Winning entries in the 2021 LEAP (Leadership in Engineering Achievement Program) Awards were announced by WTWH Media today in 12 categories:
Additive Manufacturing Connectivity Embedded Computing Hydraulics Industrial Automation Mechanical Motion Control Pneumatics Power Electronics Software Switches & Sensors, and Test & Measurement.
These brands cross four of the company’s design engineering brands: Design World, Fluid Power World, Fastener Engineering, and EE World. This year’s winners were chosen by an independent judging panel of 12 engineering and academic professionals. For each category, judges could award Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Honorable Mentions, but note that all categories do not necessarily have all of these medalists, based on the scoring. The winners are:
Gold HP HP Molded Fiber Advanced Tooling Solution
The judges commented: “Automating a traditionally manual process is no easy feat… cutting down fabrication time AND having more precise, lighter results… incredible!” Congratulations!
Silver EOS EOS M 300-4: The Future of Metal 3D Printing and Production
Gold Astera Labs Aries Smart Retimer Portfolio for CXL 2.0
The judges commented: “A powerful and innovative addition to the system designers’ toolbox.” Congratulations!
Silver binder USA Series 670 NCC Subminiature Connector
Bronze HARTING har-Modular: Create Your Own PCB Connector
Honorable Mention Littelfuse SPXI In-Line Solar Fuse
Honorable Mention Molex Mirror Mezz
Gold Maxim Integrated Products MAX78000 Low-Power Neural Network Accelerated Microcontroller
The judges commented: “Very impressed by executing AI inferences at less than 1/100th the energy of other embedded solutions, improving run-time for battery-powered AI applications.” Congratulations!
Silver Infineon Technologies SEMPER™ Secure NOR Flash
Bronze Sequans Communications Monarch 2 GM02S Module
Honorable Mention Ambarella CV5 Edge AI Vision SoC
Gold Fluid Metering, Inc. The FVD Variable Dispense Next Generation All-In-One Pump
The judges commented: “The reduction of components by combining 3 functions within one pump is innovative. Fewer components mean fewer potential leakage points; and system better system reliability.” Congratulations!
Silver HydraForce, Inc. HydraForce IoT
Bronze Eaton CMT valve section for the CMA advanced mobile valve
Gold Chieftek Precision USA Co., Ltd. Ultra Thin linear motor stage, Mini Robot
The judges commented: “Compact, accurate and efficient.” This is ideal for high-speed, low-payload applications, where very compact size is required.” Congratulations!
Silver EZAutomation/AVG Automation EZTouch EZ7 Series Detachable Front
Bronze (tie) Phoenix Contact USA NearFi coupler
Bronze (tie) Weidmuller Rockstar Heavy Duty Connector
Honorable Mention Nexen Group NexSafe™ Functional Safety Certified Rod Locks
Honorable Mention Akribis Systems Punch and Pack
Honorable Mention Schmersal AZM40 Electronic Solenoid Interlock
Gold BRECOflex Co., L.L.C. BRECOroll Timing Belts
The judges commented: “The eloquent idea lowers heat and friction for a common application. Multiple installations in a facility add up to lower energy bills and less overall ambient heat.” Congratulations!
Silver IKO International IKO CRBTF Crossed Roller Bearings
Bronze Ogura Industrial Corp Brake & Mechanical Torque Limiter Combination for Cobots
Gold Beckhoff Automation XPlanar flying motion system
The judges commented: “The revolutionary XPlanar approach helps move product effortlessly with a smooth, vibration less exit across a production floor. If feasible, products on the XPlanar platters can be on the X-Y axis (right side up or upside down) and on the Z vertical axis. Excellent innovation.” Congratulations!
Silver Delta Electronics SCARA Robot with integrated 5th axis
Bronze (tie) POSITAL-FRABA Inc. POSITAL 22-mm diameter kit encoders for motor feedback
Bronze (tie) Dover Motion SmartStage XY
Honorable Mention Bosch Rexroth Smart Function Kit for Pressing and Joining
Honorable Mention Portescap Ultra EC 22ECP35-2A
Honorable Mention Autotech Controls Programmable Smart Encoder
Gold Emerson Wireless Auto Recovery Module (ARM)
The judges commented: “Great product, which would really help in the setting up and diagnostics of pneumatic systems, without actually physically connecting up to the system. This makes maintenance easier and increases practicality.” Congratulations!
Silver Festo Pressure and vacuum generator PGVA
Gold Texas Instruments Industry’s first automotive GaN FET with integrated driver
The judges commented: “Impressive switching speeds to minimize EMI issues. Demonstrated device reliability. Potential low-cost, high-power power conversion compared to SiC.” Congratulations!
Silver STMicroelectronics ST60A2 — 60 GHz Contactless RF Transceiver
Bronze Power Integrations InnoSwitch4-CZ & ClampZero
Gold Protolabs Revamped Digital Quoting Platform
The judges commented: “Engineers have access to a 3D view of their CAD model that highlights any manufacturing issues that need to be adjusted.” Congratulations!
Gold Texas Instruments TMCS1100 and TMCS1101 Hall-effect current sensors
The judges commented: “This product exploits zero-drift technology to create devices with low drift and high accuracy over time and temperature. The 3-kVrms AC and DC isolation makes these devices appropriate for motor drivers, solar inverters, energy-storage equipment and power supplies.” Congratulations!
Silver (tie) Infineon Technologies AG XENSIV™ PAS CO2 Sensor
Silver (tie) Ashcroft Inc. Ashcroft® sealed E2X & E2F industrial pressure transducers
Honorable Mention Banner Engineering Q5X Jam Detection
Honorable Mention GMN Custom membrane switch panel for LogiLube’s SmartOil-M series
Honorable Mention Omron Electronic Components B5W-DB Diffuse Reflective Sensor
Gold Keysight Technologies N9042B UXA X-Series Signal Analyzer
The judges commented: “Instrumentation such as this signal analyzer are essential tools for designers working at these outer limits of RF, where measurements are extraordinarily difficult and smallest design subtleties will have major negative effect on circuit and system performance. Designers need confidence in their instrumentation and its capabilities.” Congratulations!
Silver ITECH Electronic Co., Ltd. IT7900 Regenerative Grid Simulator
Bronze Rohde & Schwarz R&S®SMM100A
Paul J. Heney, the VP, Editorial Director for Design World magazine, has a BS in Engineering Science & Mechanics and minors in Technical Communications and Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He has written about fluid power, aerospace, robotics, medical, green engineering, and general manufacturing topics for nearly 25 years. He has won numerous regional and national awards for his writing from the American Society of Business Publication Editors.
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