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Robotic Fairing and Painting System Delivered Visions East, Inc. delivered what it says is the world's first computer-controlled coatings application system for marine vessels; the first robotic coatings system for yacht manufacturing, a 54-m yacht system now operational in a Swedish shipyard. The system was conceived, developed and patented by Steve Morton, the founder and President of Visions East, Inc. By incorporating the technologies of computer-aided design, computer-guided robotic machining and the advancements in marine coatings development, the new technology fully automates the marine vessel fairing and painting process as well as marine mold and plug making. The initial target market is the superyacht industry, while the integration of a com- mercial/military system is in develop- ment. The key benefit of the Visions East technology is repeatable uniformity of the coatings process. Circle 41 on Reader Service Card Ready-Strip Wash: A Paint Remover Wash Back to Nature Products introduces Ready-Strip Wash, previously known as After-Strip, which will now accompany the Ready-Strip family. Ready-Strip Wash is designed to safe- ly and gently removes the residue and soft- ened layers some- times remaining after paint or var- nish removal. Ready-Strip Wash helps lift stains from wood. It contains no methylene chloride or harsh chemi- cals, is non-flam- mable, non-combustible, and biodegrad- able. Circle 42 on Reader Service Card E Paint Offers New Paint for Aluminum Vessels E Paint Company recently released SN- 1 HP, a high performance antifouling paint for aluminum vessels. SN-1 HP is a harder version of E Paint Company's flag- ship product SN-1, the only antifouling paint specified by the United States Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. SN-1 HP is available in white, gray, black, and a specially tinted product Ocean Gray, developed for the U.S. Navy small boats fleet. Circle 43 on Reader Service Card Jotun Debuts New Flexible Topcoat Hardtop Flexi from Jotun is designed as an impact-resistant polyurethane formula- tion, which matches the highest levels of color and gloss retention expected of polyurethane topcoats. "We have made a total communication turnaround for this product and the prod- uct performance is easy to demonstrate. All polyurethanes are in a way flexible, but this product taken is something total- ly different. The combination of excellent coating flexibility and excellent adhesion will give flexibility and impact resistant coatings a totally new meaning. We have developed a "hammer test" to demon- strate the performance of the product. The test is actually extremely tough, but also totally relevant for the performance of the product," said Group Category Manager Anders Braekke. Hardtop Flexi Hardtop Flexi is designed to survive terrible treatment without cracking, as proved when used on hatch covers which were hit by a loaded transport container. With a high solids content of 64 percent by volume, the new product boasts low VOC emission levels, and can be applied in single coat thickness of up to 150 microns to minimize downtime and app lication costs. Hardtop Flexi can be March, 2005 • MarineNews 35 Products Circle 231 on Reader Service Card Circle 241 on Reader Service Card From the Jotun Coatings' global launch of Hardtop Flexi in China we see Mr Jin Ha Min from Jiang Nan Ship Yard taking the hammer test, supervised by Jotun's Anders Braekke. MN MARCH05 5(33-39).qxd 3/4/2005 11:47 AM Page 35
