Three SPE Awards for EMS-GRIVORY

At the 16th SPE Award Night, the Society of Plastics Engineers presented their coveted awards for the most innovative automotive applications using plastic materials in the automotive sector. Three applications using EMS materials were each nominated for one of these prestigious awards, but competition was stiff with a total of more than 40 applications entered. In the run-up to the award ceremony, the jury had announced that all entries were of a very high quality.

Challenging applications

In the category "Body Interior" two applications using EMS polymers were nominated. The first was an air vent from fischer automotive systems, used in the Mercedes A, B and C Class models. Thanks to utilisation of deep black Grilamid TR Piano Black material, the air vent has a very noble appearance as well as high scratch resistance and excellent resistance to chemicals.

The second component was an instrument panel support for BMW. This part is made of long fibre reinforced Grivory GVL and is the first instrument panel supporting structure in the world to be made of thermoplastic materials. Thanks to high-performance polymers from EMS, this component is significantly lighter in weight and less expensive to manufacture than the previously used metal solution.

In the "Power Train" category a gear shift module made by FTE automotive was nominated. This component is made of long fibre reinforced Grivory HT and is used in the dual clutch transmission of all Audi models. Its function is to work the gear selector shafts which change gear up or down and it is also significantly lighter in weight and less expensive than its metal forerunner. In addition, this part is permanently exposed to gear oil and must withstand large temperature fluctuations from -40 to +140 °C.

fig.: The air vent made of Grilamid TR Piano Black by fischer automotive systems

EMS sweeps the board

EMS was entitled to have high hopes for an award, but it was still a surprise when all three nominated applications were awarded a prize. The air vent made of classy Grilamid TR Piano Black took third place in the category "Body Interior" while the innovative instrument panel went right to the top and was awarded the first prize in this category.

The real high flyer, however, was the gear shift module. The excellent surface quality of this component, with roughness values of Rz < 4, is absolutely exceptional for components made of fibre-reinforced materials and amazed even the most experienced members of the jury. In addition, this module makes assembly in the gear box simpler and lowers cost and weight. So much innovation earns special honours and accordingly, the component received not only the "Innovation Award" in the "Power Train" category, but also the "Grand Innovation Award" for exceptional innovation in all categories and was the overall winner of the evening.

EMS-GRIVORY is extremely proud of this success. These awards provide great motivation for us to continue to surprise the industry with further innovative solutions in future.

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