March 2019 Vol. 74 No. 3
Features
UCT 2019: ShowStopper Awards Presented to Stand-Out Exhibits at UCT
Three companies—Digital Control Inc. (DCI), VersaFlex/Raven Lining Systems and Vermeer—went home from the 2019 Underground Construction Technology International Conference and Exposition (UCT) as ShowStopper winners.
The annual competition is based on exhibit design, attendee interest in exhibited products and traffic generated by the exhibit. Judges are industry experts with years of experience representing all aspects of underground construction and who have attended numerous UCT shows.
DCI
DCI was one of the winners unveiling a new exhibit in 2019. Inside, the center of attention was the just-released virtual reality (VR) train- ing simulator software.
“Visitors viewed the VR graphics on a 75- inch monitor,” said Mark Galluccii, general manager of U.S. customer service. “The VR simulator has huge training potential for DCI’s walk-over locating equipment, as well other applications, and will help address the dearth of skilled horizontal directional drilling (HDD) crews, which is a major problem in the North American HDD industry.”
Prominently displayed was the DCI suite of Digitrak walk-over locators.
“All Falcon locaters can scan the drill site for active interference (electrical noise) so that the least effected frequencies can be selected for the job at hand,” Gallucci said. “Using the least effected frequencies has a direct impact on production.
“The Falcon F5 is our flagship product which has over 1,000 frequencies, with dozens of frequencies below 1 kilohertz. Sub-K frequencies allow accurate tracking of the transmitter when in passive interference environments such as drilling below reinforced concrete.”
Also of interest was the new DigiGuide mobile app that provides step-by-step instructions for effectively using Digitrak equipment.
Vermeer
Vermeer’s exhibit space was the largest of the three winners. Exhibit elements were attractive and informative, with products displayed to allow plenty of space to accommodate visitors and company personnel.
Featured was the Vermeer Navigator HDD simulator designed to teach the basics of operating drilling equipment.
“The simulator uses an actual operator’s station with common controls used on most Vermeer horizontal directional drills,” said Kayla Breja, senior product marking specialist. “It provides a great way to learn the basics of drill operations, practice drilling skills, test drilling ability or enjoy a friendly ‘drill-off’ at the show.”
Also featured at the show:
- A 3-D printed model of the Vermeer Mud Hub, a two-machine combination of mud tank and solidification mixer that processes slurry into a drip-free
- RTX1250i2 ride-on tractor with new interchangeable components, including quad tracks or tire options and a variety of self-identifying, intelligent
- Vermeer Productivity Tools, including a project suite of BoreAssist, BoreAid design, and software designed to help make bidding, planning and billing more efficient.
VersaFlex/Raven
VersaFlex/Raven also unveiled a new exhibit at UCT which is designed to profile the organization’s complementary brands with visuals highlighting its broad range of coating chemistries for structures and substrates, said Kathy Romans, water/wastewater segment leader for VersaFlex/Raven Lining systems.
The display also introduced Milamar as the newest member of the organization’s family.
Brands and products featured were:
- Raven 405, a 100-percent solids epoxy, has been a premier protective coating for manholes, lift stations and wastewater structures for more than 30 years, and AquataPoxy ANSI 61 epoxies are certified for potable water
- VersaFlex polyurea coatings are used in secondary containment, flooring and above ground water structures, and VersaFlex product education capabilities include “Polyurea U,” week-long training programs held throughout the year teaching basic and advanced topics in polyurea chemistry, specification and application.
“The exhibit’s engaging photos,” Romans said, “helped attendees identify with what we do and gave us the draw power to engage in enlightening conversations that lead to great relationships.” •
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Digital Control Inc., (800) 288-3610, digital-control.com
VersaFlex/Raven, (800) 321-0906, ravenlining.com
Vermeer Corp., (888) 837-6337, vermeer.com
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