The starting signal for the application phase of the vector award 2026 has been given. For the tenth time, a joint initiative is honouring designers worldwide who use energy chains made of high-performance plastic to create cable guides that set new technological standards. The winners receive up to 5,000 euros in prize money.
The vector award has gained international significance. Over 320 applications from 37 countries were received in 2024. “This impressive response reflects the diversity and innovative spirit of the international engineering community,” says Michael Blass, CEO of e-chain systems at igus. At the same time, it shows the extreme dimensions in which the world of igus energy chains operates. The longest e-chain of type 5050 RHD is a full 670 metres long, installed in a bucket wheel excavator in an Indian power plant, filled with cables weighing several hundred kilograms. Similar giants can be found in harbours around the world, where they carry cables of mobile STS cranes. At the other end of the spectrum, the shortest members of the E2 micro series, measuring just a few centimetres in length, scurry through even the narrowest machine channels, for example in modern industrial robots, medical devices or 3D printers. “However, the applications also show that the demands on energy chains are constantly increasing,” emphasises Michael Blass. The systems have to cope with higher payloads, increasing speeds and dynamic motion sequences in robotics. “Many of the projects are top technical achievements, but they rarely attract public attention. We want to change this with the vector award 2026, which offers designers and companies an international stage for their applications with energy chain systems.”
Applications accepted until 30 January 2026
The competition awards four trophies: the golden vector with 5,000 euros in prize money, the silver vector with 2,500 euros, the bronze vector with 1,000 euros and the green vector for exceptionally sustainable solutions, also worth 1,000 euros. The application phase for the 10th vector award starts on 6 October 2025. All design engineers who use energy chains made of high-performance plastic or plastic hybrid solutions from igus are eligible to take part. The projects must not be in the planning stage, but must already have been successfully implemented. The closing date for entries is 30 January 2026. An independent jury of experts from research, the specialist press and the industry will then meet in Cologne on 26 February to select the winners. The winners will be announced on 8 April 2026.
Compete for the vector award now at: www.igus.eu/vector
Source: igus
