Winners of the 7th European Thermoforming Parts Competition 2018

In 2006 the European Thermoforming Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers sought the first time to initiate an independent, sector-oriented award, the European Thermoforming Parts Award.

This Award stands for first-class innovative achievements in originality, creativity, mould complexity and technical ability in order to promote advanced design and developments of thermoformed applications.

For the 7th time, in 2018 the European Thermoforming Parts Award once again highlighted applications selected by the jury at the recent European Thermoforming Conference in Rome (Italy) from 14 – 16 March 2018.

The Awards Winners are:

1st Prize Winner: Thick Gauge - Vehicle/Automotive Applications

Back lightable thermoformed real stone decorative baguette produced by Walter Pack.

PART DESCRIPTION: Back lightable thermoformed real stone decorative baguette

PART DIMENSIONS: 430 x 60mm

MATERIAL TYPE:MATERIAL GAUGE: 1mm

SHEET SUPPLIER: Confidential

MOULDMAKER:. Walter Pack

ANY UNIQUE QUALITIES FOR CONSIDERATION:

This 1mm thick film is made of natural stone layer adhered to a transparent thermoplastic. They have been thermoformed and injected with a transparent thermoplastic, thus enabling backlighting effects.

The judges particularly appreciated the innovation for stone thermoforming. This original application by its translucent or opaque declination in the automobile cladding make the piece a unique product enhancing the innovative spirit of our industry. 

1st Prize Winner: Thick Gauge - Medical Applications

PART DESCRIPTION: “The Hood”, is the lid of a new incubator (Baby Leo 500) produced by VDL Wientjes Roden.

PART DIMENSIONS:800 x 600 x 200

MATERIAL TYPE: Casted Acrylic, glass clear

MATERIAL GAUGE: 6mm

SHEET SUPPLIER: Altuglas

MOULDMAKER: Tooling Holland

ANY UNIQUE QUALITIES FOR CONSIDERATION: 

The mould is made out of steel and tempering is set up like an injection mould furthermore it is chromed on all the spots where the sheet is touching the mould (only 10% of the surface). Chrome plated steal tool and plug with several thermoregulation systems and air support. Weight tool over 600kg and plug over 200kg. After the milling process the product has to be complete flat in a specified plain and complete glass clear. The processing is something between forming and pressing the material in a particular shape.

The judges particularly appreciated the perfect transparency and material distribution of this premature baby incubator cover. This cover dismounts the superb quality that can be obtained on important parts in thermoforming in front of an injected part.

1st Prize Winner: Thin gauge - General Packaging

PART DESCRIPTION: Thermofored tray made of polypropylene clarified with Milliken’s Millad® NX™  8000 produced by Milliken Europe

PART DIMENSIONS: 19*24cm

MATERIAL TYPE:  NX™  UltraClear™ Polypropylene

ANY UNIQUE QUALITIES FOR CONSIDERATION: 

Glass-clear transparency

Sealing in freshness

Lightweight & productivity gains

Hot filling, retort & microwave ability

Stiffness & impact strength

Recycling & sustainability

The judges particularly appreciated the weight reduction of the 14g to 12g tray, or-16%. The tray PP has kept the transparency of the original tray in PET and now allows to be used in the microwave oven or for hot filling with same stiffness and impact strength.

1st Prize Winner: Thin gauge - Vehicle/Automotive Applications

”DC wall” produced by RPC Promens.

PART DESCRIPTION: A partition between the cargo compartment and the passenger compartment

PART DIMENSIONS: 1663 x 1408 x 540 mm

MATERIAL TYPE: ABS

MATERIAL GAUGE: Thick

SHEET SUPPLIER: 

MOULDMAKER:. 

ANY UNIQUE QUALITIES FOR CONSIDERATION: 

The judges particularly appreciated the high optical quality - visible from both sides. Very complex shapes -  high pre-blow (600mm). This part must hold the glued glass - high security part according to ISO 27956.

7th European Thermoforming PARTS Competition 2018

‘Each entry a fascinating success Story in its own right’

On the occasion of the next conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers - European Thermoforming Division’s 11th Biennial European Thermoforming Conference on 14-16 March 2018 in Rome, Italy, thermoformers are invited to participate in the European Thermoforming Parts Competition.

Originality, creativity, mould complexity and technical ability will be the judging criteria in order to promote advanced design and developments from a structural innovation perspective.

Entries with Thick Gauge Parts will be judged in the categories of:

• • Vehicle/Automotive
• • Industrial
• • Point of Purchase/Displays
• • Technical Applications
• • Sanitary
• • Other

Entries with Thin Gauge Parts will be judged in the categories of:

• • Food Applications
• • Medical Applications
• • Electronical Applications
• • General Packaging
• • Other

The essential points of the European Thermoforming Parts Competition are the design-oriented application of materials and the successful combination of technical innovation and design quality.

The aims of the European Thermoforming Parts Competition are to highlight potentially new design-orientated market opportunities by combining the innovative with the traditional and by pushing back the current boundaries of material performance.

The award winners will be presented at the conference. We look forward to receiving your contribution.

Michel Py
ChairParts Committee

Information about the Conference, Sponsorship, Tabletop display and the Parts Exhibition may be obtained from

Yetty Pauwels at
SPE European Thermoforming Division,
Eric Sasselaan 51, B-2020 Antwerpen,
Belgium
Tel.: +32 3 541 77 55 -
E-mail: spe.etd(at)skynet.be / www.e-t-d.org

Winners of the 6th European Thermoforming Parts Competition 2016

In 2006 the European Thermoforming Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers sought the first time to initiate an independent, sector-oriented award, the European Thermoforming Parts Award.

This Award stands for first-class innovative achievements in originality, creativity, mould complexity and technical ability in order to promote advanced design and developments of thermoformed applications.

For the 6th time, in 2016 the European Thermoforming Parts Award once again highlighted applications selected by the jury at the recent European Thermoforming Conference in Sitges (Barcelona) from 9 – 11 March 2016.

The Awards Winners are:

1st Prize Winner: Heavy Gauge - Vehicle/Automotive Applications

”Engine Hood” + 50 components integrated in a Plug and Play function, produced by Technoplast Industries, France.

Material type: ABS PMMA + PA6 15% GF

Unique qualities: 150°C (continuous) /170°C (peak) high resistance to chemicals/fluids because of double skin in PA6 + 15% GF.

Jury´s motivation:
 ”A large area cosmetic forming but for an industrial application. Surface finish is good. Well formed and trimmed – both parts are well assembled, good integrity in bonding and highly functional part”.

1st Prize Winner: Heavy Gauge - Building Applications

”VELUX Roof Dome”1000x1500  produced by Formplast, Sweden.

Material type: PC UV

Unique qualities: the high optical quality on the thermoformed part.  To reach the very high demand of optical clarity by use of normal positive thermoforming is very difficult.

Jury´s motivation:
” Excellent clarity using a fairly complex sheet material which requires a great deal of preparation. Good industrial application - high risk product”.

1st Prize Winner: Thin gauge - Food Packaging Applications

”Veggiefresh” IML-T Tubs and Lids with premium decoration qualities, produced by RPC Bebo Plastik, Germany.

Material type: PP

Unique qualities: wide label coverage of body incl. stacking rim, barrier options through multilayer sheet for oxygen and UV barrier, as well as light protection, utilization of existing tools…..

Jury´s motivation:
”The way to beat injection moulding, nice volume thermoformed IML to the product”.

1st Prize Winner: Thin gauge - Vehicle/Automotive Applications

”Back lighted Day-Night effect baguette” produced by WalterPack, Spain.

Material type: PC with multi-layer of inks

Unique qualities:  a 10 layer printed foil, high pressure formed at 100 Bar, UV cured and back injected part to obtain a decorative back lighted baguette for automotive applications with a day-nigh effect..

Jury´s motivation:
”Advance high pressure forming – superbly done”.

The Members of the Jury Committee 2016 were:

Niklas Magnusson (Chair Parts Committee),
Thin Gauge: Preben Thomsen, Michel Py, Hans Lauridsen
Heavy Gauge: Rich Freeman, Jeff Pitt, Andy McGarry

Winners of the 5th European Thermoforming Parts Competition 2014

In 2006 the European Thermoforming Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers sought the first time to initiate an independent, sector-oriented award, the European Thermoforming Parts Award.

This Award stands for first-class innovative achievements in originality, creativity, mould complexity and technical ability in order to promote advanced design and developments of thermoformed applications.

Now, for the 5th time, in 2014 the European Thermoforming Parts Award once again highlighted applications selected by the jury at the recent European Thermoforming Conference in Prague from 3 – 4 April 2014.

The awards winners are:

1st Prize Winner: Thick Gauge - Automotive Applications

Door assembly for Renault Twizy electric car

Winner: Company Walter Pack

Part: Door assembly for Renault Twizy electric car

Material type: ABS-PC and ABS

Assembly of 5 plastic parts, plus 3 metallic inserts, to obtain a door with total tolerances of ±1,5 mm

Jury´s motivation:

”High quality cosmetic part respecting tight tolerances set by the highly demanding automotive application”

1st Prize Winner: Thick Gauge - Point of Purchase/Display

Telia sign

Winner: Company LOGOFORM AB 

Part: Indoor and outdoor sign for phone company TELIA

Material type: PETG

The part is formed on a positive tool with a split top and a soft hood. Screen printed on the back with rounded sides to give the impression the sign is ”hovering”

Jury´s motivation:

”An innovative tool design enabling undercut parts that are cosmetically perfect, creating new design possibilities for smaller volumes in thermoforming”.

1st Prize Winner: Thin Gauge - Electronical Applications

LO-G Retail Carry Pack

Winner: Company Protective Packaging Systems

Part: LO-G Retail Carry Pack

Material type: Black Recycled HDPE

The product to be packaged is a state of the art telecommunications unit to be either sold ‘on-line’ or through retail outlets globally.

Important factors to consider:

• The customer ‘opening experience’
• Reduce the current pack size if possible
• To incorporate a ‘carry handle’ arrangement within the pack design
• To radically improve the corporate image of the pack
• To ensure the kitting operation was a simple process fo product and multiple accessories
• To ensure adequate protection of product during storage and transportation by incorporating innovative impact absorbing features.
• Packaging materials used to be fully sustainable
• Ideally the pack should be stackable
• A sleeve system would be the ideal ‘secondary packaging’       
• Obviously, the solution needs to be competitive to current packaging systems

Jury´s motivation:

”An innovative fragility packaging design incorporating impact absorbing thermoformed features to protect sensitive electronic parts during storage and transit.

The Members of the Jury Committee were:  Niklas Magnusson (Chair, Sweden), Marc Ommeslagh (Belgium), Hannes Jacob (Germany) and Karel Kouba (Czech Republic)

4th European Thermoforming Parts Competition 2012

The Thermoforming Parts Competition attracted a diverse range of entries which offered the visitors a unique insight of how innovative product design combined with modern materials and processes can produce inspirational structural, cosmetic and highly functional parts. There were several examples of how thermoformed parts can support demands in completely new market sectors.

The winners of this year’s Parts Competition were:

Heavy Gauge Automotive

Winner: Company Walter Pack (Spain).

Part: Window for Renault Twizy. 

Jury´s motivation: “Winner due to processing highly complex polycarbonate sheet material free from moisture and dust contamination on an industrial scale which requires high level of processing control, careful logistic management and well designed tooling. A light weight innovative product in a demanding environment”.

Heavy Gauge Non-Automotive

Winner: Company Solera Thermoform Group (Italy).

Part: Long Chair Avus. 

Jury´s motivation: “Winner due to originality of design, clever use of cosmetic materials, and an excellent example of a high performing light weight structure produced using the twin sheet processing technology”

Thin Gauge  

Winner: Company Generation Tech (France).

Part: Paint Tray multi-layer. 

Jury´s motivation: “Winner due to thermoforming 5 layers simultaneously, also using recycled material; the product is not only environmentally friendly, but also potentially opens up new application areas for the thermoforming industry.

The Thermoforming Parts Competition Award goes to outstanding and innovative designs or processes in the field of thermoformed components.