Modern polymer energy supply chains are the umbilical cord of mechanical engineering and automation. They ensure the safe supply of energy, data, signals and media, while being continuously in motion. From cranes to machine tools, from industrial robots to laboratory technology, they can be used universally. The vector award is for creative applications involving the use of energy supply systems in the form of energy chains with cables and hoses. These can be in the form of versatile energy chains with cables.
The vector award is a worldwide joint initiative initiated by igus. The winners will be selected by an expert jury composed of members from the fields of science, specialist media and associations and were awarded on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.
The golden vector award goes to the company Gildemeister Italiana SpA from Italy. 8 energy chains, 64 cables and 73 hoses for supplying liquid, power and signals to the rotating main drum represent the cardiovascular system in a multi-spindle lathe.
The silver vector award goes to the company AlpinaTec Technical Products GmbH from Austria. The “GESTRA” project is a specially developed, radar-based system for searching and mapping space junk. A rotating energy supply and a double-sided double chain system enable a secure supply to the antennas.
The bronze vector award goes to Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH from Germany. The connection structure and media supply in the friction stir welding portal system had to be as flexible as the welding head itself. The solution: a twisterband coupled with an R4 energy chain.
The green vector award goes to the company Drop Water Co from the USA. DropWater is a new sustainable beverage vending machine that fills beverages into compostable containers at the push of a button. A ready-made readychain ensures a secure energy and data supply.
The green vector award goes to the Huber SE company from Germany. Huber SE relies on sewage sludge drying with solar energy in a water treatment plant in Egypt. The drinking water is reprocessed here for 500,000 people. 128 e-chains with a travel of 100 meters are used for the power and energy supply of the system.
In this brochure you will find all submissions of the 2020 vector awards. Download the brochure for free below.
Ken Fouhy
Chief Editor, VDI Nachrichten
Arno Reich
Hannover Messe
Olaf Katzer
Head of Vocational Training Volkswagen AG and Managing Director Robotation
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Brecher
Head of Department, (WZL) - RWTH Aachen
Hans-Jürgen Alt
CEO VDMA NRW
Dip.-Ing. (FH) Reinhold Schäfer
Editor MM MaschinenMarkt
Michael Blaß
Vice president e-chainsystems®, igus® GmbH
igus energy chains are used in two robots, which undertake the drilling and reveting of aircraft fuselages.
The "Hummingbird" is a multitasking tool for the agricultural industry for irrigation and the supply of fertilizer in the fields.
The company "thyssenkrupp Elevator Innovation GmbH" uses igus energy chains in their lift technologies.
The company CorPower Ocean from Sweden uses igus energy chain systems and cables for this Hydroelectric power station.
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