The Flying Bull edge-polishing machine from Sasso Meccanica is for processing flat and bullnosed edges ranging from 20 to 100 mm in size.

Like pretty much everyone else out there, I am at a loss as to when we will truly be out of this recession. Two years ago, when it became clear that there was trouble on the horizon, the general consensus was that we would see some sort of downward financial “adjustment,” but it likely wouldn’t be long term - and certainly not this severe.

The Toro Series of bullnose polishers from GMM features a body with an electro-welded structure that was machined using CNC technology. The body also receives thermal treatment to unstress materials due to welding.

Dry-Treat has just launched a new generation impregnating sealer, called Meta Crème, to protect natural stone, tile, paving, brick, concrete and grout. It's in the form of a cream, as the name implies with many unique properties and benefits.

In my travels as editor of Stone World, I have toured large-scale stoneworking plants in locales around the world. These trips have taken me to classic stoneworking villages in Italy, Spain and Germany as well as relative “newcomers” in Brazil and China. However, in 16-plus years at Stone World, I never had the chance to check out the stone industry in India.

Jura Beige limestoneCountry of origin Germany Absorption 1.07 % Density 63.97 pounds/square foot Modulus of rupture 2,280 psi Compressive strength 17,946 psi Abrasion index 37.3 Flexural strength 1,610 psi This

Perched on a plateau five miles west of Wimberley, TX, a private residence offers its owners sweeping views of the Texas Hill Country. And to create the rural feel that fits with the surrounding landscape, an extensive amount of native Texas limestone was combined with distressed wood for the design.

The Falcon is the latest in sawing and motion-control technology from CMS/Brembana. The machine is a complete automated 5-axis interpolated CNC bridge saw with a built-in Auto Robotic Manipulator (A.R.M.) for loading/unloading of slabs - especially for the manipulation of pieces within nested slabs. The A.R.M. can be programmed to separate pieces and make space for the blade to complete a cross cut.

This Stone of the Month supplied by Marcolini Marmi, Grezzana, Verona, Italy. Technical details provide a frame of reference only.

As is often the case during my travels, some inspiration for a column finds its way into my head, and I have to get it out before the normalcy of returning home wipes it away. That is why I am typing this column from my hotel room in Nuremberg, Germany, only a few hours after the international Stone+tec trade fair closed its doors.