Goliath's New Composite Resi Doors

Goliath Group's new high security composite door appeals for a combination of features that, together, offer a good package. At the heart of every Goliath door is an aluminium internal frame that combines a 9mm composite material with a high-density foam core that resists attack, while also providing noise and thermal insulation.

The core is bonded to tough, scratch resistant ABS skins that also provide looks that belie the strength of the door. The Goliath composite door is fitted with a high integrity, multi-point locking system, and high security 3D flag hinges add to the protection. A range of hardware options include lever/lever and lever/pad handles, in addition to furniture such as letter plates, knockers and numerals to complete the single-source package. For best performance and security Goliath always recommends that it be installed in a VEKA Matrix outer frame.

14 styles and finishes that include 4 colours and 3 woodgrains are available, all shown in detailed, unbranded sales literature which provides an additional closer for installers looking for a professional touch.

Steve Hancox, managing director of Goliath says: 'The door has been developed from experience at the sharp end. The features and performance that we offer with the Goliath composite door come from feedback from homeowners, not simply what we believe the market wants. It has already become a proven seller through our own test marketing.'

The Goliath composite door has been added to a complete range of windows, residential and patio doors manufactured for the trade by Goliath Group.

Tel: 01282 716611

HansenGlass Ups the Tempo...

Independent glass processor HansenGlass has introduced its TempoTM frameless glass doors in sizes up to 3m high and 1 .5m wide to allow greater design freedom. Used in conjunction with ThermoSpanTM structural glazing, TempoTM doors can form an integral part of a complete glass assembly with optimum glass size and minimal framing.

TempoTM frameless glass doors offer high performance safety and elegance and can now incorporate FortPlusTM heat soaked toughened glass in 10mm, 12mm, 15 and 19mm thicknesses. Fully fitted doors, featuring a wide range of architectural hardware, are available with a five day lead time and are factory tested to over one million cycles.

Standard TempoTM doors are supplied with hydraulic floor closers, although heavy-duty closers and concealed overhead closers can be provided. Non-standard locks and handles are also available. All fittings are held in stock at HansenGlass' factory based in Kirkby, Liverpool.

Logos, symbols or patterns can be applied to the glass during manufacture. Acid etched,
sandblasted and CeraphicTM screen printed designs are available to meet both corporate and manifestation requirements. TempoTM frameless glass doors are tested to BS952 Pt1&2 with FortPlusTM toughened and heat soaked to DIN 18516 Pt4.

Contact: Davina Thompson
Tel: 0151 545 3000
Email: mailto:sales@hansenglass.co.uk
Web: http://www.hansengroup.co.uk

Self-Closing Door Hinge System has Style Too!

Leeds-based hinge and fastener manufacturer SFS Intec has launched a new range of door hinges featuring a self-closing mechanism to create an integral self-closing hinge set.

The hinges, suitable for both timber and PVC internal and inwardly opening external doors, feature a range of cap options in a choice of finishes and styles, making them a good choice for architects working on prestige commercial and residential projects.

Developed initially by SFS' Italian designers, for the European hotel market where all doors have to have a self-closing mechanism, the hinge provides a self-closing solution which the company claims is around 50% cheaper than that provided by the traditional and often unsightly self-closers featuring on many UK doors.

The new designer cap and closer combination is available on SFS' Estetic 2D and 3D hinge ranges, which provide the scope for up to 5mm height adjustment on the door whilst in situ, and allow for the door leaf to be lifted off for decorating and repair as required.

Says SFS' Nigel Wood, 'This latest development offers major advances in both performance and aesthetics for those involved in door component specification. The new range will have particular appeal to office and hotel interior designers as well as to window and door makers looking to offer something special to the domestic market.'

Tel: 0113 208 5500
Email: mailto:bric@sfs.ch

New Lamicut Machine from Bystronic Lenhardt

The Bystronic Lenhardt product range has been extended by the introduction of a more advanced Lamicut-machine. Launched at Vitrum 2001, the new Lamicut provides a fully automated cutting line for laminated glass, float glass and low-E glass.

The improved version of the laminated glass-cutting unit gives clean cutting and separation of glass plates up to a maximum size of 3.300 mm x 6.100 mm and a cutting width of up to 3.700 mm or 4.700 mm. The Lamicut can process glass from 2 x 3 mm (min) thick to 2 x 8 mm (max) with a film thickness of 1 x 0.38 mm (min) to 12 x 0.38 (max).

The multifunctional CN-controlled positioning bridge feeds the glass to the cutting and separating bridge without any slippage. One of the Lamicuts key features includes the facility to equip the positioning bridge with an edge deletion unit for low-E glass or with a cutting tool for float glass.
A precision photocell scans the length of the glass plate and the position of the front edge to determine a reference value for the exact position of the glass. The positioning bridge grips the rear edge of the glass with clamps and feeds the plates to the cutting and separating bridge over air cushions. Another important feature includes the positioning bridge's ability to regulate the width of the separating gap.

The cutting and separating bridge performs all the required functions for cutting and separation of laminated glass without the need for changeover if the Lamicut is also used for X breaking float glass. This is where the most dramatic improvements have been made to the machinery.

The cutting and separating bridge has a double cutting head that simultaneously cuts the upper and lower sides of the laminated glass plate. This is followed by breaking using a breaklng bar below and a breaking roller above.

The Lamicut's infrared heating element is divided into sections. It is only activated for the length of the cut and not over the machine's entire cutting width - a feature that greatly reduces energy consumption and extends the life of the heating elements.

Ambient temperature does not affect the gap width as this is automatically regulated. The cutting blade separates the film after the positioning bridge has pulled back the glass plate the specified distance to create the cut gap. A laser beam serves as an additional alignment aid for diagonal cuts.

Multiple films can also be separated without the need for burrs. During this process the upper side of the glass is never touched and it is held from below by suction cups. This ensures quality production standards for processing low-E glass.

Bystronic Lenhardt's new Lamicut includes a fast separating cut where the glass plate is pulled apart gradually. This prevents film draw and allows a clean and precise separation cut without burrs.

After the X cut and separation the subplates are automatically rotated 90deg. by the suction cups beneath. The position bridge then moves to the rear edge of the subplate and guides it once more to the cutting and separating bridge. The finished cut glass plates are then manually removed via an air cushion table. For larger glass plates hydraulically controlled tilting arms vertically position the plates to simplify their removal.

The new Lamicut from Bystronic AG is flexible and the optional adddition of an edge deletion device for low-E glass or a cutting tool for float glass are features that help to provide high production standards. A number of other key elements include the automatic dressing device with integrated dust extraction, the swivel-cutting tool that provides precise cutting of geometric shapes from float glass plates and the 3-axis-AC direct drive that guarantees maximum precision cutting of any shape.

Steve Powell comments, 'Although the Lamicut is equipped with a number of technically sophisticated features, great emphasis is placed on its design to be both efficient and user-friendly during operation. The advanced Lamicut has been designed so that it can be configured to meet individual customers needs and once again demonstrates Bystronic AG's ability to provide state of the art technology for the modern flat glass processing industry.'

Tel: 01952 223377
Email: mailto:sales.glass.uk@bystronic.ch

Latest KBE lmprovements Bring lnstaller and User Benefits

KBE Window Systems has introduced some innovations and improvements to its
profiles.

New Wedge Solves Problem
A new fully compatible interlocking wedge (pictured left) suitable for use with 'Egress-type' friction stays which are growing in popularity. The new wedges, available in white or brown are self-locating and supersede the existing KBE wedges.

Latest Block Is Super Saver
KBE's new run-up block for its Chamfered System simply clips into place, saving the cost of a screw and reducing fitting time. It is available now in both white and brown.

Get Double Hung With These Horns
In response to customer demand, KBE is offering Decorative Horns for fitment to the lower edge of Fully Chamfered Casement Window System sash profiles. The horns are available in white, mahogany and golden oak finishes. Enhancing the aesthetic appeal of windows, they simulate the appearance of double hung sashes.

Tel.: +44 1827 312513
Iternet: http://www.kbe-online.de
E-Mail: sales@kbe.info

DMG Introduces Ultrasonic Glass Cutting

Ceramics, glass and stellite may have brought the benefits of low weight and improved resistance to chemicals, temperature and wear but machining components from these materials can be difficult, time-consuming and costly. Now, thanks to its acquisition of Herrnan Sauer GmbH and Co KG, Gildemeister claims it has introduced a revolutionary and economical cutting method that boasts a fivefold increase in productivity compared to conventional methods, excellent surface quality and assured process safety.

Herman Sauer has over 30 years experience in ultrasonic technology which has now been combined with the metal cutting prowess of the Gildemeister Group. The result of this collaboration is the new DMS Ultrasonic, offered in two variations with 350mm and 500mm X-paths. Deckel Maho is responsible for the manufacture of the basic machines and Sauer, for equipping them with highly developed ultrasonic components. These include the ultrasonic spindle and generator, oscillation sensors and the diamond tooling. Special requirements such as micro-machining can also be accommodated within the product programme.

The DMG/Sauer combination allows a milling, boring or grinding tool studded with self-sharpening industrial diamonds to be driven into a workpiece at a frequency of 20kHz or 20,000 times per second. As a result, even the hardest materials can be machined at high feed power with low contact forces. This protects both workpiece and tool and reduces process costs.

The ultrasonic process starts as a high-frequency electrical signal that is converted to a mechanical movement. A booster subsequently amplifies the oscillation amplitude, in effect causing the diamond cutting tool to expand and contract in a pulsing action. At peak of amplitude, the diamonds impact on the workpiece, breaking the surface into miniscule particles.

The simultaneous rotation of the tool, at speeds of between 3,000 and 40,000 rpm mainly achieves workpiece roundness but also removes excess particles from the working zone. These are eventually removed with water. Rinsing is deployed during grinding whilst rinsing and cooling respectively are achieved through the spindle during milling and drilling.

Process safety and accuracy, even for precision drilling of up to 0.3mm in diameter, is ensured by the CNC control. Intelligent control algorithms guarantee smooth functioning through continuous process monitoring and the minute adjustment of process variables such as amplitude, feed and rotational speed.

Two types of process control are employed by the DMS Ultrasonic machines to measure physical parameters constantly. The ADR adaptive control monitors the tool to achieve an optimum feed rate whilst the ACC acoustic control monitors the acoustic process signals emitted by the workpiece. ADR and ACC can be employed individually or in combination for maximum flexibility.

Tel: 01582 570661

WACKER sealant for structural glazing applications

WACKER has developed a new sealant with excellent adhesion properties, especially for structural glazing applications: ELASTOSIL SG 20. This novel product is based on the innovative and patented Alkoxy Technology, and the only by-product it releases on curing is odorless alcohol. The sealant exhibits outstanding mechanical properties and bonds well to a wide range of material substrates. The product was unveiled at VETECO in Madrid last month (May 2002).

ELASTOSIL® SG 20 is a one-part system for bonded glazing. The silicone rubber, which cures at room temperature, is neutral curing and highly resistant to UV and weathering.

In addition to the novel, physiologically harmless curing technology, customers can also rely on proven WACKER quality:
Tested to European EOTA Guidelines (EOTA ETAG No. 002);
Tested to U.S. ASTM standards;
Extremely strict quality control during production of ELASTOSIL® SG 20 (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001)
Quality controls during processing: all customers have access to the testing service at a WACKER Glass Competence Center ;

Aesthetically attractive all-glass facades have become international symbols of modern design and transparency the world over. Last year, about 10 square miles of curtainwalling were constructed using this bonding technology. In some markets, structural glazing is showing yearly growth of 25%.

WACKER's technological leadership in certain market areas is the result of its strong research investment. Its R&D programs are integral parts of its market-driven, customer-oriented business processes. With an R&D budget that is consistently about 5 to 6 percent of sales, WACKER is regularly among the world's top 15 chemical companies.

For further news visit www.wacker.com

Advantage Pyroguard

How to combine the attractive appearance of two of the most successful new patterned glass products with the performance of fire resistant glass; that was the task set for CGI International by a number of their fire glass users in the UK and overseas.

The solution was straightforward for CGI’s Pyroguard Laminated fire glass, which depends on the specially formulated resin interlayer to provide the 'fire stop', with the glass layers providing the lesser role as the 'carrier'for the interlayer.

Explains CGI’s sales director, Steve Ridgway, 'The standard Pyroguard Clear product uses glass layers of 3mm clear float glass and can be cut easily by our local stockist network to give a quick service.

'Much of our glass is used in the partitioning business and whilst clear glass is the norm, some areas for private office and meeting room use, need to offer privacy.

'This has usually been catered for by acid etching, sandblasting or filming on the clear glass; a costly and time consuming process and one that may actually invalidate the tested fire rating on certain glass types.

'The laminating process for Pyroguard can incorporate the attractive new patterned and satin finish glasses as one of the original base glasses and this is a cost effective way to achieve the excellent appearance shown in the photograph.

'Of major importance is the additional knowledge that the fire rating will not be compromised in any way.'

The new glasses are Pyroguard Satin and Pyroguard Master and are available now from CGI or their stockist network.

Tel: 020 7960 6060
Email: mailto:info@cgii.co.uk
Web: http://www.cgii.co.uk

Decorative Glass Sees the Light - Safe2Bond is not Just About Health and Safety

Manchester based Decorative Glass has converted to Safe2Bond for decorative glass bevel bonding.
Geoff Pollitt of Decorative Glass says, 'We are a small business specialising in producing decorative glass and we have a considerable reputation for high quality. Therefore whatever we do must not jeopardise that quality, yet at the same time we would like to reduce our costs. Having read the various debates in the trade press about Safe2Bond versus UV adhesive I decided to investigate further.

'I obtained a trial bottle of the low cure Safe2Bond and a lamp tube to fit into my hand held light source. During trials I found that low cure works extremely well, and in my opinion it was far easier to wipe and clean the bevels than it was with the UV adhesive I had been using.

'I have always used UV adhesive and found it to be a good product, and it worked reasonably well using a hand held UV lamp. However like many other people I was always conscious that the lamp produces UV rays and I had been concerned about this especially when positioning the bevels and holding them until part-cured.

'Leaving possible health issues to one side, I would not change over to Safe2Bond until I knew that the product worked equally as well as UV, and that the costs were favourable.

'This easy to clean adhesive not only saves time when applying bevels, but the bevels seem to have a brighter sparkle to them. I also found I was getting far less ‘bubbling’ than I have in the past. Less bubbling means fewer rejects and this further improves my bottom line.

'Safe2Bond seems to go further than UV adhesive. Possibly because the product is easy to use. Over the past three months my bevel bonding adhesive bill has been lower than previously yet my output has increased slightly.'

David Clegg of UAP says, 'Many people come to us and our distributors because of the issues raised. In our opinion most, if not all of our customers would continue to use Safe2Bond even if there were no perceived health and safety benefits.'

Tel:0161 763 5290
Email: mailto:univ.imports@ukonline.co.uk
Web: http://www.universal-imports.com

Winlock's New Vigilant Handle

Winlock has introduced the 'Vigilant', a new offset espagnolette window handle combining stylish design with reliability, ease of operation and a competitive price.

The offset handle ensures comfort for user's knuckles even in tight-fitting applications and incorporates a push pad for easy de-latching. Vigilant will be available in left and right hand formats and a variety of locking options. Finishes include white and brass effect.

At the heart of Vigilant is Winlock's fourth generation locking mechanism incorporating a locking bolt made from DuPont Elvamide a composite material that replaces the need for a traditional metal bolt. Clever design enables this bolt to equal the performance and reliability of its metal ancestor and Vigilant passes the 50,000 cycles test (five times more than the new European Standard (EN 131126).

'Indeed Vigilant beats all European Standards and the new composite bolt even produces a satisfyingly audible click when in use,' says Winlock Security's sales director Philip Swann. 'Vigilant is a highly cost effective handle, and yet it offers top level quality and reliability. It demonstrates Winlock's ability to improve design and control costs using new materials, I believe this handle has a great future.'

Tel: 01952 680178
Email: mailto:sales@winlock.uk.com
Web: http://www.winlock.uk.com

LOW LEVEL HIGH PERFORMANCE

Volume manufacturing and restricted product choice invariably go hand in hand. But Indigo Products Limited proves the exception to the rule.

Understanding customer needs, combined with professional production planning systems, enables Indigo to offer an extensive portfolio of products which meets the most demanding requirements, across every sector of the market.

One example of Indigo's product flexibility can be found within their door range. Already offering a choice of standard, low level pvc and low level aluminium 25mm threshold, Indigo has now added a new low threshold product, designed to comply with Part M of the Building Regulations.

Supplied with a gold anodised threshold and drip bar, the product incorporates two brush seals and is suitable for use in the majority of cases where disabled access is required.

The most recent addition to Indigo's window range is a 28mm ovolo bead, featuring a low level co-extruded gasket. Flush to the top of the bead, the new E gasket also provides a complimentary appearance to the other side of the sealed unit and is available with a choice of finishes.

These products are readily available, but are just two examples of a number of products which will be launched during 2002, despite their already extensive portfolio.

Being able to cater for the diverse requirements of its customers has always been part of Indigo's philosophy. Perhaps that's why they remain one of the few to provide not only the option of internal or external beading, but also the choice of fully welded or mechanically jointed product. So if you want more choice from your fabricator, call Indigo on 01922 743202.

One For Three from Aztec

The problem of having to stock different conservatory roof system components to accommodate different glazing thicknesses from 16mm- 35mm has been overcome wlth a development by Aztec Conservatory Roof Systems.

Most systems on the market require separate components depending on whether 16mm, 25mm and 35mm structured polycarbonate is being used, increasing stockholding commitment and the complexity of roof building for the fabricator and installer.

Aztec has used its expertise from 40 years' experience in plastic extrusion and conservatory roof fabrication to design a system that uses one common ridge for all of the three main polycarbonate formats, and the popular conservatory designs of Victorian, Edwardian and P-shape standard roof pitch. The technology used to enable accommodation of 16mm-35mm glazing is also being added to Aztec's new low pitch roof system, enabling the same degree of flexibility on pitches down to 2.5deg, depending on the individual situation/construction design.

Aztec's solution to the 16mm-35mm issue is a plastic ridge gasket, that clips into the aluminium ridge assembly, and is located in position depending on whether 16mm, 25mm or 35mm glazing is being used. The gasket is designed so that, regardless of glazing format, a weather-tight seal is maintained on the exterior face.

Colin Bennett, Aztec Conservatory Roof Systems' managing director, comments, 'Our development team has years of first-hand experience of conservatory roof fabrication and installation, so appreciates the considerations and complexities of building and fitting a roof. This knowledge has enabled us to design the simplest solution to meet the changing trend in roofs: the use of larger format polycarbonate, needed to meet new Building Regulations, and the spanning capability for the larger conservatories increasingly being built.

'As a result, fabricators and installers need only one ridge component, regardless of glazing specification. This reduces stockholding requirements, which tie up both cash and warehousing, and simplifies thejob on site.

'The 16mm-35mm ridge compliments Aztec's strategy in roof systems, of minimizing the number of core components and their complexity of fitting, to produce a system that is as simple as possible to fabricate and install.'

Contact: Colin Bennett
Tel: 01942 720044
Email: mailto:enquiries@aztecsystems.co.uk
Web: http://www.aztecsystems.co.uk

Making Delivery Deadlines a Doddle

Winstar Evolution, the latest manufacturing software from Business Micros, recognises individual customer delivery requirements within the overall fabrication process. In an industry where fast turnaround on orders gives crucial competitive edge, this feature will become a valuable production planning tool for window manufacturers.

When product and customer information is first entered into the system at the order processing stage, Evolution will recognise the individually determined delivery agreement of that particular trade customer. Special requests are also easily accommodated. Evolution will then plan production accordingly, to ensure the more urgent orders are put through the system and despatched quickly.

'Service differentiation is key to gaining competitive advantage in a crowded market place. Information and intelligence are the only tools available to us to see the hidden opportunities which give us those advantages,' said Business Micros director Jim Cronie. 'Your software can open up a wealth of information which you would previously never have known existed. Evolution makes this so easy for the fabricator - seamlessly sifting through the information to create a fuller and more telling picture of what can ultimately be achieved.'

In addition, Evolution can create route maps for drivers based on the quickest, shortest and cheapest routes. By incorporating this with an independent vehicle GPS locator system, the fabricator has far greater control over the precision of delivery times.

'Bar code scanning at every stage of the delivery cycle gives the processing office immediate knowledge of the location of a product. From the storage location, to the delivery vehicle, to putting it in the hands of a customer every item is sent to its final resting place with maximum efficiency and minimum error.' added Jim.

Tel: 01848 330588
Email: mailto:info@businessmicros.co.uk
Web: http:www.businessmicros.co.uk

Security Blind offers the same level of security as steel bars or grilles

A new range of products for the domestic and commercial security markets, which provide all the benefits of security bars, grilles and shutters for windows and doors, with the look and operation of a conventional vertical blind, has been developed by Security Blinds Ltd of Rotherham.

The Security Blind product range appears to be a conventional vertical blind, but it offers the same level of security as a set of steel bars or a steel grill. This is achieved by 12mm steel rods which are hidden within each blind and a locking mechanism which allows the blind to operate as a conventional blind, whilst maintaining the protection of what is effectively an invisible steel grille across the window or door.

The blinds feature steel outer frame and main frames, steel hinge pins and shoot bolts, lockable handles, anti-rotation bars, and aluminium extruded blades. The blinds can be custom painted or powdercoated to clients requirements, or customised using fabric or photograph finishes. They can also be provided in fire retardant materials.

The blinds can be designed to fit all premises; including residential, commercial and industrial, and in addition to peace of mind the blinds offer thermal and sound insulation qualities. They can also be easily used in conjunction with other security products such as alarms.

Chairman of Security Blinds Ltd, Brian Wilkins says:
'In these days of increased criminal activity there is a greater need for people to have the peace of mind that their premises and belongings are secure. But on the other hand it's not pleasant to live and work behind bars on windows, and our Security Blind gives them the benefit of both worlds.'
'We believe the potential for the Security Blind range is huge as they can be used anywhere where security is an issue, whether that be hospitals and schools, domestic homes, shops or offices, industrial premises, banks, or even building societies and post offices.' added Mr Wilkins.

The Security Blind system which was developed with assistance from product development experts from Sheffield Hallam University's School of Engineering, has already been fitted by one of the High Street banks and after intensive testing by Sold Secure, the UK standards body for security design in products - the Security Blind became the only product of it's type to receive the prestigious Silver Award status. The blinds also exceed the requirements of the British Standard for Window Security (BS 7950) and European Standard ENV 1627 Grade 3.

Contact: Brian Wilkins
Tel: 01709 363535

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