They rotate by 7,000 degrees, travel at speeds of up to ten metres per second and move three-dimensionally like snakes: energy chains are made of high-performance plastics. Every two years, a panel of expert judges presents the vector award and up to 5,000 euros of prize money to the most fascinating projects and their developers.
Classical mechanical engineering is no longer the only place energy chains made of plastic are found. All over the world, they ensure that cables and hoses are guided safely – in space, at sea, and underground. In thousands of projects, energy supply systems and cables perform their tasks, overcoming great challenges – from strict particle-free requirements in cleanrooms, in the semiconductor industry to high chemical resistance in electroplating, to dirt resistance in mining to chips and sparks in woodworking. Then there is compact installation space, high speeds, and even acrobatic torsional movements. The vector award honours precisely these unique applications of energy supply solutions and e-chain systems with cables. “The competition is a great opportunity for us as a manufacturer to use our products in the finished machines and systems and learn even more exciting stories about the applications,” said Michael Blass, e-chain systems CEO at igus GmbH and one of the judges. “Fittingly, we are celebrating the plastic energy chain’s 50th anniversary with our customers.”
The winners will be selected by a panel of expert judges from the fields of science, industry, and specialist media and associations and will receive their awards at the 2022 Hannover Trade Show. Compete for the award now at: www.igus.eu/vector
For further information, Website: www.igus.de/presse
