More Door and Window Products from GlassBuild Include Machinery, Hardware and Other Components

While many machinery companies opted not to exhibit at GlassBuild, others had smaller booths and didn't bring their machines to the show. One of these companies was Joseph, though the company did introduce a new product in a unique way.

The company unveiled what it touted as its "Next Green Production System"--its Sash Welder/Cleaner Pass-through Process. This includes a four-point welder with pre-loader, automated welder/cleaner transfer and a four-point cleaner. The machine can produce 1,000 squares per shift, and only requires a one-person operation. The compact machine only requires 308 square feet of floor space.

"The size of our booth is the amount of space this machine will take in a plant," said Chris Cooper, senior sales engineer.

And Carlson did bring a new machine to show--the ProMax Frame/Sash Clamp targeted toward smaller size manufacturers who make approximately 400 to 600 units per day.

The machine squares, clamps and fastens a variety of wood window frames or sash, and is designed for fast material placement and finished product removal. It is capable of producing more than 400 frames or sash per eight-hour shift, and features a programmable controller.

Wes Schneekolth, regional sales manager, stressed the benefits of having an affordable system for a smaller-sized manufacturer.

"They don't need a Cadillac when they can have a Chevy," he said.

He added that many companies conveyed to Carlson, "We like how you build a machine-we don't need all the bells and whistles."

Hardware and Components

Roto Hardware was one company that took more booth space at this year's show so it could showcase its new booth. The company also had new products on-hand, including Patio Life for the lift and slide market. "The handle lifts the sash and no force is required to lift the door from the sill," said Roto's Dan Gray.

"It's almost effortless," he said. "There is nothing like it."

Caldwell introduced its Mega Lift™ Hybrid Balance System, which is patent pending. The product supports a sash weight of 114 pounds, the average force to open it is 11 pounds, and to close is 26 pounds.

The response to the product from attendees can be found in one word according to Caldwell's John Kessler: "Wow."

"People are very interested in this product," he said. "It's ideal for heavy window applications."

He adds that the product, which has a 130-pound capacity, only requires a pair of balances.

"Anything that would come close to that would need four balances," he said.

Focus on Education and Energy

Edgetech IG had a unique theme at its booth that attracted many attendees. Companies who entered the booth could enter Edgetech University. Attendees were given a notebook, an insulating glass (IG) certification manual and a report card to take with them as the visited the different educational stations throughout the booth. All attendees who completed the program were entered into a drawing to win $2,000 toward IG certification.

Edgetech had representatives from the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance, the National Fenestration Rating Council and Architectural Testing to answer questions and help educate attendees concerning IG certification.

Also at the booth was a "MythBuster" station where, according to Edgetech's Brian Kress, a few big myths were being busted.

"Because our product is silicone foam, the competition says it must be metal to be strong.

They say you can't meet hurricane wind loads with silicone," said Kress.

Kress explained to attendees that according to extensive testing performed by Edgetech (which goes well beyond what any test would require) silicone can indeed perform extremely well.

"What makes us good is what the competition says makes us bad," says Kress.

He also pointed out that metal bars won't meet the thermal performance requirements that are coming soon.

Mark Silverberg, general manager for Technoform Glass Insulation, also talked about thermal performance.

"A lot of residential business is moving toward higher performing thermal products," he said. "That's a real shift in the market."

He adds that his company is getting a lot of calls concerning the new forthcoming ENERGY STAR requirements.

"We get a lot of calls from people who want to know how to improve the thermal performance of their windows."

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