Applications Now Open for the 12th manus Award 2025: Focus on Cost Efficiency and Sustainability
Engineers Invited to Compete for the 2025 manus Award in Plastic Bearing Innovation
01 October 2024 – igus®, the Germany-based manufacturer of motion plastics, announced today that the application phase is now open for the prestigious 12th manus Awards.
For over two decades, igus has recognized innovative applications of polymer plain bearings that demonstrate creativity, technical excellence, and sustainability. Engineers from across the globe are invited to submit their projects, showcasing how plastic plain bearings have been used to enhance performance while reducing costs and environmental impact. Winners of the Manus Award will receive up to €5,000 in prize money.
In today’s fast-paced engineering environment, the demands for greater cost efficiency and reduced carbon footprints are ever-increasing. The use of lubrication-free polymer plain bearings has emerged as an effective solution to meet these challenges.
“In collaboration with RWTH Aachen University, we recently demonstrated that plastic bearings, which operate without lubricants, can significantly improve both environmental and economic outcomes when compared to traditional lubricated metal bearings,” explains Tobias Vogel, CEO of Plain Bearings & Linear Technology at igus.
The integrated solid lubricants within polymer bearings contribute to a more sustainable production process and minimize pollution risks.
With the 2025 manus Award launch, igus aims to spotlight innovative applications where polymer plain bearings replace conventional metal bearings. The competition encourages submissions highlighting the technical improvements achieved and the ecological and financial benefits realized through these advanced plastic components.
“We are particularly interested in learning how companies have leveraged polymer plain bearings to improve both technical and environmental aspects of their applications,” adds Vogel.
Independent Judges to Evaluate Creativity and Technical Innovation
The competition is open to all engineers using solid plastic or plastic compound plain bearings, including linear and spherical variants. Qualified entries must feature at least one functional version of the device that clearly demonstrates igus plastic bearings’ technical, ecological, and economic advantages. An independent panel of experts from academia, industry, and media will review the applications. The judges will prioritize innovation, creativity, and the solutions’ boldness.
The deadline for submissions is January 17, 2025. Winners will be awarded a total prize of up to €5,000 and recognition from industry peers for their forward-thinking applications.
manus Award: A Growing Global Competition
Since its inception, the manus Award has become a significant international competition, attracting widespread participation. In 2023, igus received 480 entries from 36 countries. Among the standout winners was J&M Manufacturing, an Ohio-based company that received the Gold manus Award for its agricultural plow utilizing environmentally friendly, lubrication-free polymer plain bearings. The Silver award went to the French company Aufratech for its exoskeleton design that facilitates fatigue-free operation of high-pressure cleaners, while Fiedler Maschinenbau und Technikvertrieb GmbH took the bronze for their high-pressure cleaning system for municipal vehicles. Additionally, the Green manus Award was presented to Rockinger Agriculture GmbH for their development of a maintenance-free ball coupling used in various agricultural machinery.
For more information, including the competition terms and conditions, application form, and details on previous winners, visit www.igus.com/plastic-bearings/manus-award
