NEWFANE — Continental Screen & Glass developed and designed a new machine for installing notches in frames for various window and door screen frames.
Ken Robinson, business co-owner, said the machine provides a professional and perfect size notch, "nice and clean."
"It's really quick and easy to do," he said. "They come out perfect every time."
In the screen and glass business since 2004, Robinson found notching could be challenging. Mallets or wooden jigs would be used.
Sometimes, the notches were messy and would leave a burr, Robinson said. He called the previous process "time consuming" and "awkward."
Robinson decided to develop a machine, which he said has been used in his shop in Newfane for a long time.
"It was pretty crude but it worked pretty well," he said.
When he put up a video of the prototype on YouTube, he had a couple of people inquire. He said he needed to design a model that could be mass produced. He then went back and forth with a machine shop in Grafton before coming up with the final product.
Robinson said the machine is easy to use and versatile. It can be equipped with different knives and tooling.
"We patented it," Robinson said. "Now, we're in the stage where we're going to start marketing."
Some screen supply vendors are going to put the machine in their online catalog. A repeat stop attachment is sold separately for notches that can be made in a bunch of frames in the same place, Robinson said.
"It goes super quick," he said. "You don't need to measure and mark each piece."
At the time of the interview in late August, eight machines had been sold so far. Feedback from screen shops is good, Robinson said.
"They love it," he said.
Continental Screen & Glass also is expanding its drop-off and pick-up services to improve convenience for screen customers. Displays are set up in stores such as WW Building Supply in Newfane and Wilmington, Lincoln Maples Hardware in Winhall, Londonderry Hardware, and Lavalley Building Supply in Chesterfield.
Robinson said the hope is to grow the program, which started in early summer.
"That's going well," he said. "We've had a great response. The hardware stores like the service, and it's working well for them. It's easy for them. They bring the screens in and then we're there once a week."
Continental Screen & Glass offers services related to screen, glass and insulated glass units. Shawn Robinson, co-owner, said he would like to work on more screen porches.