2018 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition winners highlight advantages of extrusion

The winners of the ET Foundation’s 2018 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition were announced during Extrusion Design University – EDU ’18 held May 15-17, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. Seven designs were recognized, including two professionals and five students, for designs that showcased the versatility and advantages of products using aluminum extrusions. Awards were announced by Jason Pickering, Vice President of Operations at Bonnell Aluminum in Newnan, GA; the AEC member company sponsored the 2018 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition.

The competition received 72 entries; 58 student entries from 16 schools, including design/technical schools, universities and high schools from 7 different countries and 14 professional entries from 9 different countries.

The Grand Prize of $3,500 was awarded to Micaela Morris, Director of Business Operations at Roll-a-Cover International in Bethany, CT, for the company’s customizable retractable glass enclosures.

“The use of aluminum extrusions in Roll-a-Cover’s product provides businesses and homeowners with a creative solution for transforming previously weather-exposed areas into usable spaces year round,” said competition judge Todd Boyer.

“Aluminum extrusion’s light weight is a major advantage for this design,” said competition judge Joseph Benedyk. “Plus, because aluminium doesn’t rust there are reduced maintenance costs and the enclosures will look beautiful and last for a long time, likely lowering the total cost of ownership versus steel when the costs of materials, shipping, and installation are considered.”

The winner in the Transportation Category for the Professional Class was Michael van der Bent of Schiedam, The Netherlands, earning him a $2,000 cash award for his “Curvetrike” design. The Curvetrike is an extreme curving tricycle for racing that uses curving motion to create a forward momentum. It can be used for downhill, off road and racing.

In the Student Class, five students were recognized, with three students in attendance at EDU ’18 to accept their scholarship awards.  Sydney Smith, a sophomore Industrial Design student at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, received the $3,000 First Place Scholarship Award for her “N-Former” outdoor informational box design. The student used aluminium extrusion for this design because of its resistance to corrosion, making it an ideal material for the outdoor application. “Extrusion allows for height adjustments not found in most interactive signs,” noted Smith.

Tessa Barnes, a sophomore studying Industrial Design at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL received the $2,000 Second Place Scholarship Award for her “Extension” prosthetic device for musicians. “Prosthetic devices exist for instruments such as drums and strings but the prosthetics currently on the market for brass instruments are merely stands that keep the instrument stationary and can only be used indoors,” noted Barnes in her entry.

Bheumsoo “Kyle” Kim, a sophomore Industrial Design student from Purdue University, received the Third Place $1,000 Scholarship Award for his “Foldo” folding wheel barrow. The “Foldo” is a new design concept that uses aluminium extruded parts to create a folding wheel barrow that also allows for portability and easy storage.

The $2,500 Sustainable Design Scholarship Award winner was Jon Beldner, a sophomore from Purdue University, for his “Blade” Home Aquaponics System.

The judges appreciated the design that uses aluminum extrusion to create a system that is more user-friendly with built-in grip areas in the extrusion profile for easy removal of the grow bed and the pivoting grow light.

Emma Jacobs, a senior from Sherwood High School in Sherwood, OR, was recognized with a $500 Honorable Mention Scholarship Award for her “Alum Shoe” design. The Alum Shoe is an aluminum track that can be fitted with a rubber pad.