Manufacturers and Suppliers Launch Latest at Auto Glass Expo at NACE, From Cordless to One-Tech Setting Tools

Several manufacturers saved their latest new products and developments to launch at last week's Auto Glass Expo at NACE, which was held November 5-8 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.

The PipeKnife® Co. introduced several new tools, including.the Side- Kick, a one-man setting system. The patent-pending system has three small parts that attach to the vehicle and the glass, including an upper support arm that attaches by vacuum to the roof of the car, a lower notched arm that attaches by vacuum to the hood, and a standard set of double vacuum cup, allowing a single technician to set large pieces of glass by himself.

In addition, PipeKnife unveiled the sliding blade cover for its line of cutout tools. The cover is designed to protect the exposed blade during storage, and to keep it from cutting or damaging other items in a technician's toolbox.

Nelson Marketing, which is best known for its invention of the Glass Bot™, introduced the latest version of the removal tool at the show. The newest version of the Glass Bot is cordless and comes with the Milwaukee Tools 18-volt NiCad battery attached to it. The wire-winding system is mounted on a vacuum pad and operates via a remote control grip, and the cutting wire is placed around the exterior of the glass part, pushing one end through the adhesive and attaching it to the winding shaft of the system, mounted on the interior surface of the glass part, and pulling the wire, cutting through the adhesive to release the glass.

Equalizer Industries displayed its new Gorilla lift system, designed to set windshields in large buses. (CLICK HERE for a video of that product.)

ADCO promoted its new "Safe Drive Away Initiative and Sell with Speed and Safety" program. The company is providing customized posters, banners and literature with point-of-purchase displays that include shop company logos to help shops promote safe drive-away times and safety to their customers.

AEGIS Tools International Inc. showed its new SOLO II one-tech windshield-setting tool, which features a reversible arm to allow technicians to work from either the passenger or driver side of the vehicle. The arm also extends to accommodate extreme windshield rake angles, wing windows, heavy-duty and loop arm mirrors and larger truck windshields.

Creative Extruded Products Inc. launched its new environmentally friendly universal moulding, the Eco-Trim. Eco-Trim is made from a rubber-like material with rubber performance but is designed to have less of an impact on the environment. It's 100 percent recyclable, according to the company, and contains neither lead nor chlorine.

REHAU Incorporated showed its new UniFit Pinch-N-Go™ universal moulding, which is manufactured with an elastomeric polymer for cold flexibility and squeak resistance. The moulding is available in five sizes and is equipped with a "clothespin" hinge.

Gold Glass Group's new SensorTack GGS 901 gel was also on display. The gel is designed to make it possible to re-use the round rain/light optical gel-filled sensors so that they can be re-attached to a windshield post-installation.

Crystal Glass unveiled a new windshield removal tool. Click on the video above for a live demonstration.

Were you at the Auto Glass Expo at NACE? Was there any particular product you found particularly exciting or helpful? Please e-mail pstacey@glass.com or CLICK HERE to discuss.

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