Wanted: applications with plastic plain bearings - igus launches application phase for manus award 2025

12th edition of polymer plain bearing competition focuses on cost savings and sustainability

It's that time again: engineers from all over the world are invited to apply for the 12th manus award 2025. igus has been awarding applications characterized by creative, bold and sustainable use of plastic plain bearings for 21 years. Winners will receive prize money of up to €5,000.

The pressure on engineers in their daily work is constantly increasing. It's all about cost efficiency and continuously improving the carbon footprint of products. One thing that can help is getting rid of lubricants. "In a recent study with RWTH Aachen University, we were able to prove for the first time how successfully lubricant-free plastic bearings meet both challenges compared to conventional lubricated metal bearings," says Tobias Vogel, CEO plain bearings and linear technology at igus. Polymer plain bearings with integrated solid lubricants make it possible to improve the environmental balance and economic efficiency of products and eliminate the risk of contamination. "With the 12th manus award, we are therefore particularly interested in how companies around the world manage to move away from traditional metal plain bearings. Where could polymer plain bearings technically improve the application? And what were the ecological and economic effects?" says Vogel.

Independent jury honors courage and creativity

engineers can now apply for the 12th manus award. All applications with plain bearings, linear plain bearings and spherical plain bearings made of solid plastic or plastic assemblies are accepted. At least one functional version of the device must be available in which the technical advantages and ecological and economic benefits of plastic bearings can be recognized. Winners are chosen by an independent jury of experts from research, trade press and industry. The judges place particular emphasis on courage and creativity, which can lead to high ratings. Winners will receive prize money of up to €5,000. The deadline for entries is Jan. 17, 2025.

manus award is very popular

The manus award has become an increasingly important international event. In 2023, igus received 480 entries from 36 countries. J&M Manufacturing, an American company, received the gold manus for an agricultural plow equipped with lubricant-free, environmentally friendly polymer sliding bearings. The silver manus went to the French company Aufratech for an exoskeleton that enables fatigue-free work with pressure washers. Fiedler Maschinenbau und Technikvertrieb GmbH won the bronze manus for a new type of high-pressure cleaner for municipal vehicles. Rockinger Agriculture GmbH, which has developed a maintenance-free and lubricant-free ball coupling for pickup trucks, manure spreaders, tippers and sprayers, was delighted with the green manus award.

Terms and conditions, the entry form and a list of previous winners can be found at www.igus.eu/manus.