About
Great innovations for a higher level of performance
Please Note
As of April 31st, 2017, Steelcase has discontinued the entire line of eno whiteboards and all related products and accessories. Touchboards features Interactive Whiteboard products and solutions from
SMART,
Promethean,
StarBoard,
TeamBoard,
QOMO and
NewLine.
Steelcase helps leading organizations — in business, healthcare and education — create the places that can unlock the promise of their people. At Steelcase, they bring human insight to business by studying how people work, wherever they work. Those insights can help organizations achieve a higher level of performance, by creating places that unlock the promise of their people. They company’s goal is to help them create spaces that support how they work.
Steelcase Education is focused on helping schools, colleges and universities create the most effective, rewarding and inspiring active learning environments to meet the evolving needs of students and educators. Using an insight-led approach, Steelcase designed solutions for the many spaces learning happens, from classrooms and libraries to in-between spaces and cafes. Steelcase has a passion for understanding how learning best takes place and how smarter, active learning spaces can help. The addition of PolyVision to the family has enabled Steelcase to offer cutting edge CeramicSteel surfaces and architectural products to organizations across the globe.
Steelcase acquired PolyVision
When Steelcase acquired PolyVision in 2001, PolyVision became a part of a family that has created quality products for over 100 years. Founded in 1912 and fostering innovation in the form of low-cost fireproof wastebaskets since 1914, the Steelcase brand has held a leadership role in the production of fine furniture and services ever since. With a portfolio that includes an array of products, office furniture and services for office environments, healthcare facilities and educational institutions, Steelcase has grown from crafting innovative wastebaskets into a company dedicated to providing the best furniture products and space planning services available to companies and institutions all around the world.
PolyVision understands that the most effective solutions require the skill, dedication, ideas and agility of passionate people. Since 1954, we have put those qualities to work, producing the world’s most durable CeramicSteel surfaces. From the time-tested chalkboards of early classrooms to landmark wall panels and infrastructure, our products span more than two billion square feet of business, education and public spaces globally.
The science of surface
PolyVision CeramicSteel technology is complex and exacting. The result is a beautiful and reliable uniformity across all contours, including edges. Here is a glance at our proprietary continuous coil enameling process:
- Heated in the range of 1292° - 1652° F (700° - 900° C), powdered glass is melted and flows and hardens
- The resulting enamel is fused onto the metal coil
- Finally, a smooth, durable, abrasion-resistant surface is produced
- Coils, sheets cut to any size, or laminated panels are ready for fabrication or distribution
The result is the world's most durable and sustainable CeramicSteel surface. Resistant to chemicals, scratches, bacteria, fire, graffiti and stains, PolyVision CeramicSteel performs even in the most demanding environments.
What is CeramicSteel?
CeramicSteel is produced by means of a continuous coil-coating process. A thin cold rolled carbon steel substrate is coated on both sides with porcelain enamel. This ceramic surface is fused to the steel at temperatures in the range of 700 – 900 °C (1292 – 1652 °F). CeramicSteel is used for magnet-retaining markerboard or chalkboard applications (known as e3™ CeramicSteel) as well as architectural cladding (known as a3™ CeramicSteel).
Why choose e3 CeramicSteel?
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PolyVision’s e3 CeramicSteel provides a durable glass-like surface that outperforms other writing surfaces.
The long lasting surface complies with the principle international standards related to porcelain enameled steel set by organizations like ISO (International Organization for Standardization), EN (European Normalization), EEA (European Enamel Authority), CEN (European Committee for Standardization) and PEI (Porcelain Enamel Institute). It is clean air certified, 99% recyclable and comes with a Forever Warranty. e3 CeramicSteel premium writing surfaces are engineered for optimal writing and erasing with minimal deterioration in performance over time.
Collaboration + Creativity
![PolyVision-Ceramic-Steel]()
Cognitive mapping research has shown that the physical process of writing and diagramming helps people learn and recall information. Making proper use of vertical space with whiteboards can facilitate group work, reinforce linguistic development, increase engagement, foster innovation and make thinking visible. Incorporating whiteboards into project rooms, training rooms or classrooms can allow individuals to brainstorm, communicate their thoughts and share ideas with others. Although technology is prevalent throughout almost all work environments and modern classrooms, the static whiteboard is and will remain a key element in learning spaces.
PolyVision e3 CeramicSteel can be written on with dry-erase, semi-permanent, water-soluble or permanent marker without damaging the surface. In fact, its durability has made it the surface of choice for the manufacture of interactive whiteboards. Dry-erase marker ink can be wiped off easily with a dry cloth or standard eraser. Semi-permanent and permanent marker pen inks can be removed with a solvent-based cleaner. Its ultra smooth writing surface enables dry erase markers to glide easily across the surface with minimal friction, eliminating ghosting and improving erasability. As a result, cleaning is easier, maintenance is minimal and life cycle costs are dramatically reduced.
Optimized surface for projection and dry erase
Teaching and presentation methods have evolved. More multimedia, projection and interactive content are being incorporated into the classroom and into corporate meeting spaces worldwide. This advancement in technology has led to a tension between glare reduction and dry erasability. As a result, students and coworkers experience shorter attention spans, visual fatigue and reduced knowledge transfer.
High performing, multifunctional whiteboard surfaces that work with both analog and digital information are now an increasingly important tool for everyday interaction, learning and collaboration.
PolyVision e3™ CeramicSteel duo—a projection surface optimized for writing and erasing—meets the growing needs of today’s students and workers. With strict flatness tolerances, e3 CeramicSteel duo supports new technology like infrared frames, interactive projectors and camera-based solutions for maximized performance in any learning or meeting space.
Unlike other projection surfaces, e3 CeramicSteel duo is magnetic and, when following proper cleaning instructions, handles a variety of markers including dry-erase, semi-permanent, water soluble, or permanent. Like all PolyVision products, this product is backed by PolyVision’s Forever Warranty.
What are the key benefits of e3 CeramicSteel?
- Sharp, clear and distinct marker and chalk lines provide maximum color contrast for optimum visibility
- Smooth writing
- Can quickly erase while presenting
- Easy to clean thoroughly after a class or meeting
- No staining or ghosting over time
- Permanent marker can be removed
- Works with projection, including interactive projectors
- Safe and clean: Cradle to Cradle Certified™ (C2C), releases no harmful chemicals into the environment, 99% recyclable
What are the differences in the writing surface finishes?
High gloss markerboard surfaces are identified as Type H (High Gloss) and Type U (Ultra Gloss). These are recommended for meeting rooms and classrooms that focus on sharing information, collaboration spaces or anywhere writing and erasing is done frequently.
Low gloss markerboard surfaces are identified as Type L (Low Gloss) and Type S (Satin). These writing surfaces have less distortion from light reflection and are recommended for rooms with bright light. Secondarily, Types L and S can also be used as a projection surface.
PolyVision’s projection surface is identified as Type P and is optimized for projectors, but does not dry erase. That is, water or solvents may be required to erase markings, even with a dry erase marker. PolyVision’s e3 CeramicSteel duo surface is designed for both projection and dry erase. This surface makes the transition between projection and writing seamless, with no need to close blinds or darken the room to reduce glare.
Chalkboard surfaces, Type C, feature a low gloss - matte finish that erases chalk easily with a dry cloth or standard chalk eraser. The surface retains minimal residual chalk dust and will not leave “ghost writing”.