness are available in a choice of sheet sizes up to 4’ x 10’. Some varieties available in larger sheet sizes. Panels can also be cut to the exact size needed.

For additional information, contact Maryann West, American Acrylic Corporation, 400 Sheffield Ave. West Babylon, NY 11704, 800-627-9025/631-422-2200, Fax: 631-422-2811, Web: www.americanacrylic.com.

Clear “Armor”

While digital technology expands design possibilities for indoor and outdoor signage and visual displays, it also creates a critical need to protect electronics from severe weather and vandalism.

Display Devices, Inc. of Arvada, Colorado, recently brought this design challenge to Sheffield Plastics, a Bayer MaterialScience LLC Business and leading producer of Makrolon® polycarbonate sheet products.

The digital display manufacturer designs and builds standard and custom display products for a customer base that includes hotels, airports and corporate facilities around the world. Units typically must reflect a client company’s image and complement its facilities’ architecture. The clear display panels for outdoor installations in particular must withstand the rigors of rain, high wind, hail, extreme temperature and sun exposure and are subject to damage from vandalism.

According to Jeremiah Hueske, Industrial Designer for Display Devices, performance and integrity of the display screen was also a key factor in their ability to promote their product reliability and its warranty. “We evaluated several traditional clear materials for break-resistance and the ability to maintain clarity long term. We also wanted to comply with UL flammability ratings. Glass, acrylic and standard polycarbonate all fell short on one or more of the key performance criteria.” After consulting with Sheffield Plastics, the designer opted for a grade of Makrolon polycarbonate sheet that offers exceptional abrasion resistance, optical clarity and a warranty against breakage.

For additional information, contact Cindy Kahlstrom, Sheffield Plastics Inc., 119 Salisbury Road, Sheffield, MA 01257, 800-254-1707, Fax: 800-457-3553, E-mail: cindy.kahlstrom@bayerbms.com, Web: www.sheffieldplastics. com.

Fabrication Supplies & Accessories

For many years FTM, Inc. has been your "Fabricators Source" for all of your plastic fabrication needs. FTM carries a wide variety of products specifically designed for the plastics industry including strip heaters for bending plastics, tooling and a large selection of hardware. If you’re looking for tooling such as router bits, drill bits or saw blades, and hardware such as hinges, hasps, turntables or locks, then this is the place. To complete your jobs, they even stock solvents, applicators, cleaners and polishes.

To their ever-expanding line, they are proud to announce the addition of Outdoor Real Estate Boxes. These durable boxes are weatherproof, self-closing and made from non-yellowing heavy duty plastic. They are easily mounted anywhere with the "E-Z peel & stick mounting system." Each real estate box will hold approx. 150 flyers. There are several sizes to choose from including, standard, tri-fold and business card. They also carry a complete line of high quality indoor literature and business card holders. Request a catalog today for complete information on all of their products.

For additional information, contact David Geer, FTM, Inc., 327 Industrial Dr. Unit 1, Placerville, CA 95667, 530-626-1986, Fax: 530-642-2602, E-mail: info@123ftm.com, Web: www.123ftm.com.

Multiwall & Corrugated PC

CO-EX Corporation is a leader in the development of multiwall and corrugated polycarbonate sheet materials. Innovation drives the core of the company with new sheet products, new panel and system products and new solid sheet products constantly being introduced into various market segments including: Architectural - applications such as roofing, skylights, walkways, canopies, fa - cades and other glazing panels. Horticultural - applications for the green house and growers market. General plastic applications such as; partitions, graphic and decorative displays.

New to CO-EX is solid polycarbonate sheet, Macrolux C from 0.093” thick through 0.500” thick.

All the multiwall products save energy in two ways: 1) they let in natural light thus reducing electricity usage and 2) all products provide very high insulation properties which reduces energy usage and CO2 emissions. CO-EX Corporation has been serving the North American market since 1988. Their multiwall products begin at 4 mm thick and go up to 60 mm thick, so a wide range of products are available to meet your needs.

For additional information, contact Janice Pravorne, CO-EX Corporation, 5 Alexander Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492, 800-888-5364, Fax: 203- 679-0600, E-mail: info@co-excorp.com. Web: www.co-excorp.com.

Eye-Grabbing Displays

Evonik Cyro’s ACRYLITE® sheet, rod and tube offerings are perfect for creating exciting and visually appealing displays and tradeshow booths. For designers and fabricators looking to achieve any number of effects, there are numerous ACRYLITE products that can help them to draw attention to an exhibit.

A few of Evonik Cyro’s offerings include ACRYLITE Radiant sheet, Fluorescent ACRYLITE GP sheet or Exotic Edge ACRYLITE GP sheet. Each provides a frosted finish with high light transmission and even light diffusion to hide hot spots caused by LED lights or other light sources. Another benefit is that the ACRYLITE products resist fingerprints due to their finish.

Other products from Evonik Cyro, such as ACRYLITE Trend Textured sheet or Stippled Texture, allow exhibitors to create interest or privacy by using textures and patterns, while maintaining the appearance of glass without the risk of breaking. Additionally, a mirror finish can be created with lower costs than competing products.

By combining any of Evonik Cyro’s ACRYLITE products with lighting, tradeshow designers and exhibitors can create eye-grabbing booth displays that draw attention from show attendees with color shifting lighting effects or allow the edges to glow.

For additional information, contact Gail Wood, Evonik Cyro LLC, 379 Interpace Parkway, Parsippany, NJ 07054, 800-631-5384/973-541- 8754, Fax: 973-541-8445, Email: gail.wood@evonik.com, Web: www. acrylite.net.