Student entries sought for 2017 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition

The ET Foundation, the educational and scientific organization devoted to promoting and advancing aluminum extrusion processes and technologies, and Bonnell Aluminum are seeking entries for the 2017 International Aluminum Extrusion Student Design Competition.  Scholarships in the form of cash awards will be presented to the top designs.  Bonnell Aluminum will be the sole sponsor for the cash awards, totaling $8,500. This is the third year Bonnell Aluminum is sponsoring the Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition. The ET Foundation will accept entries for the 2017 International Aluminum Extrusion Student Design Competition through March 27, 2017. Entry in the competition is free and judging will take place following the entry deadline.

Scholarships will be presented as cash awards to the top student designs, including $3,000 for First Place, $2,000 for Second Place, and $1,000 for Third Place. Students also may compete for the Bonnell Aluminum LED Lighting Design Scholarship Award of $2,500.  The special design category challenges students to think about aluminum extrusions as a holistic solution to a design problem by designing a product that incorporates LED lights and uses aluminum extrusions for structural, thermal management and/or some of the other material advantages for this application. Essentially, the winning entry must be a viable extrusion-based product that incorporates LED lights and meets the demands of the application while demonstrating the students’ understanding of the process, design limitations and material property advantages of aluminum extrusion. The design can be for residential or commercial, interior or exterior use. Examples include a park bench, a solar sign board, stairway or structure lighting, or road signs, all with incorporated LED lights.  Students are encouraged to think beyond a simple light fixture.
 
“The important distinction for this special LED Design Challenge is that students use the resources available on the Aluminum Extruders Council’s website (www.aec.org) and apply what they learn about the process and applications, the dos and don’ts of extrusion design, and the many advantages of using extrusions to solve design challenges,” said David Asher, Process Optimization Manager for Bonnell Aluminum in Newnan, Georgia, and Design Competition judge.