Space Scientists awarded Golden Vector 2024 by igus

By OEM Update Editorial July 8, 2024 6:52 pm

The Vector Award honours the boldest and most exciting projects with energy chains. Igus honours the spectrograph from the Institute of Astrophysics at the University of Lisbon as the most spectacular energy chain application.

igus recognises the most spectacular energy chain applications with an award every two years. This year, there were 328 entries from 37 countries. The silver vector goes to TDK RF Solutions, which has developed a test rig for driver assistance systems, and the bronze vector to MECAoctet for their movable nightclub ceiling. Bear Machines GmbH was delighted to receive the green vector for particularly sustainable energy chain applications for a machine that automatically recuts tyres.

The spectrograph has a field of view the size of the moon and can simultaneously observe over 1,000 objects in the visible and near-infrared wavelength range. It is the result of a long development process with various design challenges. One was the safe guidance of the sensitive optical fibres that transport the light from a rotating front end to the spectrograph. Here, the engineers used energy chains made of high-performance plastic from the triflex series from igus. They ensure that the fibres are not exposed to any stress during movement that could jeopardise the scientific observations. According to the engineers, the energy chains fulfil this task reliably even at an altitude of 2,670 metres and when exposed to high ozone levels.

Silver vector prize goes to TDK RF Solutions from USA

TDK RF Solutions dedicates its engineering skills to vehicles with driver assistance systems. To test their electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), the US company is developing a test rig for vehicle-in-the-loop (VIL) tests. The engineers rely on energy chains from igus’s 1400 series to guide control cables and compressed-air hoses along these axes.

Bronze vector awarded to MECAoctet

The French company MECAoctet has realised a movable ceiling for a nightclub in the Accor Arena in Paris. According to MECAoctet, the igus solution allowed complex coils with rotating collectors to be avoided, which would have been very expensive and unreliable.

The Green vector goes to Bear Machines GmbH, Germany

This year’s green vector prize goes to Bear Machines GmbH. The Heek-based company has developed a semi-automatic machine called Bear-Cut, which recuts tyres on cars and trucks. The engineers switched to robust yet flexible cables from igus’s chainflex range, which moves in e-chains from the E2 series.

Power cables, data cables and hydraulic hoses are the lifelines of machines, systems and vehicles. Cable guidance is becoming increasingly demanding as it has to meet the challenges of modern applications – progressive miniaturisation, the complex motion sequences of robots with their acrobatic 3D manoeuvres or sensor technology trends such as predictive maintenance. Engineers worldwide achieve top performance here every day with energy chains made of high-performance plastic from igus.

The competition is a global joint initiative launched by igus.

For more information, visit – http://www.vector-award.eu.