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Modern polymer energy supply chains are the umbilical cord of automation. They ensure the safe supply of energy, data, signals and media, whilst 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.
266 entries from 32 countries were submitted for the 2020 vector award . Each proposal was examined intensively – In the second stage of the selection process, the members of the jury were given the entries that complied with the strict conditions of the competition. During the jury meeting, which this year was conducted digitally for the first time because of the current situation, they chose the most innovative applications in an online voting process.
The gold vector goes to Gildemeister Italiana S. p.A. from Italy 8 energy chains, 64 cables and 73 hoses for the supply of fluids, power and signals to the rotating main drum are the cardiovascular system of a multi-spindle lathe.
The silver vector award goes to AlpinaTec Technical Products GmbH from Austria. The "GESTRA" project is a specially developed, radar-based system used to search for and map space debris. A rotating energy supply system and a double chain system on both sides make reliable supply of the antennae possible.
The bronze vector award goes to Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH from Germany. The adjacent construction and media supply in the friction stir welding machine had to be as flexible as the welding head itself. The solution: a twisterband coupled with an R4 energy chain.
This year, igus is awarding the green vector award for sustainable applications, for the first time, in addition to the awards mentioned above.
The green vector award goes to Drop Water Co from the USA. DropWater is a new sustainable beverage vending machine that fills biodegradable containers with customised beverages at the touch of a button. A harnessed readychain ensures the reliable supply of energy and data.
The green vector award goes to Huber SE from Germany. In a water treatment plant in Egypt, Huber SE relies on solar energy to dry sewage sludge. Here, the drinking water for 500,000 people is treated.
For supplying the equipment with power and energy, 128 e-chains with a travel of 100 metres are used.
In the free brochure, you can find all the entries for the vector awards 2020.
Ken Fouhy
Chief Editor, VDI Nachrichten
Arno Reich
Senior Vice President Industry, Energy & Logistics, Deutsche Messe
Olaf Katzer
Head of Vocational Training at
Volkswagen AG Autostadt and Manager Director of the Robotation Academy
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
