The global manus award ceremony was held for the seventh time at the Hannover Messe 2015. Developers from all over the world submitted 467 applications, demonstrating the creative potential when it comes to using polymer bearings. With 73 entries India was the leading country with the highest number of participants. The three most exciting applications out of 73 Indian submissions received the ‘Local manus India’ award at the occasion of Auto Expo 2016. The golden manus with prize amount Rs 1,00,000 was given to ATS ELGI. This company relies on lubrication-free polymer plain bearings from igus at its carwash underbody sprayer. A diagnostic screening device for breast cancer from Tuscano Equipments Pvt Ltd won the silver manus (Rs 75,000). The bronze manus award (Rs 50,000) went to SRG Machines Pvt Ltd for egg sorting machines.

Every two years, interesting applications using polymer plain bearings are chosen for the manus awards. These applications stand out due to their technical and economical efficiency as well as the creativity and boldness of the developer. The entries from all over the world demonstrate the diverse range of application possibilities for polymer plain bearings, from prototype to serial application. Most of the applications for the manus 2015 competition came from India. From these, the three most innovative applications were chosen in a local manus competition and the prizes were awarded during Auto Expo 2016 in New Delhi.

The manufacturer ATS ELGI received the golden manus award. The company relies on robust iglidur bearings for the underbody washing system at its carwash. Since these polymer plain bearings do not corrode, downtimes at the carwash are reduced. Besides the self-lubricating bearings eliminate the need to grease or maintain continually. A screening device from Tuscano Equipment for diagnosing breast cancer secured a second place. In this application, the thermal radiation of the breast is recorded and a thermal map is created. Thanks to the installed iglidur PRT slewing ring bearings, linear slides SLW and ZLW, the machine runs smoothly with low noise. The bronze manus went to SRG Machines Pvt Ltd. for egg sorting machines. These machines segregate eggs into four different weight classes. A lubrication-free and dirt-resistant drylin N system from igus was installed here, which is resistant to corrosion and thus perfect for use in the machines. With this application, that ensured high hygiene standards by eliminating lubrication SRG Machines Pvt. Ltd. won the third place.

Information on the winners and all other applications from previous years is available at: www.manus-award.com