Unger’s Latest Water-Fed Pole Aids The Smaller Start-Up

Unger’s latest water-fed pole aids the smaller start-up.

Unger’s latest water-fed pole aids the smaller start-up: Taking pride of place on the Unger stand at ISSA/INTERCLEAN is the nLite One, the company's latest water-fed window cleaning pole.

Like the company's original nLite Connect extension pole it is available in glass fibre as well as in a premium carbon fibre pole. "The nLite One is fully telescopic which means there is no need for any pole extensions," said Anna Maslova, UK marketing manager. "It is quick and easy to set up and can be fully extended, collapsed and adjusted in a matter of seconds."

She adds that the glass fibre version of the nLite One has another major advantage. "When the smallest version of the pole collapses down it measures just 90cm in length," she said. "This makes it ideal for entry-level window cleaners because it will easily fit into smaller vehicle. It is also particularly suitable for ground-level work."

NLite poles are designed for use on glass and building facades, on solar panels and for cleaning signs and vehicles. The carbon fibre version of the nLite One is available in four length options while the glass fibre pole comes in six lengths. The version that collapses to 90cm - the 1.5 metre mini-pole - is claimed to be particularly suitable for abseiling and cradle work.

Also on display on the Unger stand is the Stingray system for use on indoor windows, plus the Nlite HydroPower DI pure water filter.

Glass Stronger Than Concrete

The glass bricks are held in place with a transparent high-strength glue.

Glass stronger than concrete: Architecture firm MVRDV has used a pioneering glass technology ‘stronger than concrete’ to replace the brick facade of a high-end retail outlet located in a former Amsterdam townhouse. Described by the Rotterdam studio as the first of its kind, the innovative facade of Crystal Houses Amsterdam uses glass bricks, windows frames and architraves to recreate the city’s traditional architectural style with a style befitting a Chanel boutique.

According to MVRDV, the construction is “in many ways, stronger than concrete”. MVRDV wanted to make a representation of the original buildings and found a solution through an extensive use of glass. Crystal Houses began its existence with the request of Warenar to design a flagship store combining both Dutch heritage and international architecture on the PC Hooftstraat, Amsterdam’s one and only luxury brand street that was previously primarily residential.

The near full-glass façade mimics the original design, down to the layering of the bricks and the details of the window frames, but is stretched vertically to comply with updated zoning laws and to allow for an increase in interior space. Glass bricks stretch up the façade of Crystal Houses, eventually dissolving into a traditional terracotta brick façade for the apartments (as stipulated in the City’s aesthetics rules), which appears to be floating above the shop floor.

The design hopes to provide a solution to the loss of local character in shopping areas around the world. The increased globalisation of retail has led to the homogenisation of high-end shopping streets. Crystal Houses offer the store a window surface that contemporary stores need, whilst maintaining architectural character and individuality, resulting in a flagship store that hopes to stand out amongst the rest.

“We said to the client, ‘Let’s bring back what will be demolished but develop it further’” explains Winy Maas, architect and co-founder of MVRDV. “Crystal Houses make space for a remarkable flagship store, respect the structure of the surroundings and bring a poetic innovation in glass construction. It enables global brands to combine the overwhelming desire of transparency with a couleur locale and modernity with heritage. It can thus be applied everywhere in our historic centres.”

After conceiving the initial idea MVRDV worked closely with a number of partners to develop the technologies to make it possible. Solid glass bricks were individually cast and crafted by Poesia in Resana, near Venice. Research undertaken by the Delft University of Technology, in partnership with engineering firm ABT and contractor Wessels Zeist, led to the development of structural solutions and fabrication techniques, with the use of a high-strength, UV bonded, transparent adhesive from Delo Industrial Adhesives in Germany to cement the bricks together without the need for a more traditional mortar.

Six to ten experts worked every day for a whole year in a place that bore more resemblance to a laboratory than a construction site. Due to the sensitivity of the materials, an extremely high level of accuracy and craftsmanship was required and a technical development team was onsite throughout the process. Since this construction is the first of its kind, new construction methods and tools had to be utilised: from high-tech lasers and laboratory grade UV-lamps, to slightly lower-tech Dutch full-fat milk, which, with its low transparency, proved to be an ideal liquid to function as a reflective surface for the levelling of the first layer of bricks. Despite its delicate looks, strength tests by the Delft University of Technology team proved that the glass-construction was in many ways stronger than concrete. The full-glass architrave, for instance, could withstand a force of up to 42.000 Newton; the equivalent to two full-sized SUVs.

The development of new construction methods unearthed additional possibilities for future building, such as the minimisation of waste materials. In essence, all of the glass components are completely recyclable. Waste materials from the project, such as imperfect bricks, could simply be (and were) melted down and re-moulded or entirely repurposed. Such is also true for the entire façade itself, once the building has reached the end of its life span, the whole facade can be melted down and given a new life. The only exceptions to this rule are added features which ensure the security of the building, such as a concrete ram-raid defence plinth, hidden in a blend of reflective and translucent materials and built to withstand the force of a car crashing into the building. Repair-protocols were developed in the event of any damage, allowing for the replacement of individual bricks.

With a façade made primarily out of glass it was important to ensure that energy requirements were supplied through renewable sources. Therefore, the building was designed around a ground source heat pump, its pipes leading up to 170 metres underground, allowing for an optimal indoor climate throughout the year. A crucial element when dealing with delicate, sophisticated detailing while striving for a proper energy balance at the same time.

Ionic Systems Unveils ZERO - Ultimate Pure Water System

The ZERO system is launched, with fully automated backwash and regen cycle, producing 18mohm water to zero parts
per billion quality.

Ionic Systems at ISSA Interclean, Amsterdam present the new  ZERO™ system - pure water anywhere. Vehicle and Trailer based systems offer the greatest amount of flexibility, allowing the window cleaner to take the supply of pure water wherever it is needed. With no need to access a water or power supply, mobile systems allow pure-water cleaning to be performed even in the most remote areas. 

The Zero Reach & Wash system represents a leap forward in pure-water cleaning. With several unique technologies, it is simply the most advanced system available. The Zero will make the working lives of everyday window cleaners more efficient and more productive. Replacing manual maintenance with fully automatic maintenance cycles, the Zero will keep the filters in the best possible working order. A high degree of control is available by means of the Zero’s new digital control panel, making the Zero easy to operate and simple to use.

• Automated flush & regen cycle: The Zero is designed to keep the RO membrane and other filters in the best condition possible by automatically flushing the RO membrane before each fill and regenerating the water-softener filter at the end. 
• Digital control: Auto-compensating digital flow control allows precise operation of the pumps. Simple operation and clear
  
  display makes setting and adjusting flow straightforward. When filling, the control panel also shows the status of the flush & regen' cycle.
• Zero parts per Million: Multi-stage water treatment with advanced recirculation system produces water with purity of less than 1 part per million of TDS. (The Zero PPB system has additional filtration which enables it to produce water a thousand times purer.
• Split-charge relay: As well as a mains charger, the Zero has a split-charge device. This maintains the system’s battery by actively monitoring and managing the charge available from the vehicle’s alternator. 
• Twin pumps: The Zero has, as standard, two independently controlled pumps allowing more than one pole to be used at the same time. This allows the option of several operators working from the same system. 
• Refillable filters: Completely redesigned filter housings allow the filter media to be replaced without the need to replace the whole unit. The new filter housings are extremely robust with non-leaking John Guest® fittings.

Pure water window cleaning systems fall into three categories; 

Only Just Zero: De-mineralising (DI) systems employ resins to purify tap water but have to work hard to achieve water at zero parts per million, consequently they have to be replaced frequently and are not recommended for use in hard water areas because of their short life and high operating costs.

Zero: Combining Reverse Osmosis (mechanical filtration) with DI usually supported by carbon, 5 micron and sometimes a water softener (recommended) can produce water at 0 parts per million (1mohm) quality water. Five stage systems deliver consistently better quality pure water in high volumes even in hard water areas, the annual running cost per litre is significantly lower than de-mineralising systems.

Completely redesigned filter housings allow the filter media to be replaced without the need to replace the whole unit.
The new filter housings are extremely robust with non-leaking John Guest® fittings.

Absolute Zero: Employing seven stages of filtration to remove all minerals, organics with 100% bacteria kill rate ensures the very purest water at zero parts per billion (also known as 18 Mohm water). 18Mohm water delivers the most spectacular cleaning results with less water needed for rinsing. These systems are fully automated ensuring both water quality as well as lower annual running costs.

Why Zero Parts Per Billion?
• Less Water Needed for Rinsing
• Spot-free Results Even
on First Cleans
• More Aggressive Cleaning
• Lower Running Costs

A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER: Window Cleaners who use Reach & Wash systems know that the purity of their water is of paramount importance. Even a relatively low TDS value can lead to spotting, as these dissolved solids are left behind after the water dries. But there is more to consider than the impurities in the water to begin with. A certain volume of water has the capacity to dissolve only so much before it becomes saturated. For example, a glass of water can only dissolve so much table salt. If any more is added after saturation, it simply sits in the bottom of the glass in solid form.
Similarly, the water used for cleaning can only dissolve a certain amount before it becomes saturated. If you have fewer impurities to begin with, then there is more dissolving capacity for cleaning. The purer the water used, the better it will be at dissolving dirt. This means less water is needed for rinsing, and a far greater certainty of spot-free results!

Optional Extra: The Zero’s Hot Water upgrade enables the system to heat the pure water (using a diesel burner) up to 80°C in minutes. Heated pure water gives fantastic cleaning results, powering through first cleans effortlessly and keeping your working even when the temperature drops. In Poland and Russia, Thermopure™ operators keep on working even in temperatures as low as -15°C. The diesel burner can be fed with diesel either from the vehicle’s own fuel tank, or a separate remote tank.

See the last time Ionic were at the ISSA Amsterdam Interclean show here. Interview with Ionic systems here.

The Unger HiFlo nLite Water Fed Pole Unveiled

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ISSA Interclean Show: This morning the HiFlo nLite, the new evolutionary waterfed pole system from Unger has been unveiled at ISSA Interclean Show in Amsterdam. The Unger stand has been crowded from the moment of opening with visitors keen to find out more about the new range of super-light Poles and innovative Brushes. The nLite Brushes are available with up to 10 jet locations. Click to enlarge pictures.

 

Quick Overview: 

BRUSHES: Superlight Brushes feature high quality polyester bristles designed to get into the smallest corner and help with scrubbing actions. Whereas conventional brushes usually only have two jets, HiFloTM nLite Brushes feature up to ten quick release Jets, making it much easier to control the water flow and rinse surfaces.

GOOSENECKS: Strong carbon fibre Gooseneck attachments enable you to achieve any working angle, keeping weight to a minimum.

CLAMPS: The Clamps, which adjust Pole height or attach the Extensions Poles, are simple to operate – no fiddly allen key-type devices needed – and easily adjustable to ensure the right tension.

MASTER POLE: The four section Master Pole cleans up to a height of 6,63m/22ft, but taller locations are easily reached by adding two-section Extension Poles to the base of the Master Pole.

EXTENSION POLE: These extensions, each adding another potential 3,41m/11ft of reach but crucially not adding anything to the width and feel of the Pole, always measuring 35mm in diameter – an optimum size that fits easily into the hands of the professional for quick and comfortable cleaning.

Poles, weights, material, click to enlarge.

Detail:

MASTER POLE - 4 SECTION TELESCOPIC POLE. (DIAMETER: 26MM/29MM/32MM/35MM)
The diameter of the Pole section you are holding stays at maximum diametre of 35mm, irrespective of the number of extensions. The diameter of the first section of the Master Pole (holding the Gooseneck and Brush) is 26mm. Wider than industry average, it increases the rigidity of the Master Pole overall, reducing flex usually associated with smaller diameter, thinner tubes. This results in greater stability and control of the Brush, facilitating more efficient cleaning with less effort.
Durable plastic Endcap prevents accidental damage to the end of the Pole and features a side apeture for the Hose to exit when used inside the Pole. All Poles, regardless of the grade, are compatible with each other. For instance, combining a Carbon Master Pole with a Hybrid Extension Pole will deliver a great performance at a lower cost than an all-Carbon System, with only a slight increase in weight and deflection.
LENGTH 6.63m/22ft - 4 sections. Section 1 - 26mm, Section 2 - 29mm, Section 3 - 32mm, Base Section - 35mm.
ENDCAP Durable plastic prevents accidental damage to end of the Pole. Features side aperture for Hose.
MATERIAL 3 grades of Pole material: Hybrid (Glassfibre/Carbon), Carbon and HiMod Carbon.
PRINT Complete specifications, including new Length Deflection Ratio for measuring Pole rigidity.

Window Cleaning resource gets the new poles. Click to enter.

EXTENSION POLE - 2 SECTION TELESCOPIC POLE. (DIAMETER: 32MM/35MM)
Yellow visual warning area at the top of the Extension Pole helps to avoid unintentional separation from the Master Pole. All Poles, regardless of the grade, are compatible with each other. For instance, combining a Hybrid Extension Pole with a Carbon Master Pole will deliver great performance at a lower cost than an all-Carbon System, with only a slight increase in weight and deflection.

LENGTH 3.41m/11ft - 2 sections. Section 1 - 32mm, Base Section - 35mm.
MATERIAL 3 grades of Pole material: Hybrid (Glassfibre/Carbon), Carbon and HiMod Carbon.
APPLICATION Add on up to 4 Extension Poles to Master Pole to reach the required height.
COLOUR Yellow visual warning area at the top of Extension Pole helps to avoid unintentional separation from the Master
PRINT Complete specifications, including new Length Deflection Ratio for measuring Pole rigidity.

CLAMPS: Easy and fast one handed operation. Convenient Unger logo shaped screw for adjusting the tension of the Clamp without tools. Yellow Clamps identify the next Modular component to prevent unintentional separation. DESIGN    Easy and fast one handed operation. Intelligent Clamp design combined with consistent strength of the tube section along its length enable you to lock the Pole at any height without the risk of damaging or crushing the tube. Sheltering flanges are built-in to protect the Lever from catching on objects, such as gutters and sills, which would otherwise result in accidental collapsing of the Pole.
FUNCTION - Secure the Hose along the length of the Pole using the Clips to avoid tangling, tripping and catching on objects.
SCREW - Convenient Unger logo shaped screw for adjusting the tension of the Clamps by hand without tools.
COLOUR - Yellow Clamps, identifying the next Modular component (Extension Poles, Goosenecks and Endcap), are designed to open in the opposite direction (left to right) to prevent unintentional separation.

BRUSHES: Superlight Brushes feature high quality polyester bristles designed to get into the smallest corner and help with scrubbing actions. Whereas conventional brushes usually only have two jets, HiFloTM nLite Brushes feature up to ten quick release Jets, making it much easier to control the water flow and rinse surfaces. SIZES    27cm, 40cm, 60cm
TYPES: Rectangular, Radius, Solar
BRISTLES: Lightweight, solvent resistant polyester. Unflagged single strands, ideal for efficient cleaning of the glass.
BRUSH BODY: Plastic porous core with smooth solid skin on the outside – cutting edge engineering ensures structural stability and lighter weight than solid block manufacturing.
JETS: Quick release Jets. Interchangeable Pencil or Fan design - mix and match depending on the type of the surface you clean, e.g. 2 Fan Jets + 2 Pencil Jets.
JET TYPES: Pencil Jets for Hydrophilic Glass, Fan Jets for Hydrophobic Glass
JET POSITIONS: Up to 10 different Jet locations, depending on the Brush size. Hundreds of spray patterns possible – use two, four, six or all ten locations at one time, changing between Fan and Pencil Jets as you need!
PRESSURE GUIDE: Adding more Jets allows you to clean larger areas quicker and better. The number of Jets you can use depends on the level of water pressure – the higher the water pressure, the higher number of Jets you can use at one time.

Brushes, types, sizes & weights. Click to enlarge.

The Brush can be rotated by 180° and secured in the new position, using the built-in adapter. Changing the position of the Brush will also change the location of the outer Jets row – this option provides greater flexibility and control over cleaning and rinsing different surfaces, angles and structures.

HYBRID: Glassfibre/carbon composite Pole. Excellent rigidity and value. Recommended for working at the height of up to 10m/35ft. Ultimate strength of Material: 65 gPa.

CARBON: 100% carbon Fibre Pole. Superior rigidity, lightweight pole. Recommended for working at the height of up to 16m/53ft. Ultimate strength of Material: 100 gPa.

HIMODULUS CARBON: The ultimate in rigidity, superlight pole. Recommended for working at the height of up to 20m/65ft and higher. Ultimate strength of Material: 180 gPa.

Gpa (gigapascal) is a unit of measure of stiffness material.

LDR / RIGIDITY CALCULATION: The Length Deflection Ratio (LDR) has been developed by the Unger Research and Development Team to provide a quantifiable way of measuring the perfect balance between length and rigidity of waterfed Poles. The LDR formula accurately measures the deflection (or the rigidity) of the Pole when fully extended, with a 5kg weight attached to the centre of the Pole. This simulates the average force applied to the Pole in operation. The resulting number reflects the rigidity of the Pole: the higher LDR number - the greater the rigidity (or stiffness) of the Pole.

DEFLECTION VALUES BY MATERIAL: The key factor affecting rigidity of the Pole is the material it is made of. The chart below explains the LDR of the 3 grades of material used in the HiFloTM nLite range: Hybrid, Carbon and HiModulus Carbon.

MAINTENANCE GUIDE: LOOKING AFTER YOUR HiFloTM nLite SYSTEM. These combinations offer the most cost-effective options with optimal rigidity.

REGULAR CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE: Carefully wipe each Pole section with a microfibre cloth once a week, slightly dampened with pure water. Keep the Hose clean to prevent dirt and grit transfer onto the Pole. Clean your Brushes regularly in a bucket of pure water, using a microfibre cloth, to prevent the build up of debris.

WORKING WITH THE POLE: Do not over-extend the Pole to prevent separating the sections. Keep control of the sections when collapsing the Pole - do not let the upper section drop into a lower section, as this may damage Clamps and injure your hand. Always use the Endcap to protect the end of the Pole from accidental damage.

ADJUSTING CLAMPS: Tighten or loosen the Clamps using the Unger logo shaped screw to adjust the level of tension and hold of the Pole. Do not overtighten the Clamps as this will cause excessive wear to the Pole section. Replacement Clamps are available and easy to install thanks to unique self-locking design - no glue is required. Each Clamp and Lever is marked with the relevant Pole section diameter for making spare part ordering easy.

HOSE MANAGEMENT: The new Hose management system focuses on user safety and convenience - fit the Hose inside of the Pole or secure it along the length of the Pole, using removeable Hose Clips. Whichever option you choose, the Hose is kept under control to eliminate any potential safety risks.

Unger WFP News Release: The nLite

Dear Karl,

Please find attached details of a major product launch that Unger will be showcasing at ISSA/Interclean this May. The HiFlo™ nLite is a brand new water-fed pole system that is set to transform the market. This latest innovation from Unger, will change the way that windows and façades are cleaned forever. We would appreciate it if you would consider covering this release in your publication. Please also find attached image and logo. More product details will be issued on 1st May to all editors. Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact us.

Kind Regards, Alyson Rogers, Account Manager.

NEWS RELEASE

Welcome to Unger’s new age of nLite’ment

New Unger HiFlo™ nLite water-fed pole system set to revolutionise the market

Unger is ushering in a new age of enlightenment with the launch of HiFlo™ nLite – a brand new water-fed pole system that is set to transform the market.

This latest innovation from Unger, the company that provides smart cleaning solutions to more than 80 countries worldwide, will change the way that windows and façades are cleaned forever. Thanks to its innovative design the HiFlo™ nLite is simple to use, intuitive and responsive in any situation.

The HiFlo™ nLite marks the start of a new era in the water-fed pole sector, being more ergonomic and versatile than anything else currently on the market. It also delivers savings to cleaning professionals, because of its keen pricing and low cost in use.

Dave Rogers, Unger Europe’s European Sales Manager, said: “We believe that the HiFlo™ nLite is a truly revolutionary new product. We are confident that HiFlo™ nLite will be received enthusiastically by window cleaners and contract cleaners across the globe, thanks to its innovative features, ease of use and cost benefits. The launch of HiFlo™ nLite is a high point in Unger’s history, a real leap forward in the evolution of professional cleaning equipment.”

If you want to be ‘enlightened’ the HiFlo™ nLite will be unveiled to the global cleaning industry on stand 1.205 at ISSA/Interclean, Amsterdam RAI, Netherlands 8-11 May.

HiFlo™ nLite Evolutionary Leap in Pure Water Cleaning: Futuristic concept, state of art design and thinking outside the box. Super light, powerful, loaded with innovative features. This is nLite, the new range of waterfed Poles & Brushes from Unger. The star so bright, it’s being kept top secret until the official launch. Be part of history. Discover nLite at Unger’s stand 01.205. Be enlightened.

ISSA Interclean Amsterdam - WaterKracht/Rubbermaid/Pulex/Cleantecs/Unger/Activeion

In the Netherlands, Waterkracht is the specialist within the pressure washing field of cleaning equipment and effective cleaning solutions. They mainly design, produce and supply for all types of cleaning at pressure washing environments. With the Hot Aqua Blaster from Waterkracht, a solution has been found which cleans solely using water power without any permanent damage. The secret of the Hot Aqua Blaster lies in the Boiling Hot-Water Technology® with thermoshock effect which has, in the meantime, been patented. A crucial factor is the temperature of the water droplets that are sprayed under pressure against the polluted surface. These water droplets, which quite literally are boiling, explode under pressure on the surface and free the pollution from the surface. The power of the water droplets can be regulated from 45-500 bar. The ingenuity lies in the fact that the pressure is built up independently from the thermoblock. At the moment that the water leaves the spray nozzle, or spray head, the water has exactly the correct temperature and the pressure can be adjusted continuously.
Although the pressure washing industry is not exactly window cleaning per say - I thought that the video inclusion was worth a special mention due to the fact the water used is not only heated & used, but also reclaimed due to its unique feature of using a vacuum bucket that slips under the work area on horizontal walls & held in place by a unique suction process. The used water is then led back through a series of filters before reheating the water & used in a permanent recycle process.

For more than 70 years, the Rubbermaid® brand represents innovative, high-quality products that help simplify life. From its original line of simple, durable housewares, Rubbermaid has developed a major presence in a wide array of categories ranging from home and garden to seasonal and commercial products. Recognized as a “Brand of the Century”, Rubbermaid is one of only 100 companies named as having an impact on the American way of life. In 1999, Newell Rubbermaid Inc. was created, a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with 2005 sales of $6.3 billion. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 30,000 employees worldwide. Check out the Rubbermaid Hygen microfiber cleaning system shown by Rob Sutherland in the video here.

Set up in 1963 at the dawn of the industrial cleaning sector in Europe, IPC Pulex (IPC Eagle USA) owes its outstanding success to the hight degree of specialisation and strong drive towards innovation characteristic of the company. Targed research has enabled IPC Pulex to create a complete range of products specifically designed for cleaning the vertical glass surfaces becoming ever more common in industrial, commercial and residential architecture throughout the world. Its complete range is aimed at a varied clientele with diverse problems: squeegees, telescopic handless, fleeces, scrapers, floor squeegee, buckets, prehensiole tong and all types of accessories. Controlled individually at the and of the production process, each item is designed and produced from the best materials to optimise use to even the most inaccessible glass surfaces.
The Ultra Pure Hydro Cart has the unique ability to produce a high volume of pure water on normal tap water pressure. The Hydro Cart is a 4 stage filtration system which includes reverse osmosis, and deionization process to produce mineral free water providing for incredible cleaning action and spot free windows. Available for use on just tap pressure, battery or electric.

Cleantecs GmbH produce spray nozzles & moving nozzles from 140 psi to 36000 psi, which can be employed in a wide range of uses. Furthermore Cleantecs produce a large number of high-pressure attachments, such as special floor cleaners, chewing-gum-cleaners, vacuum cleaners & sandblasting system as can provide lance and pistol technology to a full range of accessories. For more than 25 years - Cleantecs GmbH (formerly Jäger GmbH) have been developing and producing equipment for high pressure cleaning for 30 bar to 3000 bar. Apart from the range of products, Cleantecs can also offer individual problem solving & solutions to a wide array of cleaning problems in the workplace.

Solar cleaner Sola-Tecs B500: Cleans a large area with minimal effort - The belt cleaner is simply guided across the surface without any major effort required & the cleaning head just needs to be held in position and passed over the surface. A 24 volt + RO/DI water can be utilised. Weight 7,5 kg. & a maximum water consumption of 60 l/h. Click picture to enlarge.

Solar cleaner Sola-Tecs B1200: Cleans a large area with minimal effort - The belt cleaner is simply guided across the surface without any major effort required & the cleaning head just needs to be held in position and passed over the surface. A 24 volt + RO/DI water can be utilised. Pump with 87 psi system pressure potential. 11 kg & a maximum water consumption of 100 l/h. Click picture to enlarge.

Sunblind-cleaner LR-180: The cleaning brushes are rotated by a water turbine. The cleaning brush rotation ca be turned from clockwise to counter-clockwise
The water inflow can be regulated directly. Features a quick-change system for changing the cleaning brushes. Easy maintenance and care. Cleaning brush distance can be axially adjusted. Metal parts made of stainless steel, anodized or coated aluminium. Device support can be folded to become a handle & for gently setting down the machine. Low weight (1,8 kg). Integrated filter prevents soiling & features adjustable spray nozzles. Click picture to enlarge.

Solar cleaner Sola-Tecs W500: Cleans a large area with minimal effort - the Cleaning head does not require any additional power supply and purely operates through the power of the cleaning water provided to the head. The 6 kg cleaning head just needs to be held in position and passed over the surface. High pressure pump with maximum of 1740 psi potential & a 150 l/h usuage. Click picture to enlarge.

Ivan & Marianne Bengtsson of speed window cleaning fame were at the ISSA/Interclean show in Amsterdam working for Unger. They made lots of new friends at the IWCA show recently in the USA & send out a special hello to Jeremiah Hickey of "On the Spot Cleaning Services Inc." - another speed window cleaner! See Ivan in action in the main video & below..

Jackie Bromley of Activeion was on hand to tell me of the merits of the rechargeable spray bottle & also to announce its new European subsidiary, Activeion (Europe) GmbH. Activeion (Europe) GmbH will distribute and market the ionator EXP™ throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Activeion’s ionator EXP™ is a handheld, on-demand, completely chemical-free cleaning tool that activates and converts tap water into ionised water, a powerful dirt-removing and bacteria-killing product.
The ionator EXP™, slightly larger than a spray bottle, can be used on most surfaces including glass, stainless steel, wood, carpet, natural stone, marble and clothing. In fact, it can replace many general-purpose chemical cleaners commonly used for these types of surfaces. Independent third-party lab results certify that when used as directed, the ionator EXP™ kills 99.9% of harmful common bacteria such as E.Coli, E.Coli 0157:H7, VRE, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Staph, MRSA, Listeria and the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus, in six seconds. With the ionator EXP™, cleaning professionals everywhere can save time, reduce costs, and protect the environment and people. “The unit will retail for 269 Euros, excluding VAT and shipping, and is available immediately in Europe, Middle East and Africa. Initial target markets for the ionator EXP™ are education, retail, hospitality and healthcare.”
The spray bottles certainly looked up to the job of dealing with those "french"/"colonial"/"cut-ups" that we all despise. It was a pity I couldn't get back to interview Jackie & the staff - she always had a queue of people waiting to talk to her! Activeion also had the most original give-away going for people who visited their stall - tulip bulbs from Amsterdam! See here for previous blog.

ISSA Amsterdam - Lewi/PuraQleen/Lehmann & AquaQlean/Salki

Under the trademark "Qleen pure water cleaning systems" Lehmann KG presents in it's restructured programme the newest trends of cleaning technology. "Puraqleen®" still refers to the water treatment technology. Whereas "Lewi" still carries the name of their traditional tools. Highlighted in the video is a very remarkable scraper - designed for high-risers that just needs one hand to open the scraper.

Puraqleen® water fed pole systems can clean glass façades and other surfaces up to 20 meters in working height. The Puraqleen ® system can clean windows and façades to great heights effortlessly and safely from the ground. This is made possible by the unique pole system made of extra high-strength, lightweight carbon fiber and titanium piping. Stable and durable tubing system thanks to the clever construction and technologically high quality materials. The Puraqleen® company offers a host of pure water delivery systems for every window cleaner. "The application of mineral-free water reduces the static charge to a minimum & the windows stay clean longer." With Puraqleen ® it is possible to clean 250 m2 at a water flow rate 90-120 l/hr. The modular system can be configured according to the level of difficulty. Lehmann’s motto is: Tailor-made solutions!



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Architects often design striking buildings in the most contemporary building styles. But this very architecture also means that glass and facades can be extremely difficult to access for cleaning and maintenance. The ideal solution for this kind of problem can be found in the clever AquaQlean® System. Aquaqlean® offers optimal accessibility and a perfectly clean result through the use of light, stable and durable tubing. Situations where glass and facades can be virtually impossible to reach include roofing over shopping promenades, domed roofing or situations where fountains or gardens form obstacles, etc.
Problem areas highlighted by both the professional cleaning branch and technical services (real estate market) relating to the aspects mentioned above have resulted in the development of a system that offers safer and more productive levels of glass and facade cleaning in most situations. Cleaning will be done with the use of mineral free water for maximum cleanliness and (after drying) a perfectly transparent result with no visible streaks.



The English brochure is available here. Some of the clever ideas included how to clean glass roofing with their knuckle adapters & also featured in the main video (top of page) - see also the second picture below. Salki are the main agents for Aquaqlean® in Europe.