FAQ

Some frequently asked questions about SOTECH Optima Systems

What are the maximum and typical panels sizes available for Optima Rainscreen Systems?

	OPTIMA FC	OPTIMA TFC	OPTIMA IPC	EDGE	Notes
1.5mm Aluminium	NA	NA	3800 x 300mm	N/A	Maximum panel size
2.0mm Aluminium	3800 x 600mm	3800 x 600mm	3800 x 600mm	N/A	Maximum panel size
3.0mm Aluminium	3800 x 1300mm	3800 x 1300mm	N/A	NA	Typical panel size, other sizes available
4.0mm Aluminium	NA	NA	NA	4000 x 2000mm
PRECOAT MATERIAL
2.0mm Pre-paint Aluminium	3800 x 600mm	3800 x 600mm	3800 x 600mm	N/A	Maximum panel size
4.0mm ACM	5800 x 1300mm	5800 x 1300mm	NA	N/A	Typical panel size, other sizes available
Alpolic NC A1	5800 x 1300mm	5800 x 1300mm	NA	N/A	Maximum panel size
NON-FERROUS METAL
1.0mm Brass	NA	NA	3800 x 300mm	NA	Maximum panel size
1.0mm Copper	NA	NA	3800 x 300mm	NA	Maximum panel size
1.0mm Zinc	NA	NA	3800 x 300mm	NA	Maximum panel size
FERROUS METAL
1.5mm Corten Steel	3800 x 600mm	NA	NA	NA	Maximum panel size
2.0mm Corten Steel	3800 x 1300mm	NA	NA	NA	Maximum panel size
1.0mm Stainless Steel	NA	NA	3800 x 300mm	NA	Maximum panel size
1.5mm Stainless Steel	3800 x 1300mm	3800 x 1300mm	NA	NA	Maximum panel size
Minimum Panel Sizes
SOTECH SYSTEM	FLAT PANEL	CORNER PANEL
Optima FC+	300 x 500mm	150 x 150 x 500mm
Optima TFC	300 x 500mm	150 x 150 x 500mm
Optima IPC	150 x 500mm	100 x 100 x 500mm

PANEL CRITERIA

What are the limitations to corner panels?

Corner Panels should be kept as small as possible to allow for the effective application of 3rd party finish’s, transportation and site application. Corner panels should not exceed the sizes layed out within the table’s above for both faces combined. Any anodised corner which exceeds 350 x 350mm cover will need to be internally bolted and assembled on site due to tank restrictions. Please take these considerations into account as the internal bolt aesthetic may not be a possible option.

Do Sotech offer perforated options?

Sotech have a range of standard perforation options which can be applied to our pressed product ranges. These are all in house Sotech tools and are readily available for use on your projects. Bespoke patterns and processing options such as laser cutting are available, please speak with a member of our Technical Team for more information.

Are there any specific requirements per panel type?

Panel Stiffening Requirements

All Sotech panel stiffening requirements to ensure compliance with L/90 are determined via Finite Element Analysis (FEA) which is an in house ran application. To allow analysis to be undertaken for your project you will be required to provide the following information.

Building Elevations
Building Section & Detail Information
Windloading Calculations

Static Calculations

Sotech can provide you with Project Specific Static Calculations for our Optima Range of Systems. The following information will be required for us to undertake these calculations for you.

Building Elevations
Building Section & Detail Information
Windloading Calculations

Sotech Design Offering

Sotech do not currently offer a design or scheduling service. Information of 3^rd party sub-contract design companies can be provided with experience of Sotech Systems. This service will need to be established directly with the Installer & the Design Provider and not through Sotech Ltd.

Non-standard detailing can be developed with our Technical Team, please contact them should you have a need for any non-standard detailing.

Any non-standard panels will need an individual panel drawing provided in order to manufacture. The drawing must include the below for manufacturing purposes.

Horizontal & Vertical Sections
Panel Face Dimensions
Return Fold Dimensions
Specific Part Reference
Grain Direct (if applicable)
Quantity

Sotech currently use Revit, Inventor and Solidworks drawing software should any bespoke parts require Sotech’s input for manufacture.

We are able to accept the following file types DWG, DXF, SAT, STEP & IGES

Minimum Order Area

Sotech currently operate minimum order areas for our products, some of the minimum order areas are in place due to the requirements our specific suppliers in order to manufacture raw material. A break down of our minimum areas are below for you viewing.

Material	Minimum Order Area
Aluminium – Polyester Powder Coated & Anodised	350/m2
Aluminium Composite Material	350 – 500/m2 (Subject to Colour)
Novelis Precoated Aluminium	500/m2 (Subject to Colour, bespoke finishes may occur additional order area)
Luxe Coat Precoated Aluminium	500/m2
Reynolux Precoated Aluminium	350-500/m2 (Subject to Colour)
Euramax Precoated Aluminium	350-500/m2 (Subject to Colour)
Other Non-Ferrous Metals (Zinc, Brass, Copper)	350/m2
Ferrous Metals (Stainless Steel, Corten Steel)	350/m2

Ancillary Products such as Coping’s, Cills, Drips etc will be reviewed as a “Project Package”, we do not currently process Flashings and Fabrications and stand alone product. Insulated Panels are not currently part of Sotech’s product range.

Product Warranty

Different material and finish’s carry various warranty offerings, predominately based upon the project’s geographical location & localized pollutants. As a guide below are the upper ranges of warranty offerings per finish type. The below should be used as a guide, exact offerings are confirmed following the warranty application process.

Material Finish	Possible Warranty Periods
Anodising	40 Years
Polyester Powder Coating	25 Years
Precoat Aluminum	40 Years
Aluminum Composite Material	25 Years
Corten	No Warranty Available

Increased warranty periods for Polyester Powder Coating (PPC) may be possible if a greater specification of powder is applied. These powders are generally referred to as D2525/ Class 2 or 68 Series Powders and are termed “Super-Durable”.

Class 1 (D1036) Powders achieve a 1 year “Florida Exposure” category when the paint retains a Gloss level of 50% of its original application during testing.

Class 2 (D2525) powders achieve a 3 year “Florida Exposure” category when the paint retains a Gloss level of 75% of its original application during testing.

For system warranty’s all Panels and Supporting Structure (brackets and rails) need to be purchased through Sotech and its supply chain.

Fire Classification

The Optima Range of Secret Fix (FC) and Discrete Fix (TFC) have undertaken BS8414 Testing, the certification documents are available via our downloads page.

The surface finishes applied to our panel systems have a direct impact on the panels Fire Classification. Polyester Powder Coated (PPC) offer our panels systems an A2-s1,d0 Classification generally. Whilst other finish’s such as Precoat (PVDF) and Anodised Aluminum offer our products an A1 Rating.

Please see the below supporting information available for you to download and review, should you have any questions please feel free to talk to our Technical Team (Insert Link)

Transportation

Sotech have a network of haulage suppliers we use to get your goods to site. Our network are specifically chosen to offer the best possible range of delivery options to suit site requirements. The core of all our providers have FORS Bronze Accreditation as standard, Silver is subjected to availability. Please speak with our Sales Team regarding your requirements.

Our providers are members of the R.H.A (Road Haulage Association)

A snapshot of the general fleet on offer are below:

10.5 Ton Flat Beds & Curtain Siders

14 Ton Curtain Siders

18 Ton Curtain Siders

27 Ton Flat Beds & Curtain Siders

44 Ton Flat Beds and Curtain Siders

Pick Up’s Trucks are available for any smaller loads, alternatively parcels can be sent by any of our parcel couriers.

Good are shipped on pallets (sizes to suit your project) each pallet is shrink wrapped and banded for safety. Each panel will be separated by polystyrene packing blocks to prevent any metal to metal contact of your goods through transit. Timber framed pallets are available for any projects requiring crane offload on site.

Each pallet has a contents list attached for you to easily identify your goods without the need for opening each pack before its required.

(We do advise ventilation cuts are placed into the shrink wrap to allow air to circulate on site)

Pallets can be packed in accordance with your install needs, please speak with our Sales or Production Teams regarding any specific requirements for your project.