Questions?
Visit the PMA Web site for general information and to contact urethane and curative suppliers among the PMA membership.
Questions concerning the competition can be submitted to info@pmahome.org.
The Polyurethane Manufacturers Association is proud to present the
Surprisingly Versatile Design Competition
For your chance to win, use versatile cast polyurethane to redesign any component traditionally made from rubber, plastic or metal.
Specifications Submission Guidelines Important Dates
Specifications
Your designed component can be utilized in any application area, but will be judged on its utility in its actual application.
Submit a written report, CAD design file and a finished prototype product for a part that uses castable urethane instead of a common metal, rubber, or plastic. The part must be designed to be made of solid polyurethane, which is cast from mixing a liquid urethane prepolymer with a curative or chain extender. The mixed two-component system is typically a liquid that can be incorporated into a variety of molding techniques, including the most common open cast method.
The urethane part should contain less than 10 percent of additives and fillers. The typical urethane hardness range is 40 Shore A to 80 Shore D. The part may also be bonded to other substrates such as metal or fabric as a utility requires, for instance a metal or plastic insert of a wheel or nylon cord in a belting application. The urethane part may be machined or modified after molding.
To make the prototype product, contestants can work with local cast polyurethane manufacturers to cast and build the part. Contestants must notify Brenda Campbell at
bcampbell@insideSH.com to be paired up with a local manufacturer.
Submission Guidelines
Submission of entries should include a written report that fully describes the utility, shape and size of the part. The report should also describe the composition or chemistry of part; the process that was used to design it; rationale for using cast polyurethane in the application; and the expected benefits from the material. The report should be accompanied by a CAD design file and a finished prototype product.
All entries must be sent to the PMA headquarters for judging and display at the PMA meeting in Florida. The scholarship winner will be selected from the written report, CAD design file and finished prototype product. Projects will not be returned.
Important Dates
Project papers, designs and finished parts must be submitted by February 15, 2011 to scholarship@pmahome.org. The winning contestant will be selected by the PMA Education Panel and will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
Judges will select the winner by March 10, 2011. The winner will receive their scholarship at PMA’s 40th Anniversary Annual Meeting and Supplier Showcase, April 10-12, 2011, at Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Fla. Travel expenses will be paid by the PMA up to $1,000.
