MOTORISATION + SOLAR CONTROL

SOMFY
Many of the innovations coming on stream in the Australian market boast critical points of difference, and as demonstrated by Somfy, these often translate to an in depth understanding of the needs of the Australian lifestyle.

Somfy has launched a new smart zip system motor; the Somfy Maestria 50 RTS motor is the universal solution for exterior screens, boasting innovative features including smart obstacle detection, auto learning and automatic self-tensioning.

Using accurate and reliable obstacle detection, the intelligent motor will retract when an obstacle is detected to prevent damage. The ultraprecise limit setting allows for the perfect limit position, while automatic limit recalibration ensures perfect fabric tension over the product’s life.

The motor features a quick and easy installation with three limit setting modes available: manual, semi-automatic and automatic. Maestria 50 RTS is compatible with all types of external screens including those with automatic locks. The Somfy Maestria 50 RTS is compatible with RTS controls and our Connexoon Window RTS solution for intuitive control anywhere in the world.

“Motorised external screens are indeed a growing market and very popular for the Australian lifestyle,” says Jade Coote, Strategic Marketing Manager, Somfy Group. “Somfy has been and will continue to conduct product specific training sessions to our customers over Australia on Somfy Maestria 50 RTS to ensure our customers are well informed on this innovative new motor.”

ROLLEASE ACMEDA
Apple Homekit integration is coming to Rollease Acmeda’s new devices, a statement from the company confirms.

“We’ve been asked about whether or not we will be integrating with the service for a while, and we’re excited it’s coming soon to our updated hub.”

The brand is also ushering in an updated identity across new Wire-Free motors, Hub, App, Remote and Solar Panel applications. It will also be releasing a suite of new products, with a new design, new features and integrations.

“Automate will be making a big impact on the market this year,” with the new range set to launch at Super Expo.”

The X50 Motor means Rollease Acmeda can now provide a full hardware and motor solution for Zipscreen extreme external shades.

Key features include:
• 50Nm
• ARC protocol & Programming: Bi-directional Communication allow users to see position via the Pulse app
• Safety sensor function; constantly communicates with sensors to ensure you have a functional wind sensor. Making sure your Zipscreen is always protected.

“In terms of overall market observations, smart shade and smart home technology are increasingly making inroads into the market; older homes are now also updating to new technology, with more opportunities for smart shades in homes with retrofit; battery operated, retrofittable shades are rising in popularity and solar panels are creating eco-friendly autonomous motors. The ongoing emphasis on child safety is also a key driver, with an emphasis on removing hazards from relevant product lines. Meanwhile in terms of energy savings, more integrations like IFTTT and voice assistants aid in controlling natural heat and light with smart shades.”

“Regarding opportunities in the market, we see this category’s popularity rising due to the adoption of smart speakers. More people are becoming comfortable with smart home devices thanks to Alexa and Google’s increased presence in the home.”

“Overall, in the area of smart home technology, 2019 marks a big year for all smart home integrations. The market is set to expand as more and more consumers are shopping to for IOT home products.”

ICL(SA)
A-OK in the 2019 range of product are working on the theme of “Environment-Friendly and Energy Saving” leading with five solar panels, a light sensor, a rain sensor and two wind and light sensors combination units, confirms Managing Director Peter Monkhouse.

“Just on its own, motorisation is growing exponentially as the end user becomes aware of the options open to them. Home renovation programs such as ‘The Block’, ‘House Rules’, ‘Selling Houses’ and so on, as well as magazines such as ‘Home Beautiful’, ‘Inside Out’ and ‘Better Homes and Gardens’ are all profiling home automation and this leads to improved motorisation sales for the fabricator. But people do not just want to operate everything from the couch; they also want to know about efficiency, consumption and savings in the two important areas of how it affects their budgets and how it will affect the environment.”

“Some fabricators have been a little slow on the uptake of motorisation, even though they may have seen the signs of change coming and this was mostly due to the perception that it was complicated technology, it would create more problems for installs and of course the most commonly aired response ‘our customers wouldn’t pay the extra’. But all of these fears are rapidly quelled with the A-OK products by the competitive pricing, the ease of installation and programming and of course customer demand because they saw motorisation on TV and want to keep up with the latest.”

ICL (SA) Pty Ltd has been involved with A-Ok Motorisation since 2008 and has been actively involved in the rapid development of their product, says Monkhouse. “We work with them yearly at international trade fairs and get to see firsthand how well they have maintained a leadership in all areas of motorisation, solarpowered technology, modern design and consumer confidence in a reliable quality product. At every trade fair we get to talk the A-OK distributors from Spain, the UK, France, Poland, USA, Israel, Saudi Arabia and South America and this not only builds our confidence in the range but gives us an insight into the world uptake on motorisation, particularly in the more mature European markets.”

BLINDWARE
Blindware’s Motolux range of blind and curtain motor products offers something for all segments of the market, confirms Managing Director Grant Norton. The Melbourne-based supplier’s commitment to innovation has seen the range evolve from standard tubular motors to showcase what it describes as one of the most interesting motor ranges across all suppliers, especially when it comes to being able to undertake sophisticated motorisation projects. The range now includes:

• 240V AC 4-wire mech limit motors, with parallel wiring option
• 240V AC 3-wire RF mech limit motors – the reliable and simple choice for all
• 240V AC 3-wire RF electronic limit motors
• DC Internal battery motors, with or without solar recharge
• DC External battery motors, with or without solar recharge (battery inside the solar panel)
• Motorised curtain track – S-Fold or Pinch Pleat
• Motorised Roman track – pre-assembled from 0.5mtr to 5.5mtr
• Complete range of hand-held and wall mount remotes
• Timer remote
• Motor controllers
• 16-Channel RF Hub unit
• APP control network hardware

“Consumers demand flexibility and a range that fits their needs; this range does just that. With total flexibility for the motorisation of internal roller blinds, Motolux can operate with a wide range of control devices including the attractive squareline remotes, 16 channel RF Hubs (RS485), Motor controllers and APP control direct from your phone or other smart device.”

“If consumers are after a smaller and more unobtrusive finish, Blindware’s solar panel for the internal battery motor is perfect, while the solar panel with internal battery provides added benefits with much shorter motors and ability to fully power down the motor in event of problems.”

Blindware’s motorisation range is not limited to standard tubular motors. Recognising a demand amongst premium buyers, Norton has developed a newly updated Motorised Roman Track, plus a premium range of S-Fold components for its motorised curtain track. Like the standard range, both the Roman and Curtain tracks can operate on Blindware’s squareline remotes, 16 channel RF Hubs (RS485), Motor controllers and APP control direct from the user’s phone or other smart device. The Roman track has been fully redesigned, now using 40mm tubular motors driving an octagonal tube and specially developed threaded cord spools. The result is a system that is much quieter and stronger and ensures the cord remains static in position as the blind is raised and lowered. While initially designed to work with Motolux tubular motors, the track will work with all brand 40mm motors using a simple adapter plate. To meet the variety of customer and consumer demands, Blindware is manufacturing both Roman and curtain tracks to any custom length.

LUXAFLEX
The next generation of PowerView Motorisation has launched into the Luxaflex Window Fashions range.

“The world’s most beautiful shades are now more intelligent than ever, with this smart technology featuring enhanced connection options and a sleek new look,” says,” says Vera Meharg, Marketing Communications Manager, Australian Window Furnishings division of Hunter Douglas.

The new model connects with both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. This allows for seamless, whole-home integration with the ability to “voice control” shades. The new technology allows for a secondary PowerView Hub to be added to a single PowerView network, and significantly boosts the connection coverage when needed. The latest Generation PowerView Hub can also send smart phone alerts when the batteries in different blinds are running low.

“Its sleek new design blends seamlessly with any home interior for discreet control, and comes with dimmable LED lighting to create a subtle glow to match your preferred settings or time of day. It is also enabled for Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing for flexible placement around the home, as there is no need for an Ethernet cable.”

“We’re thrilled to announce the next Generation of PowerView Motorisation,” says Meharg. “Home automation is truly changing the way homeowners live, by greatly enhancing their lifestyles.”

“Child and pet safety are becoming an increasing concern for homeowners and a motorised operation system is an ideal cordless solution that combines safety, beauty and complete convenience. Homeowners now have ultimate control to manage shading, energy efficiency and privacy in their home which can actively reduce energy consumption and amp up security.”

“Whether you prefer to have rooms operate independently or work together for whole-house synchronisation, PowerView offers precise operation of a variety of different Luxaflex products and styles, whether up, down, tilt or traverse.”

“You can use the PowerView App to create a unique collection of personalised ‘Scenes’ for your daily life. For example, greet the day with the arrival of the sun in your master bedroom and kitchen to the perfect position for your morning activities. Then have them gracefully close as you leave for work in summer to maintain a cool indoor temperature in your home.”

“External shading from Evo Awnings reduces cooling energy costs by up to 60 percent¹ and up to 30 percent of total heat loss from a home occurs through uncovered windows²,” Meharg explains. “This simple action will help reflect heat and UV rays to drastically reduce a room’s heat gain, as well as help protect furniture from sun damage and fading,” concludes Meharg.

“The next Generation of PowerView also introduces three new ultra-modern neutral colours to the Pebble remote collection, so there’s a hand-held control system to suit every personality and every room.”

NICE AUSTRALIA
Paul Mark, National BDM – Screen Products, Nice Australia, confirms the company is promoting a number of solutions to fill key needs in the motorisation and control space.

One is the ExitSafe Module, designed to facilitate quick and safe exit from the secondary escape route in a property in the event of fire or other hazards.

“Very often the stipulated second escape route is via the patio doors; if these are fitted with automated visual and sun protection, such protection has to be opened quickly in an emergency.

The ExitSafe module and a 12 V drive allow for venetian blinds, roller shutters and screens to be opened and closed even in the event of an outage of the mains power supply. This is enabled by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery connected to the escape route module. If there is a supply voltage the battery is charged; in this respect the battery is protected against overheating and exhaustive discharge.”

As well as the rechargeable battery and the 12 V drive, it is also possible to connect operating elements such as a central control and switch to ExitSafe. A smoke alarm can likewise be connected; ensuring greater safety: if the smoke alarm is activated, roller shutters, venetian blinds and screens are raised independently by the mains voltage.

The system can also be controlled using bidirectional radio: If the VarioTec-915 DC is used as a control unit, the existing visual and sun protection can also be operated by radio in the event of a power failure. VarioTec may be used as an individual, group or central control device. Timer commands and sun protection commands for the hangings may be activated or deactivated using the sliding switch.

Another solution to enable safe and quick exit from patio doors or windows is the RolTop D+ NHK, which is fitted with an emergency crank handle. With this solution, the intelligent drive, which recognises and stores the end positions the first time it is operated, can also be operated manually in the event of a power failure and thus open up the second escape route.

Elsewhere, Nice Australia is also promoting another recent innovation; JA Comfort is an elero venetian blind motor with electronic limit switch, slow travel mode, standstill recognition and belt length compensation. It is characterised by precise slat positioning.

Another iteration of the product, the JA Comfort includes the following features:

• ProLine 2, bidirectional radio at 915 MHz
• Commissioning possible with assembly cable or by radio transmitters
• Operation in 1-wire or 2-wire mode possible, no bridge required Stand-by power < 0,4 W

Meanwhile the JA Comfort SMI is a venetian blind motor with an integrated SMI interface. It can communicate with controls or with a BUS system. JA Soft, also in the same range, is described as the proven venetian blind motor with soft brake and mechanical limit switch. It is available as a standard drive (6 Nm and 9 Nm) with bidirectional radio 868 (via external receiver) and as a 12 V DC version (4 Nm und 10 Nm).

Nice Australia is also offering a user-friendly automation solution for zip screens.

It enables automated sun protection to be regulated comfortably with elero technology, and independently adjusted in line with lighting conditions.

SunTop/Z from elero is a quiet motor with wrap-around drive head which was specially developed for zip screens. The intelligent blind protection with repeat function allows for differentiation between an obstacle and a gust of wind. Key features include:

• Soft brake with drives up to 20 Nm
• End position release can be activated
• Bidirectional radio at 915 MHz or wired

Finally, an easy way to wind blinds and shutters up and down without pulling on a belt and in the absence of mains supply for wired motorisation, can be found in a solar-powered drive system. “This handy product from elero is the ideal retro-fitting solution for visual and sun protection without a mains supply.”

¹ Based on independent modelling conducted by White Box Technologies in conjunction with Peter Lyons & Associates, June 2013. Savings vary based on location, home type and fabric used.
² Based on information from NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System. Visit www.nabers.com.au for more information.