Once again, the stone industry looked to the
Marmomacc exhibition in Verona, Italy, and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas
in Las Vegas, NV, for the latest introductions in stone
products, stoneworking equipment and supplies and installation and maintenance
products. The following is a look at some of the items that were on display at
these two important trade
shows:
Stone
Suppliers
Andrade - Surreal, a unique material with waves of
light and dark green from the company’s own quarry
www.andradesa.com.br
Antolin
Luigi & C. - slabs of semi-precious stone accented with Swarovski crystal
designs by Fiona Swarovski; designs in Shell Stone for a variety of
applications, such as accents and furnishings
www.antolini.it
Best
Cheer - honeycomb-backed stone panels that can be used for applications where
weight is a concern, such as elevator cabs
www.bestcheer.com
Bramagran - Pictor, which features
golden waves on a black background; Nougat, which has a rich tan color, with
lighter tan waves and white accents
www.bramagran.com.br
Bresciana
Graniti S.p.A. - promoted Birds granite, a material quarried in Switzerland and
featuring waves of gold and silver with spots of black and a brownish tint -
resembling the look of cheetah skin
www.bsgraniti.it
CaesarStone
- introduced a new finish called “Alligator,” providing a texture to its quartz
surfaces that resembles the look and feel of reptile skin
www.caesarstoneus.com
Cajugram
- Brown Abstract, which has a rusty brown color and distinctive veining in
shades of light brown, black and white
www.cajugram.com
Cold
Spring Granite Co. - offered a wide selection of stone products, including one
of its newest materials, Kasota Valley Limestone, a golden cream-colored
stone from the heart of the Minnesota River Valley that is available in a range
of thicknesses and ideal for exterior cladding due to its lower moisture
absorption rate and low porosity; also promoted its Pacific finish, which gives
an appearance partly between polished and antiqued
www.coldspringgranite.com
Dakota
Granite Co. - offered Dakota Mahogany granite, a material consisting of warm
shades of red and brown that is quarried at the company’s headquarters in
Milbank, SD
www.dakgran.com
Decolores
- Bronzite, which has a brown color with black, white and gold
veining
www.decolores.com.br
Dimpomar
- showcased Creme Regina limestone from Portugal that can be used for both
residential and commercial applications
www.dimpomar.com
Gem
Granites - displayed Lava Jewel granite, a rich bold material of shades of deep
red complemented by lighter tones of red and pink with wavy veining running
throughout
www.gemgranites.com
Granite
Mart Ltd. - showcased Lavender Blue granite from its own quarry in India,
consisting of variations of dark and light gray tones dotted by flecks of
burgundy; also displayed Tan Brown granite, a rich blend of dark brown, light
brown and charcoal gray
www.granitemartindia.com
Gramil
- Cassis, which has waves of light and dark violet color, with brown and golden
accents
www.gramil.com
Granitex
- prominently displayed two granites from Africa: Sage Brush, a blend of sand
colors, and Oxford Gold, a combination of shades of gold and rust with darker
undertones
www.granitex.it
Grein
- Cosmic Gold granite, which has alternating waves of black and
gold
www.grein.com
Itapoama
- Moon Night, which is off-white with gray patterning, and Super White, which
has a lighter tone with gray veining - both dolomitic marbles, which have the
hardness of a quartzite
www.itapoama.com.br
JMS
Jura Marble Suppliers - an assortment of Jura marble quarried in Germany,
offered in various tile sizes and slabs with different finish options
www.juramarble.com
La
Ponte Marmi - displayed a large selection of stone products, including Namib
Green granite
www.laponte.it
Lundhs
Labrador - a full range of granite from Norway, including Blue Pearl, Emerald
Pearl, Blue Pearl Fjord, Royal Blue TFV, Royal Blue TFM and Marina Blue Star;
Norwegian Rose marble
www.lundhs.no
M+Q - a range of
exotic materials and onyx, including Onyx Paradise, which has waves of honey,
rust and light orange
www.mqitalia.com
Magnitos -
Sunrise, which has varying shades of gold and yellow, with maroon accents; an
unnamed silver material with white accents
www.magnitos.com.br
Marbrasa -
Sonora Golden granite, which has a light gold color with darker
accents
www.marbrasa.com.br
Marcolini
Marmi - developed a breakthrough treatment, using a specialized resin, that
allows its stone materials to be self-cleaning, anti-bacterial water- and
oil-repellant for the life of the material
www.marcolini.it
Marmi
Bruno Zanet - in celebration of its 50th anniversary showcased several new
materials, including Iceberg white quartz from Brazil with an almost uniform
color based on nuances of white, gray and black
www.brunozanet.com
Marmi
La Precisa - exhibited Crystal Glass Stone, an Italian-made material consisting
of natural stone and glass
www.laprecisa.it
Marmocil
- Magma Black, which has a light black background and distinctive waves of
light violet and white; Emerald quartz, which has a light green
tone
www.marmocil.com.br
Meshoppen
- introduced a sample version of its stone rocking bench, and it also featured
its extensive line of thin stone veneer
www.meshoppenstone.com
Pemagran
- Ibere Mari Blue, which has a dramatic pattern that intertwines waves of soft
black and white, available in leather and polished finishes
www.pemagran.com.br
Pokarna
- introduced a sample of its quartz surfacing material that will be manufactured
at its own facility in India and soon available in 15 to 20 colors to the U.S.
market; Coral Gold granite from India, comprised of large flecks of gold and
gray as well as shades of brown and hints of black veining
www.pokarna.com
Rock
of Ages Corp. - Galaxy Blue granite from its quarry in the
Ukraine
www.rockofages.com
Santa
Clara - Cristalita Honey, which has a white/light golden tone and Cristalita
Blue, which has a bluish-white tone - both are very hard, translucent materials
quarried in Espirito Santo, Brazil
www.msclara.com.br
Serra
Norte - Mascavo granite, which has a light golden brown color with rust-colored
waves and accents
www.serranortegranitos.com.br
Tab
India - A full array of stone products, including Teak sandstone from India,
consisting of a warm blend of color that reflects the hues of the
desert
www.tabindia.com
TexaStone
Quarries - featured a variety of its stone line, especially highlighting
TexaStone Pink, a pastel pink-colored limestone as well as Hadrian, a
cream-colored limestone - both are suitable for commercial and residential
projects in the interior and/or the exterior
www.texastone.com
Tekmar
- showcased a large selection of new material from Turkey, including Crema
Extra marble, consisting of a soft blend of beige tones that creates a creamy
look; Thalia Beige Antique marble, a light-colored stone accented by dark tan
flecks and a textured surface; New Carrara marble, a field of white broken up
by streaks of gray veining; Crystal White marble, a soft shade of white with a
very subtle hint of gray
www.tekmarble.com
Tracomal
- White Macaubas quartzite, which has a bone-colored surface with golden
veining
www.tracomal.com.br
Tureks
- Skyline Collection, featuring white marble with gray veining from
Turkey
www.tureks.com
Vermont
Quarries - featured Mountain White, which has a white surface with grey veining
as well as a low absorption rate, making it highly suitable for kitchen
countertops
www.vermontquarries.com
World
Wide Stone Corp. - showcased an assortment of travertine from its own quarries
in Mexico, including Authentic Durango Veracruz Con Vena (vein-cut) travertine
- offered in a full range of products, including tiles, mosaics, trims, decos
and custom items such as vanity tops, sinks, balustrades and columns
www.durangostone.com
Ylamaa
Group - Baltic Green granite, which has a dark green color with lighter green
accents and a small grain structure
www.ylamaagroup.fi
Fabrication
Equipment, Tools and Accessories
Alpha
Professional Tools - announced an exclusive agreement for the distribution and
service of the Ghines product line within the U.S., including diamond and
profiling tools, routers, cost-effective stationary contouring machinery and
innovative dust collection systems for stone fabrication shops
www.alpha-tools.com
Advanced
Industrial Machinery (AIM) - displayed the MasterJetSaw 3200 automated stone
fabricating system - combining two cutting methods to deliver increased
capability with lower operating costs
www.aimsaws.com
Amerisink
- introduced its AS317 model sink measuring 35 x 18 x 10 and offered in a half
rounded shape in single or double basin
www.amerisink.com
Artisan
- featured its line of 0 radius 16-gauge 304 stainless steel sinks available in
23 different models
www.artisansinks.com
Barranca
Diamond - showcased the new BD-5000 5-inch wet air grinder, designed to
accommodate 4- or 5-inch diamond cup wheels; also displayed the BD-1272 wet
cutting rail saw with 13-Amp direct-drive motor, 130-inch length of cut and a
tilting head for precise 45-degree miter cuts up to 2¼-inch deep
www.barrancadiamond.com
Beckart
Environmental - introduced its filtration system, which reuses processed wastewater
for 100% recycling and is designed for flow rates of 10 GPM - 200 GPM,
promoting cost savings through reduced water costs and the elimination of
disposable filters
www.beckart.com
Blick
Industries - demonstrated the new Proliner 8 digitizing system from Prodim
that offers a portable and quick way to digitize a job on site; the Large
Mechanical Clamp designed specifically for stone fabrication with a large
clamping area and range as well as the durability needed in stone-processing
facilities
www.blickindustries.com
Braxton-Bragg
- the G-Clip system for undermounting sinks with all types of stone
countertops, requiring no adhesives and basic fabrication tools; the Meta Jaw
carry clamp which can carry tops up to 2.5 inches thick; the Omni-Cubed
backsplash polishing station; an EZ Dishwasher Bracket that allows for
universal dishwasher installation
www.braxton-bragg.com
Breton
- the RoboCup system for CNC vacuum pods, which allows for automated position
on the vacuum pods on the workbench as well as piece loading and unloading; in
this system, the spindle automatically selects the double-acting pods from the
store and places them on the workbench in the proper position
www.breton.it
Cemar
Electro - introduced the CL-800B Series Bridge Saw Lasers for stone cutting
available in 10, 15 and 30mW
www.cemarelectro.com
Chemcore
- featured its line of vessel porcelain vanity bowls as well as its acrylic
sinks
www.dovae.com
CMS/Brembana
- the SprintJet 5-axis bridge saw/waterjet combination, which can also cut
miters
www.cms.it
Comandulli
- the Omega 100 edge processor, which has two more polishing spindles than the
Omega 60, resulting in higher processing speeds
www.comandulli.com
Crystalline
Enterprises - featured its QuickQuote software that quickly allows fabricators
to give potential customers an accurate quote and drawing, while also storing
the company’s entire product catalog, all in one place
www.crstallyneonline.com
Dellas
- offered a display of diamond discs, including standard discs, silent
sandwiched discs for minimizing noise and discs with wide slots and narrow
slots for precision cutting
www.dellas.it
Diamant
Boart - XOC blades, which have been engineered for increased speed, high
performance and superior quality; a new CNC tooling range, which allows Diamant
Boart to offer a complete range of tools
www.diamant-boart.com
Dongsin
- pads for use with inline polishers
www.diaflx.com
Edgemarc
Tools - introduced its new FabMaster, a multi-purpose stoneworking center for
profiling, polishing, cutting or drilling; AC-DC Seam Master, a new model for
2008 featuring fully adjustable leveling feet that slide in the rail to allow
plenty of room to work the seam without removing the unit - suction cups
available in both 4.5 and 6 inches
www.edgemarctools.com
Endurance
Machines - introduced its Vortex Tumbler and showcased its Tornado Tumbler;
both feature a proprietary barrel design and a gearbox drive, while the Tornado
was built with customer requests in mind
www.endurancemachines.com
ETemplate
System - promoted its electronic templating system, which is available in a
“rent-to-own” program that allows customers to begin with a minimal upfront
investment
www.etemplatesystem.com
Fabricator’s
Choice - the new PhotoTop Version 3.0 digital photo templating system;
cadtofab digital shop integration, a templating-to-installation shop
consulting and design service to help plan growth - with analysis of existing
space, facilities, equipment and computer systems
www.fabchoice.com
F.
Barkow - the Backsplash caddy, designed to hold three backsplash sections, each
up to 8 feet long
www.barkow.com
Flow
- featured its 87,000-PSI Stone Crafter, which according to the company has
proof of being the fastest waterjet
www.flowcorp.com
GMM
- displayed a full line of bridge saws, including the GMM Lexta, an automatic
electronic bridge sawing-profiling machine with tilting head for blades up to
825 mm (32.48”) diameter; the GMM Brio, one of the company’s New Generation of
bridge saws that features a 180-degree rotating head; and the GMM Litox, a
5-axis fully automatic bridge saw
www.gmm.it
Granite City
Tool - offered its Extreme High Speed (EHS) technology, including 5-inch turbo
blades; the Q4 Polishing Drum Wheels that present a new concept for polishing
sinkholes, as they will wear well for ¾- and 1 ¼-inch-sized materials - a
rubber center gives it flex to follow the contour
www.granitecitytool.com
Groves,
Inc. - offered a full array of stone handling and storage systems, including
the Truck-Mounted A-Frame with 24,000-pound capacity that holds 12,000 pounds
on each side and six mounting plates used for bolting to truck or trailer; and
the Heavy-Duty Shop Cart with 2,500-pound capacity and four ratchet hold-down
straps to secure load
www.groves.com
Intermac
America - introduced the Master 30, a multi-functional 3-axis work center featuring
onboard programming while the machine is working, ability to perform online
diagnostics and software upgrades, reduced maintenance costs and simple,
user-friendly interface; also equipped with the company’s new iCam 3D CAD/CAM
software
www.intermacamerica.com
KMT
Waterjet Systems - demonstrated the StreamlineTM Pro, a new ultra high pressure
pump with water pressure up to 90,000 PSI/6.200 bar; also features a newly
designed pneumatic valves that contain a new redesigned seal and stem for
longer, more predictable life, which enables longer production runs resulting
in increased production of parts
www.kmtwaterjet.com
Keystone
- is now offering a Nicolai high-speed CNC tool line, which includes M3Pro technology
and “ultra-glo” CNC resin profiling wheels
www.keystonetools.com
Komo
- introduced the Summit Stone Machining Center, a 24 HP CNC router with a
14-inch programmable Z axis, as well as the Meridian bridge saw, which features
an Omron PLC control and a 14-inch programmable Z axis
www.komo.com
Laser
Products - the LT-55 XL Precision Laser templator, which features Samsung’s Q1
Ultra TabletPC, completely rewritten software, a larger screen, digital camera,
wireless Internet capabilities and a physical keyboard
www.lasersquare.com
Löffler
- introduced KSL So, a new edge polishing machine
www.loeffler-mb.com
Marmoelettromeccanica
- SHS (Super High Speed) profile wheels for CNC machines, which are designed
for quick grinding and polishing, available in North America from Regent Stone
Products
www.marmoelettro.it
Marmo
Meccanica - introduced the LCR, a specialized linear polishing machine for flat
edges that can process a pencil round profile in sizes up to 4 cm and chamfers
up to 6 cm
www.marmomeccanica.com
Monument
Toolworks - the Gorilla Grip seam-setting tool, which utilizes an electric
vacuum pump that provides an extremely powerful and consistent attachment to
the stone, releasing only when needed; cam adjusters allow installers to level
the seam perfectly
www.monumenttoolworks.com
Mitsubishi/MC
Machinery - the Suprema 4-axis waterjet for shops producing more complex parts,
which can cut materials up to 6 inches thick
www.mitsubishi-world.com
Montresor
- displayed the Luna 540, a smaller-sized automatic edge polisher for straight
and bullnose edges for marble and granite
www.montresor.net
Nemi
- introduced its backsplash clamp as well as its tool setter, which allows
users to setup tools offline while their machines are
running
www.nemi.com
Northwood
Stoneworks - the FabCenter FC138SW, which is a combination CNC saw and CNC
stone router, built to be affordable for shops that only need to process four
or five slabs per day
www.northwoodstoneworks.com
Park
Industries - Synergy Inventory software, which allows fabricators to maximize
material inventory and yield by having an easy-to-use inventory management
database; the system tracks each slab of material from the time it is
photographed at the Pathfinder Digital Photo station until it is has been
processed, with remnants barcoded and filed in the inventory
database
www.parkindustries.com
Pearl Abrasive - introduced new sizes
of its reactor blade, including a 12 inch and an 18 inch; as well as the
Coaction CX10 saw, which allows users to quickly cut large pieces of tile in a
small, compact water controlled machine
www.pearlabrasive.com
Pedrini
- demonstrated the Universal M930TG bridge saw with a twisting and tilting
head, which has been upgraded to include 5-axis and is now available in the
U.S.
www.pedrini.it
Pelligrini
Meccanica - the Polywire 34, a single machine that does the production of three
granite gangsaws
www.pellegrini.net
Prodim
International - demonstrated its series of Proliner 3-D measurement solutions
for templating
www.prodim.nl
Regent
Stone Products - promoted its touring vans - known as Regent Mobile Stores -
which are equipped with 60 cubic feet of space and a 7-foot-high ceiling, and
they are stocked with a full line of products; the Mobile Stores are used to
support the company’s reps in the field to sell and educate their customers on
new lines of products and the RegentiStore
(RegentiStore.com)
www.regentstoneproducts.com
Right
Manufacturing - featured its rock tumblers for fragile stone, veneer,
porcelain, clay, tile and concrete products
www.rightmfgsys.com
Salem
Stone - the GMM Edil 36 bridge saw, which offers 180-degree head rotation and a
0- to 90-degree tilting head that can accommodate blades up to 725 mm in
diameter; also, Breva three-axis CNC machine dedicated to producing sink
cutouts and faucet holes
www.salemstone.com
Stonefone
- introduced its web-based application designed for fabricators that bears its
company name; Stonefone allows users to keep track of inventory, labels, slabs
and remnants to name a few
www.stonefone.com
Thibaut
- officially introduced the T508 texturing machine, which allows fabricators to
create custom finishes and patterns on slabs; various textures include
polished, antiqued, brushed, bushhammered and chiseled; among the patterns are
grooves, diamonds, zigzags and waves
www.thibaut.fr
VIC
International - offered a broad range of products for use in stone fabrication,
including the Denver Skema Logic C-180 4-axis CNC sawing center with linear
guides, head-mounted laser and tilting and rotating spindle
www.vicintl.com
Vytek
- promoted its color laser engraving, a four-pass process that allows for full
color images on stone, which are permanent; UV resistant so it can be used for
outdoor applications
www.vy-tek.com
Water Treatment
Technologies - the EnviroSystem, designed specifically for each facility, which
can accommodate shops of varying sizes - from operations that range from one to
two kitchens per day with demands as little as 7 gallons per minute to shops
that demand over 500 gallons per minute, producing over 50 kitchens per
day
www.watertreatmentonline.com
Wood’s
Powr Grip - highlighted its hand-held vacuum cups, available in diameters from 3
¼ to 10 inches, the cups provide a quick and convenient way to handle smooth,
nonporous stone, tile and cultured marble products
www.powrgrip.com
Z. Bavelloni -
displayed the Bavelloni Egar 450 CNC stoneworking center that uses mostly
recycled water, cuts fast, equipped with a large bed size and a convex and
straight saw
www.bavelloni.com
Stone
Maintenance/Installation Products
Akemi - Darkener Super, a
solvent-based impregnating color enhancer that also acts as a protector -
especially suited for darker color stones; leaves stone with a natural
look
www.akemina.com
Bellinzoni
- promoted its “Made in the USA” brand of products, which is the result of
Bellinzoni Milan and Bellinzoni U.S. joining forces to manufacture its products
in the U.S. to cut cost and ensure U.S. quality control
www.bellinzoniusa.com
Fila
- promoted its Marble Restorer Kit, including Fila Marble Shine to polish the
surface and Fila Formula Marmo to clean, nourish and protect the surface as
well as all of the necessary pads and items needed to apply the products;
introduced Fila Tec for use on polishing lines - a large-scale product for
protecting stone
www.filachim.com
GranQuartz
- introduced its Tuscan Leveling System, which virtually eliminates lippage
during tile installation
www.granquartz.com
IMC/Stone Boss - promoted its service,
repairs and shop moves
www.stoneboss.biz
Miracle
Sealants - 511 H2O+, a water-based, penetrating sealer designed to protect all
marble, granite, travertine, slate and other natural stone and masonry
surfaces; 511 Concrete Cure & Seal, a professional grade curing agent that
reduces shrinkage and cracking
www.miraclesealants.com
Tenax
- Marmo Antiacido, which protects marble from acid etching, and Super Granito,
protects granite from staining; Dual Touch, a proprietary system to make
patterns of granite and marble similar to sandblasting, but at a smaller cost;
Epoxy Foam, which can be sprayed onto stone panels and used as support, similar
to aluminum honeycomb
www.tenax.it
New Introductions at Marmomacc and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas
