Custom Covers protect Antarctica research station

June 1, 2008  |  Industry News, Projects, Tents

Custom Covers, Southampton, England, makes temporary membrane or tensile structures for many cool venues, but one of the company’s recent projects was ice cold: covers for the British Antarctic Survey’s new Halley VI Research Station in Antarctica. “We aim to make covers for absolutely anythin…
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Students use eggs as inspiration for inflatable concrete shelters

June 1, 2008  |  Projects, Tents

Two engineering students competing in a British Cement Association competition to find new uses for cement based their entry, an inflatable concrete shelter for refugee relief, on meditations about the compressive strength of an eggshell. “We came up with the two critical components of concrete ca…
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Developing sustainable products and practices

June 1, 2008  |  Business, Features, Projects, Upholstery

From magazine articles to seminars to trade show floors, the topic of sustainability has worked its way into business consciousness. And most manufacturers and distributors are starting to realize that implementing a few green elements here and there is not enough. Is it possible for a business to b…
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Polyurethane skin keeps furniture germ-free

June 1, 2008  |  Upholstery

Problem: Seating fabric used in public areas can allow indirect transmission of bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew among users. Solution: Millions of naturally antimicrobial silver ions released gradually from the surface of AgUARDIAN™ polyurethane skin eliminate the majority of bacteria and other…
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Curtains conceal elevator mechanics

June 1, 2008  |  Projects, Upholstery

[ Coastal Canvas Products Co. ] Savannah, Ga., U.S.A. The glass elevator shaft in this upscale residence was visible from all four floors, allowing a clear view of the elevator’s mechanics. Coastal Canvas was enlisted to design curtains to conceal the mechanical apparatus, and move up and down wit…
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Fabric provides lightweight, decorative storm protection

June 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Products

Problem: Customers want lightweight yet attractive hurricane protection systems at a reasonable price. Solution: Storm-A-Rest™ hurricane protection systems are made of Supreme Protector®, one of the world’s strongest commercially woven fabrics, to be lightweight (2.5 ounces/square foot) and 15 …
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Solution-dyed nylon fabrics meet military specifications

June 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Products

Problem: Soldiers deployed in hostile territory want to maintain concealment, and fabrics that don’t hold camouflage color or reflect a visible near-infrared (NIR) signature put them at greater risk. Solution: To enhance concealment, the exact color and NIR signature are permanently built into sol…
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Strong removable cover fits military equipment

June 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Projects

This closely fitting cover for some complex and irregularly shaped military equipment is designed to be robust enough to survive military conditions and be easy for soldiers to remove and replace. After consultation with the customer, Valley Canvas fabricated a prototype, which was later patterned f…
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Hill-Rom to offer antimicrobial silver

June 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

Hill-Rom, Batesville, Ind., a manufacturer of medical technologies and surface products, will offer customers the option of antimicrobial silver enhancement for all preventive and therapeutic surfaces by 2009. The company has developed an agreement with NanoHorizons Inc., State College, Penn., to us…
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Motorization provides effortless lifestyle for homeowners

June 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Show, don’t tell is one of the first maxims writers learn, and Somfy Systems Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., took that lesson to heart when designing its new Home Motion Center interactive home. The facility features automated window coverings, rolling shutters and awnings powered by Somfy, including the …
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