Held each year at World of Concrete, the Most Innovative Product (MIP) Award Program showcases many of the new products exhibited at the show. The program allows attendees and readers of MASONRY CONSTRUCTION, CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, THE CONCRETE PRODUCER, and CONCRETE & MASONRY CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS magazines a chance to vote for the products they judge as most innovative. The magazines' editors review and select the products in terms of the innovation they bring to the industry.
This year's products were grouped into 11 categories. Below are the winning MIPs of most interest to mason contractors at this year's show. Information about the products in all categories is available at www.mip2010.com.
Attendee's Choice:Insulated limestone wall façadeUse the Neocantera Ikos for nonloadbearing walls. The panelized element features a limestone wall laminate exterior, insulated with polystyrene, and reinforced with galvanized steel. It offers the look of a limestone exterior without its weight. The panels measure 1.96x8 ft., 4 in. thick, and weigh 3 lbs./sq. ft.
Neocantera Board S.A De C.V. +5233-3647-0656. www.neocantera.com.
Editor's Choice:Floor protectorScotchgard 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. It covers to 5000 sq. ft./gal.
3M. 888-364-3577. www.3m.com/building.
Attendee's Choice:Portable dust vacuumThe Pulse-Bac PB-550 works with all hand tools that generate dust. The product captures the dust resulting from grinding, polishing, and cutting without clogging the filters and slowing or stopping production. Just 25 inches tall and 16 inches in diameter, this lightweight portable dust vacuum is capable of generating more than 121 cu. ft. per minute of air flow, with 74 in. of lift. It is the first compact dust vacuum equipped with Pulse-Bac Automated Self-Cleaning Vacuum Control Technology.
CDCLarue Industries. 918-216-6100. www.cdclarue.com
Editor's Choice:Dust-free masonry sawThe JackVac 360 Dust Free Masonry Chop Saw cuts brick, stone, pavers, and block on the jobsite, inside or out, while maintaining a safe and dust-free work environment. The JackVac was designed and tested by masons with years of on-the-job experience. It is lightweight and portable so the mason can place it right where he's working: on the scaffold, roof, or even inside. The JackVac 360 is durable and is made of tough, high-impact materials.
Masonry Tec Products. 888-274-7744. www.jackvac.com
Editor's Choice:Alternate forming methodUse the Grout Sample Box alternate forming method for casting grout test prisms. ASTM C1019-09 includes guidelines that allow for using alternate forming methods to cast these compressive strength specimens. The product saves time and space and produces test samples that are consistent in geometry and are much easier to cure, store, and transport. The corrugated mold uses a patented slotted insert to form four cavities of equal size.
Deslauriers. 800-743-4106. www.deslinc.com
