Glass Processing & Technology Shows Glass Industry Aiming at KBB Market
EMAP's Glass Processing & Technology show - held last week at the NEC, Birmingham - held a number of pleasant surprises for any visitors with an interest in kitchen or bathroom design. Ritec has launched a new generaton of its ClearShield Low-M (low maintenance) glass, which a number of shower manufacturers (including Aquata) are offering as a standard add-on. DR Services offered a number of glazing solutions for the shower manufacturer, while also showing a new application for 'switchable' glass. RegaLead, meanwhile, introduced its fused glass panels, which the company reckons is a must for the kitchen cabinet market.
New
ClearShield Glass Protect Range Low-M Glass for the Future
During
GP&T 2003 Ritec exhibited a more
effective protection for glass: the ClearShield Glass Protect Range. This
new generation of ClearShield, with an increased performance, makes the
protection stronger and more durable.
Many
glass processors world-wide have already adopted the new technology for
the production of Low-M (Low-Maintenance) Glass and are satisfied by the
new benefits it provides.
The award-winning polymer used is still the same. However, increased concentration
of chemical bonding generated by a new and more active catalyst creates
a much denser layer of protection on the glass surface, bonded through
covalent linkages. This has had a significant impact on ClearShield's
performance. It is key to the long lasting protective barrier that ClearShield
Glass Protect provides against glass corrosion from moisture and alkalinity.
This now means ClearShield Glass Protect has a higher resistance to attack
from organic and inorganic contaminants and is even easier to clean.
The proven durability of ClearShield Glass Protect means it is suitable
for applying to conservatory roofs, replacement windows and architectural
glazing. The new ClearShield Glass Protect Range also has a special formulation
for use onto sandblasted glass.
ClearShield Sandblast Protect not only provides an effective protection
from finger marks and other dirt that prevents staining, maintains a beautiful
appearance and makes the glass Low-M, but also makes the application process
easier. Less excess polymer is left onto the glass surface, for a quicker
clean down of the treated surface.
Web: http://www.ritec.co.uk
Switchable
Glass in new Application from DR Services
D
R Services made its major exhibition debut at GP&T where the company
featured its solution-led approach to a wide range of specialist glazing
situations.
D
R Services specialises in glass entrance doors, folding and sliding doors,
shower enclosures, balustrades and canopies, working in London and across
the country from its HQ in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. From here the company
provides clients with a complete service, comprising an onsite survey,
glass cutting, etching and sandblasting, a wide range of hinges, weather
and water seals, locks, catches, pivots and patches and a team of experts
for on-site fitting and installation.
One of the highlights of the D R Services stand was the new Priva-Lite
panels. Applicable to the commercial, retail and specialist security sectors,
these switchable screens can be transformed from completely clear to simply
translucent at the touch of a control.
The fact that the system is powered by mains AC current is of crucial
significance in security situations such as banks because the screen is
actualiy switching from opaque to clear 50 times a second. This makes
it possible to adapt surveillance cameras to provide a continuous image
of the scene beyond the screen.
Add to this the fact that Priva-Lite laminates can be produced in any
specification all the way up to bullet proof, and it can be seen that
the screens can be utilised in the most sensitive of locations.
A further sophistication of Priva-Lite is the use of the screens for back
projection. Rather than paying out thousands for a plasma television,
one of the high specification laminates is located as part of the glass
shopfront. It will afford an uninterrupted view until an image is projected
for public viewing and the Priva-Lite automatically becomes a screen.
Tel: 01992 447122
Email: mailto:drservices@themail.co.uk
The
Fusion glass tile system is to be launched by RegaLead
in January 2004. A preview of the range was seen on the Regalead stand
at the Glass Processing and Technology Exhibition. The products are small
pieces of fused glass that can be applied to flat glass using either the
UV-Tek fusion adhesive or a two part epoxy adhesive system.
The Fusion tiles look especially attractive when used in conjunction with
Sandblast/Etched Glass or Brilliant Cutting. No lead is required to cover
the edges. These types of products have been sold widely across Europe
over the last few years and make attractive additions to doors, kitchen
cabinets and glazed partitions.
Continual demonstrations on the Regalead stand showed the latest developments
in bevel bonding using UV-Tek luminaires and adhesives, RegaBevels and
RegaJewels and the Glass Eye 2000R software package.
Tel: 0161 946 1164
Email: mailto:sales@regalead.co.uk
Web: http://www.regalead.com