SPE Names Winners of Plastics for Life Global Parts Competition.
Press Release Summary:
During ANTEC® 2016, SPE honored plastic products that make lives better. Judges selected winners of third annual Plastics for Life™ Global Parts Competition, and People’s Choice award was presented to part that received greatest number of votes from ANTEC attendees. Winners included Plastitel Inc. (GRAND PRIZE), Delphi Automotive PLC (SUSTAINING LIFE), Promogroup (PROTECTING LIFE), Sonoco Plastics (PROTECTING LIFE), Productive Plastics Inc. (IMPROVING LIFE), and SureCan Inc. (PEOPLE’S CHOICE).
Original Press Release:
SPE Announces Winners of Plastics for Life(TM) Global Parts Competition at Antec® 2016
INDIANAPOLIS, U.S.A.: During this week’s ANTEC® 2016 plastics technical conference, the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) honored plastic products that meet the ultimate test of value by in some way making our lives better.
The annual ANTEC is SPE’s largest event and the world’s leading plastics technical conference. A panel of judges selected the winners of the 3rd annual Plastics for Life™ Global Parts Competition from among a wide range of parts that had already won in competitions at previous SPE events during the past year. In addition, a People’s Choice award was presented to the part that received the greatest number of votes from ANTEC attendees.
The award categories and winners are:
GRAND PRIZE: Plastitel Inc.--vacuum thermoformed TPU pods serving as the support surface of the Isolibrium patient bed from Stryker Corp. The pods are the main support surface of the IsoLibrium bed, facilitating patient mobility and ensuring regular movement. This aids in the function of vital organs, reduce bed sores, and improve circulation. Two major challenges were ensuring a minimum thickness on every individual pod and accurately measuring them.
SUSTAINING LIFE: Delphi Automotive PLC--an overmolded polyamide heated tip fuel injector for Honda Motor Company. An electrical heater within the injector is energized by the vehicle controller, rapidly heating the ethanol fuel and thereby dramatically improving vaporization and reducing emissions. By making possible reduced fueling during engine warm-up, these injectors also offer reduced emissions on ethanol and gasoline applications. Total hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions were reduced by 40% - 70%.
PROTECTING LIFE: Promogroup--plastic/metal hybrid floor rocker reinforcement for the 2015 Fiat Chrysler Jeep Renegade. This honeycomb reinforcement was designed for high-energy, high-speed side impact crashes. The use of this solution reduces the component weight by 45% versus the steel solution, or 1 kg/vehicle, with the added benefit of a 10% cost reduction. This new technology sets a precedent for similar applications across the body structure, including 30-40% mass reduction from each reinforcement, performance comparable to high strength steel, and ease of assembly.
QUALITY OF LIFE: Sonoco Plastics--39 ml blow molded VariBlend dual dispensing bottle. The VariBlend dispenser sits atop a two-compartment bottle. A new design locks securely to ensure the package will travel without leaking and the product will maintain its integrity. Consumers can select different formula strengths by turning the dial on the dispenser, satisfying their demand for product personalization and freshness. Six positions exist, or brand owners can set fixed ratios. Keeping products separate until time of use keeps them fresher for longer. Designed for products that come in multiple strengths, require ingredient segregation, offer shade/ color selection, or need mixing and blending. Submitted by toolmaker FGH Systems.
IMPROVING LIFE: Productive Plastics Inc.—nine pressure formed parts for covers for an MRI medical scanning device. Utilizing cast and machined molds to ensure no shrink tolerance and CNC linear tolerances for molded in dimensions. All parts utilized pushers to pre-stretch materials. Use of Sekisui’s Kydex T sheet made it possible to maintain the required wall thickness and consistency over multiple runs. The parts include undercuts and are formed in mating parts to better line up for fit. The assembly allows for the parts to fit a separate metal frame that is assembled at the staging location. This custom hardware reduced the amount of tools required to install and service, and reduced the total time required for installation and service.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: SureCan Inc.—blow molded gasoline can. The 2.2 and 5.0 gallon can makes it possible to direct how and where fuel is dispensed, with a rotating nozzle, thumb trigger, and hand support grips at the bottom. The thumb safety trigger securely seals the vent on top of the can. The thumb button assembly is made up of two main parts, the thumb button itself and the safety trigger. The vent does not open or release any air unless the safety trigger is pulled straight back and then depressed with the main thumb button. On average the SureCan releases fuel at a rate of about 2 gallons per minute.
SPE is the premier source of peer-reviewed technical information for plastics professionals. Founded in 1942, SPE takes action every day to help individuals involved with the plastics industry succeed by spreading knowledge, strengthening skills, and promoting plastics. Employing these vital strategies, SPE has helped the plastics industry thrive for over 70 years. SPE has become the recognized medium of communication among all plastics professionals, including scientists, engineers, and sales, management, and technical personnel engaged in the development, conversion, and application of plastics. For more information, please visit http://www.4spe.org.
Robert J. Martino
Martino Communications Inc.
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