Over two years ago this magazine published a survey on multi-wire machines, and the article was well received by our readers. Being a new, evolving technology, during this period the different manufacturers have brought out new, improved models of this machinery, and we have found it appropriate to publish an updated version of the survey. The questions were sent to the different companies and we publish here the replies of those who answered them.

Questions:

1.- Is your machine supported on 2 or 4 columns?

Rogerio Moutinho, MGLW (United Kingdom)

What do architects and designers really look for, when they want to use natural stone?

Without trying to be too simplistic, what one really wants when choosing natural stone for a project is:

1.- A stone with the right colour and pattern

2.- A stone that is suitable or adequate for the purpose, i.e., it is hard enough,not too absorbent, etc.

3.- That the natural stone is fairly easily available, i.e., in the quantity that one requires, and is so within the time frame of the project.

An initiative of WONASA (World Natural Stone Association) www.wonasa.com

Luca Alciati & Laura Fiora

Antonio Molina,
Technological Centre for Marble (Murcia), Spain
laboratorio@ctmarmol.es

The US 305/2011 Regulation for building products published on 9 March, 2011 comes into effect on 1 July, 2013, substituting the current Directive 89/106/CE for Building Products. The new Regulation does not impose on the manufacturers of natural stone more conditions than those in the Directive, but obliges them to make some changes in the documentation of the products.
 

Among the thousands of stones being sold in the international markets, there is one which from the distance is mistaken for wood because of its physical appearance: the sandstone Rainbow / Teakwood This unique physical characteristic has given it a very special niche in the market, and it has become extremely popular all over the world because it is perhaps the only natural stone with an aesthetic aspect that resembles wood.

One of the most well known granites from India in the world markets is TAN BROWN. It is valued for applications in decoration. This article highlights the different varieties of this material since, as is so often the case in natural stone, there is often a wide range of colours and varieties existing within any single material.