The Inductor Glass Blaster: A Success Story
Many of you may have noticed a new tool that hit the market over five years ago, the Inductorreg; Series Glass Blaster by Induction Innovations. The Glass Blaster is one of Induction Innovations many tools that uses High Frequency Magnetic Fields to heat release automotive glass. The tool has the capability of going were other glass tools haven’t been able to go before, deep corner pockets and curves without destroying the encapsulated molding bonded to the glass or scratching the black masking around the perimeter. Since the tool is used from the outside of the vehicle there is little need to pull the interior, again saving time. With thousands of these tools sold nationally alone, many of our readers have already benefited by salvaging windows they normally would have crushed.
Founder of Induction Innovations and co-inventor Tom Gough states that induction was actually discovered in 1831 by Michael Faraday (ref. Google), some fifty years before Thomas Edison invented his light bulb in 1879! Since then it has been used for electric motors, forging, heat treating and many other uses. As early as the 1960’s induction heat has been used for cooking. Today you can see induction cook tops at stores like Sears, Menards and other appliance stores.
Given the above, Gough says that patenting induction today would be like patenting electricity, however the United States Patent office felt that the product was unique enough to award Mr. Gough and his partner at least two patents, one for method the other for apparatus with others pending.
Tom Gough (auto body tech of 28 yrs) and friend Dave Pacholok (electrical engineer) both volunteer Firefighters got together one evening after a Fire Drill. Pacholok was briefing Gough on the principals of induction when an idea struck. Gough realized that there might be a benefit to this process in the auto repair industry. The two friends went on with research and development of the product and started up a new business, Induction Innovations, Inc.
Building and marketing the product initially out of Gough’s basement, while holding full time jobs, Gough says he would take cat naps at times while working in or under a car.
Their first trade show was a success with more to follow. After a year of trade shows, Gough retired from auto body work and operates the company full time with his son Steve. Pacholok continues with new product development.
Gough says their favorite event to go to is IT! Having the opportunity to pull glass, doing live demo’s all week end long (and good food) makes a believer of even the toughest skeptic.
After being in business now for over five years Induction Innovations has several different models to choose from, an Inductor for every aspect of the automotive repair industry, recycling, auto body and mechanical.