Geocel's improved silicone weathersealing sealant

Sealant specialist Geocel is launching a new version of silicone weathersealing sealant, Dow Corning 797.

'The new sealant, known as Dow Corning 791 Weatherproofing Silicone Sealant, will boast all of the qualities which have made 797 the premium weathersealing product for high-tech glass facades and curtain walls as well as the product of choice for professional trades, and will also feature some improved characteristics to make it even better.

'Specifiers, applicators and professional tradesmen have trusted Dow Corning 797 since its launch in the 1980s for its high performance and consistent quality. Dow Corning 791 supersedes Dow Corning 797 and will continue to meet the toughest specifications but will feature a number of significant improvements including improved adhesion on a number of substrates including polyester powder coated aluminium and superior gunability making it easier to extrude and tool. ' says the company.

Dow Corning 791 from Geocel is suited for expansion, perimeter and all other types of movement joints and is compatible with all Dow Corning structural sealants. It is UV stable and maintains high performance across a wide temperature range. Its high joint movement capability (+/- 50%) makes it a versatile sealant that can be used on a wide variety of construction substrates. With the launch of this new technology, Dow Corning has added a new colour, Anthrazite, to the already comprehensive range. Additionally, custom colours are also available on request.

Conforming to ISO 600 F&G-25LM, Dow Corning 791 also meets the ISO specification 9047 Class 50%.

Tel: 01752 202060
Email: mailto:arikken@geocel.co.uk
Web: http://www.dowcorning.com

Kombimatec CR5650 Vent Slot Router

GTI-Kombimatec Machines Ltd has introduced a new vent slot router designed to make the process quicker and simpler for operators.

The CR5650 Vent Slot Router has a large routing capacity of 565mm, allowing long vent slots to be made in a single operation. This saves the operator time as the profile need only be positioned and clamped once. The machine also incorporates a double acting copy finger that can accommodate two different tool diameters, plus a second copy finger on the right hand side of the automatic router head, offering speed and precision in operation. The automatic vertical head movement also means the operator only has to move the head from left to right to produce the slots, making the entire routing process easier and less tiring.

With its compact design, the CR5650 also takes up very little space on the factory floor, with a footprint of just 82 x 57 cm. A 6 position turret stop allows quick and easy setting of routing depths to cover a wide range of profiles. Pneumatic safety clamping and two hand safety operation makes the routing process safer for the operator, whilst a mist spray device is also available for cooling the tool bit.
Suitable for use with both PVCu and Aluminium profiles, the CR5650 also includes an air filter, air gun, tooling unit, profile stops and service spanners as standard.

Tel: 01582 455934
Email: mailto:sales@gtikombi.co.uk
Web: http://www.gtikombi.demon.co.uk

Kombimatec Profile Bending Solutions

With the popularity of arched, bow and round windows continuing to rise, GTI-Kombimatec Machines Ltd has introduced two versatile new machines designed to provide greater accuracy and reliability when preparing arched or bow frames.

Offering a high degree of control and precision, the EKS432MAN Automatic Single Head Welder (pictured right) has manual clamping handles to allow the operator to adjust pressure, height and angles easily, making it suitable for profile bending applications such as trapeze welding. Pressure may be adjusted to bring the profile heights exactly parallel before welding, providing a level of accuracy not previously available for welding arched frames.

Constructed entirely from steel for greater stability, the EKS432MAN has a fully automatic welding cycle and integrated digital temperature control for superb accuracy and reliability. A new heater-plate design offers improved welding strength, whilst a 3 stage clamp release minimises stress on welded corners. All functions such as welding temperature, pressure etc. may be set individually and independently of each other for greater flexibility. An intelligent machine, the EKS432MAN adapts itself to the cross-section of the profile to be welded, whilst built-in programs allow a qualified technician to mimic the automatic cycle to simplify fault diagnosis and minimise inconvenience.

A perfect partner to the welder is the AFV368 End Miller for transoms in bow, arch and round frames. Designed to be both accurate and easy to use, the machine 'hugs' the profile and copies the exact curvature of the bent profile. A quick-change cutter facility means no time is wasted unnecessarily, with no special tools required to complete the task.

Easy to set up and to adjust, the AFV368 End Miller has also been designed with safety in mind, incorporating a special interlocking guard design and safety clamping to protect the operator. A cutter block holder, spray mist lubrication, air filter, air gun and service spanners are all included as standard.

The two new machines are valuable additions to the existing Kombimatec PBM1 Profile Bending System. Suitable for Gothic and Mosque type windows with double curves, the PBM1 accommodates arches from 250mm to 1000mm radius and incorporates high efficiency Quartz infra-red heaters.

Tel: 01582 455934
Email: mailto:sales@gtikombi.co.uk
Web: http://www.gtikombi.demon.co.uk

Illustration shows:
Offering a high degree of control and precision, the EKS432MAN Automatic Single Head Welder has manual clamping handles to allow the operator to adjust pressure, height and angles easily, making it ideal for profile bending applications such as trapeze welding

Yorkshire Coated Lead from UKae

Following considerable investment in research and development to find an effective yet affordable coated lead, UKae Ltd has manufactured Yorkshire Coated Lead, the latest addition to the company's Character range of decorative products.

Whilst coated leads are often considered a better long-term alternative to standard self-adhesive leads - maintaining an unblemished appearance in the harshest conditions - using them in preference to standard leads has been price prohibitive for many installers. The high cost of most coated leads means that most of the time they offer little or no profit margin. Yorkshire Coated Lead claims to offer a superior performance on external applications yet is also more cost-effective to benefit the installer.

The subject of exhaustive testing and considerable investment, UKae's Yorkshire Coated Lead has been specifically engineered to stand the test of time when applied externally and is supported by a 10 year insurance-backed warranty. Yorkshire Coated Lead has been specifically designed to resist aesthetic damage cause by oxidisation and is currently available in antique and brass finishes.

UKae's Managing Director Garry Ealing believes the overall quality offered by its Character range represents the future of the decorative glass industry:

'With new standards such as Document L and EN1279 being enforced, it seems likely that similar regulations will eventually be created for decorative glass applications. 'High specification' are the new buzzwords of the window industry and Character is a brand that is already well-recognised in the industry for superior quality. The new Yorkshire Coated Lead will allow installers to provide a high-spec lead product, but also capitalise on its use.'

Tel: 0121 313 3010
Email: mailto:ukae@minworth.freeserve.co.uk

Egress Solutions for Windows

Laird Security hardware has launched a new range of Egress friction hinges designed for safety and emergency exit in accordance with current standards.

The Egress range is in response to the industry requirement for the provision of an egress window to first floor locations for easy exit in the event of an emergency.

Manufactured from high quality stainless steel, the E1 is designed for maximum opening in one operation while the E2 opens initially to easy clean then to egress.
Available in both 12' and 16' lengths, in two stack heights the new Egress range is designed to fit most window profiles.

Featuring a green end cap, the Egress range is easily identifiable to the installer and the customer.

The egress window can be further enhanced by the installation of non-locking window handle fitted with a green button.

Tel: 0121 224 6000
Email: mailto:marketing@cego.co.uk

Compass Roof Vent: Value in a Box

'Roof vents offer a simple and highly efficient, practical solution to provide the necessary air circulation required in conservatories. But with the Compass Roof Vent you will find an exceptional performance that is demonstrated from the moment you open the box.' says the company.

Readymade product is supplied in a package, to ensure efficiency and protection during transit. Protective packing 'profiles' have been designed to fit neatly into the edges of the aluminium sections. These prevent the product from having any contact with the outer box, in order to maintain the perfect finish.

The screwjack and gasket are packed into a separate box, which is then heat melted into the centre of the vent, with labeling for easy identification. To prevent any movement during transit, whilst also providing protection for the aluminium sections and vent corners, packing pieces are then heat melted to the box. Finally, the complete product is then covered with a polymer sheet.

A double benefit is derived from 'recycling' the packaging. The protective polymer sheet can be used to protect the sections while glazing, allowing the complete product to be replaced in the box to be forward to site, maintaining total damage protection.
The same standards and principles are utilised with the Compass Kit, an alternative for volume users, retaining all the benefits of a readymade product.

Available in two standard sizes, the kit is fully prepped and if the width needs reducing, simply cut down the top and bottom rails to the required size. The design provides a minimum of fixing requirements whilst the absence of beading makes glazing simple.

Tel: 01282 436777

Wacker VIP Panels: Slimline Thermal Insulation

Wacker has developed vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) with building insulation performance and, for the first time, in a space-saving slimline format. These vacuum insulation panels adhere to Germany's strict new Energy Savings Ordinance (EnEV), even under the space constraints imposed by, for example, the renovation of older buildings. Vacuum insulation panels have rapidly gained market acceptance, with a growing number of construction firms offering slimline insulation based on Wacker's new VIPs.

The German Energy Savings Ordinance, enacted into law in February 2002, has refocused attention on thermal insulation for buildings. The regulations make new low-energy structures the norm, but owners of older buildings are also affected. To use classic insulation materials in accordance with EnEV, insulation would have to be applied in layers 20 to 35 centimeters thick - which would make the interiors of older buildings too cramped. The need for new insulation materials and strategies is becoming greater. A construction industry solution is now available: 'slimline thermal insulation'. Not only do vacuum insulation panels from Wacker provide highly efficient thermal insulation, they are also just two centimeters thick.

A vacuum insulation panel is a thin, vacuum-packed panel of amorphous fumed silica, a non-toxic, inflammable powdery material - sand in its finest form. This material, along with small quantities of additives, is pressed into panels wrapped by a vacuum-sealed barrier film. The thermal conductivity of such a Wacker VIP, with its interior under a vacuum of 5 millibar, is only 5 milliwatts per meter-kelvin. This is five to ten times better than the thermal conductivity of conventional insulation materials.
The secret of VIP's low thermal conductivity lies with the interplay of the 'nanoporous' silica and the vacuum - resulting in exceptional insulating properties. The air inside the tiny pores is trapped and barely able to move - so it transports very little heat - i.e. heat convection is impeded. The lower the pressure, the lower the convection rate, until the pressure is so low as to eliminate convection completely. For fumed silica, this state is reached at 50 millibar.

'The inspiration behind vacuum insulation panels came from the automobile industry', recalls Dr. Peter Randel, Senior Manager for Panels at Wacker Ceramics. 'At first, the aim was to save as much space as possible, yet still provide extremely effective thermal insulation for the high-temperature batteries used in electric cars. After a short time, though, the very thin vacuum insulation panels were being used by industry and in logistics operations. When it became clear in late 1999 that the Energy Savings Ordinance would soon become law, the construction sector approached us as well.

'Laboratory tests and experience with a variety of buildings prove that VIPs deliver superb results for the construction sector. Vacuum insulation panels can thermally insulate outer walls, inner walls and floors. Thanks in part to the Energy Savings Ordinance, demand for vacuum insulation panels is expected to rise.'

Tel: +49 89 6279-1165
E-mail: mailto:hans-joachim.klinger@wacker.com
Web: http://www.wacker.com

HW Plastics - lnnovations in Building Products

New products from the HW Plastics Building Products division include the TruColor™ range launched by Kestrel. TruColor™ is a range of weatherable coloured PVC-UE roofline and cladding products available in brown, black, green, red and blue. The colour pigmentation technology used to produce the finishes minimises surface heat build up, ensuring a thermal expansion not dissimilar to conventional white PVCu finishes.

It has taken almost three years for Kestrel to develop, refine and test this product range and it is anticipated that the flexibility it offers to designers to create a distinct aesthetic for their buildings will prove enormously popular.

Also new is Tufftec - an internal window board system offering increased surface resistance to abrasion. The objective is to provide interior window cills that keep their good looks despite the day-to-day impact of household objects such as keys, vases and picture frames. Available in a choice of bull-nosed and square-nosed options, the window board is introduced along with a range of matching foiled corner cover joints and end caps for a professional finish.

As well as the TruColor™ System, HW Plastics also has a new range of Rosewood foiled PVC-UE roofline and cladding products designed to co-ordinate with wood and wood-effect windows, primarily for domestic installations.

'New product development is central to our strategy for the Kestrel and BCE brands' summarised Sales and Marketing Director Barry Stone. 'Being part of HW Plastics allows us the resources to experiment with new techniques ourselves and also to benefit from advances made in other divisions. It is clear that the Building Products division is also focusing its attention on the customers of the windows brands in a very logical drive to convince customers to use HW Plastics as a one stop shop for all PVC building products.'

Tel: 01625 420400
Web: http://www.hwsystems.co.uk

Portal Products Extends Amatis Range

Portal Products has extended its Amatis inverted panel range to include complementary new glass designs and a greater choice of panel styles.

The launch of the range marks the latest step in the evolution of the Amatis PVCu door panel. With its inverse-moulding, the panel closely resembles the traditional lines of timber doors and combines low-maintenance benefits with appealing design.
New Verona styles have been added to the existing Palermo and Toulouse ranges bringing the total number of Amatis panels to eight. The new collection features two new panel styles, a larger glazing panel and new dedicated glass designs to widen customer choice.

The taller arched inset panel is available with diamond-bevelled or coloured decorative glass specifically created for the Verona range. The full Amatis range includes half panels and white or Thermasure woodgrains with reinforcing as standard.
National Sales Manager, Haydon Statham, comments: 'Portal is proud of its reputation for product innovation which gives our customers opportunities to offer something different.

'What we're offering window companies is a way to differentiate their product offer with the extended Amatis collection featuring a smoother and more elegant look, rather than the usual raised mouldings which have seen little change over 15 years in the market,' he adds.

Tel: 01242 267000
Email: mailto:sales@portal-products.co.uk

Eurocell 100 x 80 Hollow Angle

Eurocell Building Plastics has launched the 100 x 80 Hollow Angle. Eurocell has been pro-active in introducing the products to meet their growing customer base requirements, but also producing products and finishes which are attractive to the consumer market. The new addition is now available through the extensive network of Eurocell Building Plastic depots.

For details about locations of Eurocell Building Plastics Trade Centres please call:
01773 842 300
Web: http://www.eurocell.co.uk

Visteon body-tinted and body tinted hardcoat reflectives

Visteon Float Glass (formerly Ford, Glass Division)
Brand name: Versalux
Various body-tinted (Ford Blue!) and body tinted hardcoat reflectives.

European Exclusive Representation: IGA (International Glass Agencies)
Heuvelstraat 11 - 3090 OVERIJSE -Belgium

Tel: 00 32 2 687 22 44
Email: mailto:info@iga.be
Web: http//www.iga.be

Spectraglass for Architects and Designers

'New glass colouring technology developed by Sydney company Spectraglass™ is set to revolutionise the way glass is used by designers and architects and define a new architectural 'look' for the home and the workplace.' says the company.

The Spectraglass™ innovation will allow decorative and functional use of glass in virtually any colour to replace conventional wall panels, doors, splashbacks and even counter tops.

Until now, glass colouring technology was expensive and limited in colour range, durability and functionality.

The Spectraglass™ process claims to allow vibrant glass colours to be applied quickly on a production line basis to virtually any glass at a fraction of the cost of traditional techniques with the added benefit of durability.

Connell Wagner have designed and engineered a fully transportable energy efficient and environmentally friendly Spectraglass™ Coating Line, able to run at a controlled speed of one metre a minute - a cost effective speed for the efficient production line application of Spectraglass™.

The Polymerised Spectraglass™ coating dries in minutes at room temperature, producing a strong bond that remains inert to solvents and cleaners and resistant to acids and alkalies. The technology also allows incorporation of special effects such as frosting, and metallic finishes as well as incorporation of UV and mould protection.
The patented colouring technology has already been proven in licensed application to glass bottling, with the vibrant, scratch resistant and heat resistant colours, opening up new marketing opportunities for bottlers and producers.

The Spectraglass™ technology will enable architects to create natural uncluttered environments with rich colours and textures incorporated into glass walls and panels.
Alan Mc Innes, Director of Spectraglass™ says that the global production of flat glass is already well over 2.8 billion sq metres annually.

'The application of our Spectraglass™ technology to a fraction of this production would not only expand the market for architectural glass but also yield a substantial return for investment in our technology.'

Venture Axess is currently managing investment options in this technology on behalf of Spectraglass™ and Alan Mc lnnes says the company is happy to meet and discuss the technology with potential investors and industry partners.

Admitted to the national Australian Technology Showcase (ATS) technology promotion as an innovative product with global export potential - the Spectraglass™ technology was featured at a special ATS Building and Construction industry forum in Sydney on the 22nd of August.

Contact: Gerard Noon, Australian Technology Showcase Tel +61 2 9338 6921
Email: mailto:gerard.noon@business.nsw.gov.au

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