BMW’s GINA features fabric skin

August 1, 2008  |  Markets, Products

She’s slick, sleek and hooked on speed, but BMW’s GINA isn’t your girl-next-door concept car. The radical GINA, which stands for Geometry and Functions in ‘N’ Adaptations, is a vehicle dressed to impress in a fabric skin over a mechanized electro-hydraulic metal and carbon frame. The GINA …
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Mosquito-proof netting reduces infant mortality

August 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Products

Malaria kills more than one million people each year, most of them children under five years old. Mosquito nets help, but don’t prevent insects from transmitting malaria through biting a sleeping person through the net. BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany, a chemical company long interested in malaria …
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Shade top kits accommodate inflatable boats

August 1, 2008  |  Marine, Products

A fun-and-sun day on an inflatable boat can lead to a toss-and-turn night with severe sunburn. Taylor Made Products, Gloversville, N.Y., supplier of marine aftermarket products, can intercept some of those damaging rays with new shade tops that accommodate inflatable boat widths up to 5 feet 7 inche…
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Concrete Cloth applications may save lives

July 1, 2008  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets, Products, Tents

A pair of young British engineers were hoping for some design competition money when they began brainstorming new uses for concrete. In the end, their innovation—Concrete Cloth—may already be saving lives. Peter Brewin and William Crawford were studying for post-graduate degrees in London in 200…
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Internally illuminated banner systems for various applications

July 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Graphics, Products

Using the platform Light Emitting Capacitor (LEC) technology from CeeLite Inc., Britten Inc. has introduced the first internally illuminated banner systems for both indoor and outdoor applications. BannerBright™ uses thin, flexible and lightweight LEC light source panels that can be used on flat o…
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Color Selector allows users to preview products

July 1, 2008  |  Graphics, Products, Upholstery

The 2008 Color Selector from Avery Dennison, available at no charge to sign shops and digital printing facilities, allows users to see actual product samples, to help distinguish color selections, feel the quality of the vinyl and compare durability and gloss levels. This latest version includes fou…
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Digital printer prints photo-realistic outputs

July 1, 2008  |  Graphics, Products

The NanoJet UV True Flatbed digital printer uses the latest digital print technology to print outstanding photo-realistic outputs on both rigid and flexible materials. Using 24 Spectra high-performance print heads, the NanoJet prints at speeds of 220 sq. ft./hr. in photo-realistic mode, with a print…
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Acrylic transfer adhesive used for tension membranes

July 1, 2008  |  Fabric Structures, Products

For structural and decorative use, Unifilm® U802 from Scapa North America is an acrylic transfer adhesive used to attach architectural tension membranes to a wide variety of metal frames. It laminates well well to a variety of substrates, including low surface energy plastics and untreated polyolef…
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Design software allows remote, real-time communication

July 1, 2008  |  Products, Upholstery

3D Runway Designer 10 design software from OptiTex now incorporates remote collaboration tools, including an open chat room that allows production and image files in 2D and 3D to be sent between partners participating in the design process. The images can be modified using the new chalk tool, allowi…
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Retractable cover for unusual patio configurations

July 1, 2008  |  Awnings & Canopies, Products

Problem: Large, irregularly shaped patio spaces are tough to cover with a system that is both rain-proof and retractable. Solution: The SHIELD retractable cover system from Arquati SolarPro becomes taut when fully extended, providing sun, wind and rain protection over unusual patio configurations. T…
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