The ET Foundation and the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) issued a call for entries for the 2022 International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition, which will includes two entry classes — Professional and Student. Winners will be awarded a total of $27,000 in cash prizes and scholarships, including a 3,500 Grand Prize awarded across all classes.
The aim of the design competition is to promote the understanding and use of extruded aluminum profiles, as well as highlight innovations and recognize excellence in aluminum extrusion design. Winning entries will be those that demonstrate the benefits of extruded aluminum — whether by inventing a new product or improving an existing one. The design must demonstrate the competition’s objectives of creativity, practicality, product/process improvement, or market impact/potential.
Professionals will compete in a separate competition from students. Entries received in the Professional class will be divided into four categories: Structural/Architectural, Transportation, Engineered Products, and Alternative Energy. A total of $8,000 will be awarded in this class (sponsored by the AEC), with a first place prize of $2,000 awarded for the best design in each category. Individual designers and companies are eligible to submit an entry. Aluminum extruders and their customers are encouraged to team up to enter a design in the competition.
Students studying design and engineering who are enrolled at universities, colleges, and technical, trade, and design schools around the world are invited to participate in the Student class. A total of $15,500 in scholarships will be awarded for the top student designs, including $5,000 for first place, $4,000 for second place, and $3,000 for third place.
Students also may compete for the Sustainable Design Challenge Scholarship Award of $3,500 — a special design category that challenges students to think about aluminum extrusions as a holistic solution to a design problem by designing a product that best addresses societal and/or environmental challenges or concerns.
Student scholarships are sponsored by Almag Aluminum in Brampton, Ontario, Canada; MI Metals in Oldsmar, FL; and Pennex Aluminum Company in Wellsville, PA.
Entries for the 2022 Extrusion Design Competition will be accepted through March 28, 2022. Entry in the competition is free and judging will take place following the entry deadline.
Winners will be announced at the 12th International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar & Exposition (ET ’22), scheduled for May 3-5, 2022, in Orlando, FL, and displayed at the Extrusion Showcase during the event.