New products
Building Blocks
Maui Blocks, Inc. presents its Concrete Masonry Burnish, an architectural unit for interior and exterior load-bearing walls. What advantages does it have over similarly marketed products? “We now have the equipment required to produce Burnished Blocks to create a finish similar to polished stone,” says Yoshio “Yoshi” Shimabukuro of Maui Blocks. “Burnished Block is manufactured by grinding the top surface off of a precision block face to reveal the aggregate matrix within the block. The installation of Burnished Block is similar to that of precision block, which may be used for interior or exterior. A sealer is typically applied after installation to accentuate the color of the finished wall.” This local product is manufactured at the locally owned and operated Maui Blocks, located in Puunene, Hawaii. For more information, please contact Maybelle Maddela of Maui Blocks at (808) 873-6572, or e-mail mauiblocks@yahoo.com.
Hammer Time!
Subaru introduces the new Hammer-Guard feature to its line of high performance air-cooled, 4-cycle overhead cam EX Series engines. The Hammer-Guard is specifically engineered to protect the engine recoil from damage associated with equipment abuse during transport or on the jobsite. Engines without this type of protection are commonly dented in the recoil area, typically leading to a malfunctioning spring and unusable recoil. Now standard on all Subaru EX Series engines, the Hammer-Guard is constructed of a high strength poly resin composite reinforced by a thick plate of metal. By drastically increasing the engine’s durability, the new protective feature extends equipment life and eliminates the need for repairs due to accidental or negligent damage to the recoil. During field tests, the Hammer-Guard has been proven strong enough to withstand forceful blows from a small sledgehammer. For more information, contact Robin America, Inc. at (847) 540-7300, e-mail sales@robinamerica.com or visit www.subarupower.com.
As Green as it Gets
SolFocus, Inc.’s mission is to enable solar energy generation at cost parity with fossil fuels. The company has announced its series of SolFocus concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) systems. These systems combine high-efficiency solar cells with advanced concentrating optics to provide high energy yield using just 1/1000 the amount of photovoltaic material used in traditional photovoltaic systems. By concentrating sunlight using innovative optics onto a small area of high-efficiency solar cell material, SolFocus systems dramatically reduce the amount of expensive and often supply-constrained solar material used in the system. The SF-1100S, for example, uses primary mirrors to capture sunlight, and secondary mirrors to concentrate that light at a ferocious 500 suns onto high-efficiency II-V gallium arsenide solar cells made with a germanium substrate. According to the company, these cells operate at 38 percent efficiency or more, compared to 13 to 19 percent for standard silicon PV. For more information about SolFocus concentrator photovoltaic systems, visit www.solfocus.com.
Weather Any Storm
Triton Stormwater Solutions presents the next generation of storm water chamber management systems. Triton Stormwater Chambers have greater capacity, simple installation and superior strength, making Triton the right choice for Hawaii’s top contractors. The Triton Stormwater Chambers’ proprietary design and construction has resulted in a larger capacity, lighter weight, easier to install storm water chamber that is significantly stronger than competitive products. The proprietary design greatly reduces sediments entering into the chamber runs and allows for ease of maintenance to keep the system operating at the designed performance level for the lifetime of the installation. It also is environmentally friendly, utilizing soy-based resin, rather than traditional petroleum products, in its manufacturing process. For more information about this product, visit www.tritonsws.com.
Seal of Approval
When constructing a home, one vital detail often is overlooked. This detail is making sure there is an airtight seal at every electrical opening. With this detail in mind, Airfoil, Inc. has developed a line of airtight electrical outlet and device boxes that play an essential role in energy-efficient home construction. The Airfoil product design is the result of more than 20 years of experience in building energy-efficient homes. They’re easy to install, and once sealed, stop air infiltration at the electrical opening every time. The Airfoil product line provides a visible, positive seal that stops airflow and moisture migration completely. Furthermore, in pressurization (blower door) and thermal scan testing, they stand out from the competition. For more information about Airfoil products, call (612) 280-8331 or visit www.airfoilinc.com.
