The Natural Stoneshow 2011 / 15th - 17th March 2011
Demonstration Zone
A popular feature at the Natural Stone Show this year was the Demonstration Zone where a number of exhibitors showed how their products are used, helping visitors get a better understanding of processes associated with the use of stone.
A preview of the companies that demonstrated at the 2008 show can be read below:
Massimo Piraccini Treatment
Massimo Piraccini Treatment are demonstrating a range of certified Kits for the anti-stain treatment of marble, granite and natural stone worktops. The Kits can be personalized for the customer to solve specific problems.
- Kit 250 Polished surfaces: solvent-free anti-stain treatment (with food contact compatibility certification), for polished marble and granite
- Kit 250 Honed surfaces: solvent-free anti-stain treatment for rough and matt surfaces
- Kit Stain Remover: for eliminating stains of oil, coffee and dirt in general
- Magic Kit: for removing corrosion stains from polished marbles, caused by acid
Alsecco Airtec
Alsecco Airtec has the potential to revolutionise the design worlds' attitude to Natural Stone. For many generations, the uncompromising weight of solid natural stone and the difficulties in manufacturing a suitable duty support system has restricted its use to low level cladding only, often combining with lighter EWI systems on the more difficult upper levels. However, Alsecco Airtec Stone offers designers the opportunity to break that mould.
Available in over 2,500 different stone types, the Airtec Stone is a patented composite panel that bonds together a 10mm natural stone veneer with a lightweight aerated clay concrete backing. The result is panels that are available in huge sizes, offer exceptional strength and are at least 50% lighter than the solid stone equivalent. This reduction in weight means that entire envelopes can now be clad in stone.
The opportunities to the designer become endless, and when you consider that all features and details are invisibly fixed and corner sections are expertly mitred so they melt into the façade, Airtec Stone succeeds in delivering a blend of monolithic elegance and technical excellence. Alsecco will showcase the Airtec Stone system and illustrate the unrivalled design possibilities in their presentation.
Easipoint
Easipoint are demonstrating an easier, cost-effective and economical way to form wide mortar joints in natural stone setts and paving using their pourable high strength mortar Settpoint. Simply applied using a watering can or spouted bucket, SettPoint flows freely into wide joints of 10-50mm and will provide a complete fill to depths in excess of 150mm. It requires only the addition of water on site, is self-smoothing, exceptionally strong and contains a shrinkage-compensating agent. It achieves a typical compressive strength of 70 N/mm2at 28 days. A rapid setting variant is also available.
Easipoint are also offering you the opportunity to try your hand at their clean and efficient way of pointing. You will be able to try out the Easipoint range of gun-injected mortars, which have been used successfully for major public sector hard landscaping projects and for a variety of domestic applications for more than 20 years. EasiPoint mortars can be injected directly into gaps down to just 5mm, providing void-free, weatherproof joints capable of withstanding regular traffic movements.
Alphacam
Alphacam is one of the leading suppliers of CAD/CAM software for the stone industry. The Alphastone modules have been specifically developed to address the unique challenges encountered when machining marble and stone. Any configuration of machine, from simple 2-Axis to complex 5-Axis simultaneous robot, is supported, as well as all the specific cutter types used within the industry. We will be demonstrating how Alphastone meets the requirements of a wide range of companies from small niche stonemasonry companies manufacturing bespoke and intricate work to larger companies producing volume stonework.
Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust
Portland Sculpture & Quarry Trust will be demonstrating traditional hand letter-cutting skills for incised and raised letter forms, and low relief carving techniques using Portland stone. The skills have been handed down by Portland stone masons and carvers and are recorded in the Trust's 'Living Land Archive' and include methods of setting out lettering on stone, 'chopping' and 'chasing' to remove waste and finishing. Low relief carving includes methods of creating subtle forms that rely on the changing direction of light to create shadow and the illusion of depth.
ARDEX
ARDEX are demonstrating ARDEX S 20 from their natural stone range. This flexible, rapid hardening and rapid drying natural stone tile adhesive is available in grey or white and ideal for the demands of working environments when downtime needs to be minimised. ARDEX S 20 benefits from the Rapidry Formula Technology that binds the mix water, virtually eliminating the risk of water staining and guaranteeing the best possible finish to natural stone tile applications as illustrated in the bathroom pictured here.
