Winkhaus and Kawneer: Partnership and Collaboration Behind the Launch of Kawneer’s Ground-Breaking KWD92 UT+ Window System
Market leading manufacturer of door locking systems and window fitting systems, Winkhaus UK, was proud to attend the launch events of the new KWD92 UT+ Passive House window by Kawneer, a leading provider of architectural aluminium products, following an 18-month development program.
The KWD92 UT+ is designed with the fabricator in mind offering key fabrication benefits. The Winkhaus efficient window system hardware, aluPilot together with Kawneer’s pre-set gasket and corner assembly which potentially offers 30% faster fabrication time.
KWD92 UT+ Window System
Passive House certified, the KWD92 UT+ features a multi-chamber thermal break core and Kawneer's patented reflex technology. This combination delivers market-leading thermal performance, achieving values as low as 0.6 W/m2K without requiring additional foam inserts in the thermal chambers.
Passive House is a leading energy-efficient building standard that ensures indoor comfort and insulation through exceptional airtightness and thermal performance, resulting in minimal energy usage and clean air. It promotes the construction of healthy, comfortable, and sustainable buildings.
Time plays a vital role in the installation of windows, and the new KWD92 UT+ window system allows fabrication to be up to 30% faster than Kawneer’s current range. Using Winkhaus’ efficient fitting system, aluPilot, aluminium fabricators can manufacture the windows at least 10 minutes faster per window compared to traditional aluminium Euro Groove systems. Faster and easier installation can reduce the cost price of an aluminium window, saving time, money and increasing productivity.
Maria Morgan, UK Product Manager for Kawneer comments "We are delighted with our collaboration with Winkhaus to help introduce our new innovative Passive House window to the UK market. This partnership combines our expertise in sustainable building solutions with Winkhaus’ own commitment to providing efficient sustainable solutions, that together help set a new standard for performance, speed, and efficiency. Together, we aim to provide homeowners and builders with a high-performance Passive House window that not only meet but exceed the requirements of the Passive House standard, ensuring superior thermal comfort and energy savings."
aluPilot: Click. Click. Done
aluPilot’s time-saving result has been confirmed through extensive testing with manufacturers during the development and roll-out of aluPilot to European and UK systems houses. When multiplied across weekly production, these time savings really start to add up. The drive rod concept of aluPilot simplifies and streamlines the window manufacturing process by eliminating several traditional steps:
· No cutting or punching of connecting rods
· No punching of profile grooves
· No waste from offcuts of connecting rods
· No Screws
With aluPilot, components are clicked into place, making the process more efficient and reducing cutting waste. This innovative system offers a comprehensive range of mounting accessories for easy installation:
Simplified Manufacturing - The streamlined manufacturing process eliminates the need for cutting or punching connecting rods, profile groove punching, and screws. Components click into place, reducing waste.
Easy Installation - Installation is made easy with an external bayonet locking system for secure power transmission, a CLICK mechanism for seamless sash hinge fixing, accessible height adjustment, and tool-free sash installation.
Smart Packaging - Organised and protected components are provided in one box, minimising the risk of missing parts and reducing hardware by up to 70% in burglar-resistant setups.
Complete Tool Concept - aluPilot includes essential installation accessories: a Drive Mounting Tool for securing the drive, a Positioning Aid for precise keep placement, Sash Edge Protectors for corner protection, a Drilling Jig for PAS24 screw positioning, and a specialised Jig for Security Locking Modules. These tools streamline fabrication, ensuring efficient and accurate window assembly.
Testing and Development
When integrating the aluPilot system, the components underwent rigorous testing in conjunction with KWD92 UT+. This included weather testing such as air permeability to EN 12207 (Class 4), watertightness to EN 12208 (Class 9A) and resistance to wind to EN 12210 (Class C5), as well as security testing to EN 1627 RC2 and PAS 24.
This testing phase provides seamless compatibility and functionality, ensuring that aluPilot becomes an integral part of the profile design. By testing the "click in" system components alongside the profiles from the systems house, any necessary adjustments or fine-tuning can be made at Winkhaus to optimise performance and reliability, meeting the precise requirements of the system. This collaborative testing process not only enhances the integration process but also ensures that the final product meets high standards of quality and performance.
With over 100 years of combined industry expertise in product development, manufacturing, and testing, the Winkhaus technical and laboratory teams offer proven solutions to ensure the success of its partners’ future innovations. Our added value services include consultation, CAD design, 3D prototyping, product assessment, product development days, and UKAS laboratory accreditation.
Kawneer’s Launch Events
From the Winkhaus UK team, Business Strategy Manager, Andrew Wilkins, attended Kawneer’s initial launch event in Manchester, alongside Aluminium Systems Manager, Alastair Wheeler, and Content and Campaign Manager, Anna Marie Clementson, who both attended the second launch event in Surrey.
At the events, attendees were invited to view Kawneer’s management presentation explaining the features and benefits of the new window product, as well as its alignment to Passive House standards. The team at Kawneer also covered Winkhaus’ efficient window system, aluPilot, in their presentation, crediting the product’s time saving benefits as a contribution to the KWD92 UT+ window’s impressive time saving statistics.
Alastair Wheeler commented: “It was a privilege to attend both events for Kawneer’s launch of the innovative new Passive House certified KWD92 UT+ window. Not only did we get the opportunity to learn more about the process and specifications for the new product, but we also got the opportunity to showcase aluPilot’s features and benefits to the attendees, which contributes to the efficient performance of KWD92 UT+.”
“We are grateful to have worked in partnership with Kawneer to design and manufacture this fantastic new product both in the UK and in our European locations, and I was proud to see the positive reception that KWD92 UT+ received at the launch events.”
