Challenges Part I Supplemental Framing
Posted
10/30/2012
Ted Miller lost his courageous 10-year battle
with Stage IV cancer on October 9, 2012. His monthly "Ted's MCM
Corner" feature will be carried on by his devoted employees. You
can read about Ted's passing on our blog at
www.millerclapperton.com/blog/tsm.
Back in the mid-1970s, when MCM panels were just beginning to be
utilized by designers it was a simpler time in the construction
industry for many reasons. The MCM panels seemed to be utilized in
large contiguous 
areas. These areas were generally
flat and the geometry relatively simple.
However, the advent of the following combined to allow the MCM
panels to become more complex:
• The "coming of age" of AutoCAD allowed designers to select
very complex shapes.
• Combining AutoCAD with the introduction of Computer Aided
Machining Centers also allowed for more complex panels to be
utilized.
I will suggest to you that in the field of design, when
something becomes possible, it will eventually be done. One of the
consequences of the use of more complex MCM panels and combining
them with other "design friendly" materials is that the depth of
wall sections at various points along a wall elevation will become
complex.
In earlier years, we may have utilized a simple one-depth
hat-shaped subgirt outboard of the wall sheathing for the entire
supplemental framing system. Today, it is not unusual to have four
or five wall section depths on the same wall
. This change requires that a full-service highly engineered
wall system subcontractor develop a new set of skills to solve the
inherent problems of varying depth wall substrates.
Outlined to the right are a few of the supplemental wall framing
systems that have been developed for MCM panel systems.
As the number and complexity of panel types continues to
increase, the MCM fabricator/subcontractors who are able to develop
economical and easy to install supplemental framing systems will
become or continue to be the leaders in the industry.
For more information on The Miller-Clapperton
Partnership Inc., Austell, Ga., visit
www.millerclap perton.com