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| Q: |
Can I use Surface components for kitchen or break areas? |
| A: |
Yes and No. These Surfaces work great for break room tables but are not made for preparation areas where knives or hot pans are used. The Surfaces have a working temperature of approximately 160 to 170 degrees. |
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| Q: |
Is there a size limit on Surfaces parts? |
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Due to the manufacturing process, single parts cannot be larger than 47" x 96".
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| Q: |
If a change occurs, can a part be cut down in the field? |
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Yes. Be sure to use a sharp blade. Also, taping the surface prior to cutting helps eliminate chipping. Keep in mind that MDF is not water resistant and excessive exposure to the raw edge after cutting may cause the core to swell. Let us know if you have questions or need assistance with cutting your part. However, please note that cutting down the surfaces will void the Northern Contours warranty. |
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| Q: |
Can I modify a radius or profile location on one of the standard part drawings? |
| A: |
No. These parts are standardized and available in the exact design shown in the range of dimensions listed. This reduces production time, creating a cost savings that we in turn pass on to you and your customer. We do however have a part number (NCS-CUSTOM) which allows you to draw a customized part. |
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| Q: |
What do I do if the part requires grommet holes? |
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To install a grommet, purchase a plastic grommet, apply masking tape over the area to be cut and use a hole saw to cut a hole that is slightly oversized from the grommet cylinder. The lip of the grommet should cover any chipping that might occur. If a dull hole saw is used, scoring the surface laminate with a knife blade will help prevent chipping. |
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| Q: |
How does thermofoil compare to High Pressure Laminate/or solid surfacing? |
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Rigid thermofoil is a 3D laminate meaning it can be pressed around complex corners and in thru holes. HPL is only 2D and cannot be formed in a 3rd dimension which requires the use of edgebanding. Solid surfacing is more expensive per square foot and is more scratch/mar prone than thermofoil. Contact your sales representative for more information or testing results. |
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| Q: |
Do I have to order to the nearest 1”? |
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No, you can order by any dimension necessary. We just ask you order in decimal inches, not millimeters. Please note, the standard tolerances are + or – 1/16”. |
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| Q: |
Will coffee or mustard stain these table tops? |
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Not with most of the finishes. Some foil topcoats are formulated to resist such stains. For more specific information, please contact your salesperson or our offices directly. |
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| Q: |
I plan to use under-mount keyboard trays. How can I figure out the radius size to determine if I will have enough clearance to access the keyboard tray? |
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There is a simple formula in the Notes section on each part drawing that explains how to calculate certain dimensions. It also gives you rules for minimum dimensions. |
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| Q: |
Do I have to order 24”x30” deep parts? |
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You can order whatever depth or width you choose (within the size parameters listed on the individual part prints.) The program's intent is to meet the needs of you and your customer. For example, you can order a straight in a 12" width for shelving or as a transaction surface. |
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| Q: |
Can a High Pressure Laminate or Pantone color be matched in thermofoil? |
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The simple answer is yes. Our sales team can help you to source the colors and prints you need. A growing number of matches are readily available. We can also arrange a custom color match, but be warned that the minimum order quantity for custom orders is fairly high. Consult your salesperson for details and options. |
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| Q: |
Can I order drawer and door fronts that match my Surfaces? |
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Yes. We have a complete line of custom doors for all your storage areas. Please contact your salesperson for details. |
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| Q: |
Do you offer machining for and installation of threaded inserts? |
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Yes. We have dedicated tools to drill 10-32, ¼-20, 10-24 and 3/8-16 threaded inserts. We also stock those inserts in a couple of lengths and install them for a fee. |
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| Q: |
Do you have the ability to press back bevels? |
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Yes, We can press a back bevel up to 60 degrees. |
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| Q: |
Why does the radius on a corner or along an edge change with different thicknesses? |
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A thicker part means that more film is affected by the stretching forces required to get the film from the top of the part down to the melamine surface. More material is coming together at the corner and must go somewhere. A great example is to lay a table cloth over a rectangular table. Try to get the table cloth smooth around the corner, you can’t. You need to fold the table cloth at the corner. Film isn’t as severe as it stretches but there is still an excess of material on the corner. |
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| Q: |
Why can’t cutouts have a 90 degree angle? |
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Components are machined using a CNC router, which uses tools that must spin to cut and shape the MDF. That means that CNC tools are roughly cylindrical in shape. Inside corner radius are limited to the CNC tools radius dimension. |
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