The votes are in, and winners selected for the 2010 Most Innovative Products (MIP) Award program.
Held annually at World of Concrete, the MIP Award Program showcases many of the new products exhibited. The MIP Program allows attendees and readers of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, MASONRY CONSTRUCTION, THE CONCRETE PRODUCER, and CONCRETE AND MASONRY CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS a chance to vote for the products they judge as innovative. The editors of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, MASONRY CONSTRUCTION and THE CONCRETE PRODUCER review and select the products in terms of the innovation they bring to the industry.
This year's products were grouped into 11 categories. Information about each entry is available online at www.mip2010.com.
The 2010 MIP Winners are:
Business ToolsAttendees' Choice: Mobile Suite, by About Time Technologies
Mobile Green Suite flows information paperlessly to office managers, designers, architects, accountants, owners, and crew supervisors. Information is collected, delivered, and managed faster. It qualifies and quantifies real-time operations for one-touch, foolproof clock in, using software on a cell phone, PC, or laptop. 888-315-8463. www.abouttimetech.com
Editors' Choice: Tekla Structures Building Information Modeling Software, Tekla
Tekla's BIM software provides a model-based solution where construction details are stored in a 3-D model. It contains a concrete-specific module that includes provisions for concrete shapes, volumes, mix information, and rebar types and quantities while applications for quantity take-offs and estimation is rapid and efficient. 877-835-5265. www.tekla.com/us
Field Ease Forms/Notes, ComputerEase
FieldEase Forms/Notes turns paper forms into electronic documents that can be completed using handwriting recognition technology. Writing purchase orders, daily job logs, and e-mail are a few ways this application streamlines jobsite workflow. Change orders initiated in the field can be expedited by directly capturing an approval signature. 800-544-2530. www.construction-software.com
Concrete Production Equipment
Attendees' Choice: Mobile Twin-Shaft Mixer, Liebherr Concrete Technology Co.
Mobile Twin-Shaft Mixer allows a typical transit mix concrete batch plant or dry mix plant to produce high quality concrete mixes such as RCC, CTB, SCC, zero slump, and others. The mixers are available in two different sizes and driven by one or two electric motors. Gears are mounted directly onto the shafts to save space. 757-928-8547. www.liebherr.us
Editors' Choice: Auto-Vac C Series Water Recycling/Cement Dewatering Filter, Alar Recycling Systems
Self-cleaning, the Auto-Vac C-Series Water Recycling/Cement Fines Dewatering Filter dewaters cement fines and yields nearly ASTM C-94 grade batch water. Processed water can be recycled back into the batch without influencing set times and finishing. It produces dewatered solids for easy transport or reuse. 708-479-6100. www.alarcorp.com
Construction Supplies
Attendees' Choice: Green Concrete Mix, The Quikrete Cos.
Green Concrete Mix uses a recipe composed of 50% recycled materials, including recycled aggregates, fly ash, and/or slag cements. The concrete achieves a compressive strength of 3500 psi while meeting ASTM C 387. A 60-lb. bag diverts 1/4 cu. ft. of waste from a landfill. 800-282-5828. www.quikrete.com
Editors' Choice: SD Joint Saver, Somero Matson Group
The SD Joint Saver fixes joints and cracks that are loose, rocking, or spalled. After installation, floor deflection is eliminated leaving a smooth, positive load transfer. Contractors can install it with little downtime to the facility. Building owners find improved operation efficiency, and lower maintenance and risk management costs. 800-584-5553. www.someromatsongroup.com
Decorative
Attendees' Choice: Wall Crete Carpentry Panels, Something Better Co.
Wall Crete Carpentry Panels are vertical panels of reinforced concrete containing either stone, slate, black diamonds, or beach pebbles to create marble-like finishes. Contractors can affix the panels with wood screws or nails. They can be cut with a skill saw, wood blade. A 9- to 12-day job can be completed in two to three days. 800-324-1719. www.betterpaths.com
Editors' Choice: SS Dye-namic, The Stamp Store
SS DYE-namic is UV stable and can be used for exterior work as well as interior. Sold as a premeasured liquid concentrate, it can be used immediately after being added to 1 qt. or 1 gal. of acetone. Available in 20 colors, it can give the look and feel of an acid stain floor or can be used with stencils for a one-of-a-kind look. 888-848-0059. www.thestampstore.com
Hybri-Flex Performance Seamless Flooring System, Dur-A-Flex
Hybri-Flex eliminates the need to install a separate mitigation system on concrete slabs. The flooring system consists of a self-leveling, cementitious urethane base coat combined with one or more epoxy, methyl methacrylate, or polyaspartic topcoats. Floor installation occurs five and seven days after the concrete is poured and treated. 860-528-9838. www.dur-a-flex.com
Demolition & Repair
Attendees' Choice: Manhole Repair/Removal Tool, Coneqtec-Universal
Manhole Repair/Removal Tool skidsteer attachment reduces the time required to repair manhole covers. All-steel construction and 40 carbide tipped pics cut concrete, asphalt, and rebar. Brackets lock into place on the interior rim of the flange to lift it and the surrounding layers of concrete/asphalt when cut is finished. 888-832-3462. www.coneqtecuniversal.com
Editors' Choice: CWS-200 Chain Wall Saw, ICS Blount Inc.
The CWS-200 combines Diamond Chain Technology with a mechanized, track-mounted hydraulic power drive. The saw allows deep cutting without overcuts and less overall effort than other methods. It is compact, lightweight, and provides a one-tool approach to completing a full opening with square corners. 800-321-1240. www.icsbestway.com
EquipmentAttendees' Choice: Hammerhead 26-8000A UV Floor Curing Machine, HID Ultraviolet
The Hammerhead 26-8000A portable UV floor curing machine is designed for use on concrete floors and with coatings that are 100% solids. After liquid UV application, the machine is moved over the surface to cure the coating for a diamond-hard finish impervious to chemicals and abrasion. Both clear coatings and pigments can be cured. 973-383-8535. www.hiduv.com
Editors' Choice: Circa 2000 Portable UV Floor Curing Machine, Adastra Technologies
Circa 2000 Portable UV Floor Curing Machine weighs 25 lbs., includes 360-degree directional motion, and 20-in. cure path with two 3-in. UV lamps providing 21/2 times more peak power for curing pigmented coatings. UV coating applications include restaurant floors, concrete and granite countertops, and garages. 310-230-9538. www.uvcurenow.com
Vanguard TransportGuard Engine Shut-Off System, Briggs & Stratton Commercial Power
Four Vanguard single-cylinder engines were added to the Commercial Power series. With gross horsepower ratings ranging from 5.5 to 10 hp, the engines feature the TransportGuard system that ensures fuel stays where it belongs and helps to eliminate fouled plugs, hydraulic lock, cylinder wash down, and crankcase oil dilution caused by transportation. Additional features include a water-repellant air filter, sediment filter, commercial-style carburetor, and forged crankshaft. 800-999-9333. www.vanguardengines.com
FormworkAttendees' Choice: ToughForm Plastic Concrete Forms, Dinesol Plastics Inc.
Toughform reusable concrete forms are made from recycled plastic, easy to install, lightweight, and require virtually no cleaning. Contractors can use these forms for both straight and radius applications. The forms are easy to level and adjust to grade, and are cost effective. 330-503-3708. www.toughforms.com
Editors' Choice: Staxo 100, Doka USA
Staxo 100 steel-framed shoring system is versatile in design, fast in installation. Tower units are easy to assemble, and match field conditions and elevations. Adaptable to any layout, floor shape, and load, it offers a high level of stability, built-in ladder system, and tie-off points for harness or arrest equipment. 877-365-2872. www.dokausa.com
General Product Category
Attendees' Choice: Ikos Insulated Limestone Wall, Neocantera Board
Neocantera Ikos is used for nonloadbearing walls. The panelized element features a limestone wall laminate exterior, insulated with polystyrene, and reinforced with galvanized steel. The panel offers the look of limestone exterior without its weight. The panels measure 1.96x8 ft., 4 in. thick, and weighs 3 lbs./sq. ft. +5233-3647-0656. www.neocantera.com
Editors' Choice: Scotchgard Stone Floor Protector, 3M
Scotchgard Stone Floor Protector is a high-performance floor surface hardener and protector. When cured, it protects concrete, stone, and terrazzo floor surfaces from scuffs, stains, and scratches. The final surface leaves a great slip-resistant shine. Coverage up to 5000 sq. ft./gal. 888-364-3577. www.3m.com/building
Masonry Tools & Equipment
Attendees' Choice: Pulse-Bac PB-550 Dust Vacuum, CDCLarue Industries
The Pulse-Bac PB-550 captures dust resulting from grinding, polishing, and cutting, without clogging the filters and slowing or stopping production. Capable of generating more than 121 cu. ft./ min. of air flow, with 74 in. of lift, it includes Pulse-Bac Automated Self-Cleaning Vacuum Control Technology. 918-216-6100. www.cdclarue.com
Editors' Choice: Jack Vac 360 Dust Free Masonry Chop Saw, Masonry Tec Products
JackVac 360 Dust Free Masonry Chop Saw cuts brick, stone, pavers, and block on the jobsite, maintaining a safe and dust-free work environment. Lightweight and portable, the mason can place it right where he's working on the scaffold, roof, or even inside. Quick Spin filter technology means no more downtime cleaning and replacing filters. 888-274-7744. www.jackvac.com
Grout Sample Box, Deslauriers
Use the Grout Sample Box alternate forming method for casting grout test prisms. It produces test samples that are consistent in geometry and are easier to cure, store, and transport. A slotted insert matches the absorption of the concrete masonry units, representing the grout present in the masonry wall. 800-743-4106. www.deslinc.com
Placement & Finishing
Attendees' Choice: LD100 Remote Controlled Discharge Unit, Line Dragon
Placing concrete is easier with Line Dragon, a four-wheeled, remote-controlled discharge device. Workers attach it to the end of the concrete delivery line to position the discharge point on horizontal pours. Two workers can handle up to 60 ft. of concrete delivery line. The wheels turn 110 degrees, so the machine can travel sideways. 717-875-1153. www.linedragon.com
Editors' Choice: CRT 48-35L-PS Ride-On Trowel with Power Steering, Wacker Neuson
CRT 48-35L-PS Ride-on Trowel with Power Steer reduces the amount of pounds of force needed to operate the unit by as much as 75% compared to previous models. All three models in the series feature the new steering system plus offer blade speeds ranging from 20 to 165 rpm. 800-770-0957. www.wackerneuson.com
Tools
Attendees' Choice: Self-Adhesive Tabs for Self-Leveling, AccuraTab
AccuraTab placement measuring system allows for quick installation of self-leveling underlayment products. The contractor places height gauges in a grid pattern using an adhesive tab. After setting the laser target to the final elevation, the contractor positions the cutter over each gauge and adjusts the cutter blade's elevation with the laser. 623-580-4975
Editors' Choice: GLL2-80 Laser Measuring Tool, Bosch Tool Corp.
The GLL2-80 is a self-leveling 360-degree line laser with both horizontal and vertical lasers, plus a pulse receiver mode for long distances. Horizontal plane provides 360-degree leveling, and vertical plane serves as plumb bob. Together, they provide a crossline or three-point laser for walls, stubs, and fixture alignments. It provides visibility and accuracy to 65 ft. 877-267-2499. www.boschtools.com
