Cross Stud
Innovation overview and development
Provide an overview of the product
After being a contractor, inventor and manufacturer for close to forty years has told me one thing the fitout and drywall sector has been resistant to change. Being involved in competitions has not interested me as the creation and delivery has always been my juice, seeing a multitude of clients being happy and providing repeat business for my company so that we are the go to place for solutions for clients with site borne issues.
All of these inventions have been used to fortify rd development rebates as Seamless Abutment Solutions manufacture them to self fund, due to support to small companies being a struggle. Cross stud is something that is fresh and new, utilising geometry and acoustical manipulations to provide a difference in the world of metal stud construction.
How the new product was developed, including effective collaboration, knowledge transfer and partnership along the project team
The idea for Cross Stud came to mind as vehicle to wrap ply components and provide modular wall element I.n Order to achieve this the element needed to have a rebate within its shape
This would provide options in integration of elements and remove the need of double thickness metal section s transoms brackets, that are secured with a wafer head screw creating bumps and error. The cross shape was perfect geometry when making the comparison to the established C stud and I stud formation used world wide.
In principle the shape works but how can it be made if the process was looked at again. If the element are split two parts folding would be a possibility and because the two parts come together separately, the addition of adding a neoprene type tape place along it’s length of connection will de couple the element acoustically this could have a major effect on how walls in the future could be built.
Adding to this means that adding a layer of additional plasterboard could improve wall acoustics and fire integrity. Introducing pattress elements allows for less time consuming brackets or angles groove milled within the pattress, as everything is fitted within the rebate of the stud. Therefore there will be no surface elements that lead to snagging. The benefit of its stability when building curved elements that far exceeds certainly c stud and I stud formats Introduction of letterboxes baffle boxes and door transoms will remove snagging that happens on every project in every site in the UK.
How might this product have an influence on the specification
Within property development, square footage becomes the best generator of income and savings with the potential of creating wall constructions that use less footprint. This creates a financial advantage for the client which far exceeds a cost for a product element. New guidelines and guidance have instigated changes to add additional staircase to new buildings with the possibility of space and planning the footprint with narrower wall construction. This could be the solution to dealing with retro adjustments created by new legislation. Modular elements using a mixture of upscale facia material that were destined for landfill are now milled to a new width and reused including the pattress material.
The only challenge is how this effects the status quo of the supply chain, when the versatility of the stud design leans to possible modern methods of manufacture being adopted and created by creatives and designers evoking a change to the stagnant innovation within the industry.
How the product improved productivity in the process and/or quality and performance of the interior system
The cross stud is symmetrical and allows elements sitting within to be accurate. We understand the prefabricated elements are first visualised as a digital 3D model entity that builds components and creates assemblies that are scalable on a level without end to volumes that can be integrated. This ultimately removes snagging and finishing issues which creates quicker cost saving elements. The only change needed is that of the mindset of the sector if adopted innovation thrives to a level not experienced in my work life.