The award for 2019 in the category for an outstanding project was presented for
DIFA jet weaving maching for the industrial production of distance fabrics with large and variable distances
to a team of VUTS Liberec led by Ing. Petr Karel, Ph.D.
A picture of the DIFA machine can be seen here
By presenting the award the EA CR appreciated the design and execution of the unique DIFA jet weaving machine for fully automated industrial production of special 3D fabrics called distance fabrics, i.e. fabrics with large and variable distances. The entire 3D structure of the distance fabric is created by the machine simultaneously in a discontinuous weaving process.
The new jet weaving machine with a pneumatic picking system contains modified standard operational blocks of a weaving machine necessary for the implementation of the weaving process and also absolutely new unique electronically controlled mechanisms of the creation of a distance fabric. The DIFA jet weaving mchine is controlled by a newly developed comprehensive electronic controlling system. The controlling system enables continuous monitoring of the weaving technology and operational diagnostics of the machine due to external communication by means of VNC Klient and Ethernet. The weaving machine fulfills the present requirements of Industry 4.0.
The DIFA machine enables automatic manufacture of distance fabrics from high-strength polyester fibres with distances of the basic fabrics ranging from 120 to 500 mm whilst maintaining structural properties and high quality of the fabrics. In addition with an option which permits continuous setting of the distance during the weaving process. This means that it is pssible not only to create parallel shapes with a constant distance but also shapes with a variable distance, e.g. in the form of wedges and arcs and their combinations – and all according to a model stored in the control system of the weaving machine.
The use of distance fabrics is expected also in the sphere of producers of manipulation and extrication equipment
Sponsors of the EA CR Award are
The Preciosa Foundation
And the journal MM Industrial Spectrum
Award for 2018
The award for 2018 in the category for an outstanding project was presented for
A bridge over the Chomutovka valley on road I/27 on the bypass of Velemyšleves
to a team of the Novák & Partner Co.Ltd.
led by Ass. Prof. Ing. Lukáš Vráblík, Ph.D.
By presenting the Award the EA CR appreciated the design and execution of the bridge structure which with its range, geometric parameters (length of spans, height of pillars)
and procedure of building of a unique bridge structure designed with application of several calculation models which made it possible to create a materially balanced
and slender structure which is an evidence of the high level of bridge engineering in the Czech Republic.
The structure of the bridge is fitted with permanent stable points, which during building made it possible to perform measurements and monitoring of the geometry
of the bridge serving for the calibration of models with respect to the real effects of the final shaping of concrete on the behaviour of the structure. It is also fitted with
tensiometers for long-time monitoring of the behaviour of the bridge structure during building and operation and allows calibration of contemporary mathematical
models of the rheological properties of concrete, long-time losses of prestressing and the long-time effect of concrete and prestressing reinforcement.
The long-time monitoring of the structure will thus be an essential contribution to the development of the theory and technology of building of bridges and also for
the future designs of bridge structures of this type.
Sponsors of the EA CR Award are
The Preciosa Foundation
and the journal MM Industrial Spectrum
Award for 2017
The award for 2017 in the category for an outstanding project was presented for
A small run-of-the-river hydroelectric power station with a siphon swirl turbine
to a team from the Power Engineering Institute
of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
Technical University, Brno
led by Prof. Ing. František Pochylý, CSc., FEng.
The siphon variant of a swirl turbine for the utilization of the energy of water flowing over weirs is based on the fact that the turbine has no guider. It comprises only an impeller, a shaft and a generator. The turbine is of the self-service type. The hydraulic section is designed to enable the machine at the moment of start to operate at a synchronous operating speed as a pump. This causes flooding of the siphon with water and the machine is automatically transferred into the generator, i.e. turbine rigime. The machine can be stopped very easily – again fully automatically by means of an air-inlet valve located at the highest point of the transfer elbow. Because the siphon arrangement does not require a turbine room, the building expenses are minimum. This concept can exploit the energy of water flowing over a weir with minimum financial investment. Owing to the operating conditions - hydraulic efficiency up to 86% and a greater through-flow - swirl turbines are fit for use on rivers already from a surface slope of 1 m.
The project of a small run-of-the-river hydraulic power station with a siphon-based swirl turbine was implemented in the Želina locality. This was the world premiere of the concept of a low-cost swirl turbine for run-of-the river hydroelectric power stations. The power station was put into operation on July 1, 2016.
Sponsors of the EACR Award are
the Preciosa Foundation and the journal MM Industrial Spectrum
The award for 2016 in the category for an outstanding project was presented for
A System of Road Traffic Constructions of the Prague City Ring Road in the Myslbekova St. – Pelc Tyrolka Section
to a team from METROSTAV, J.S.C.
led by
Ing. Miloslav Hadrava, FEng.
By presenting the award the EACR appreciated the realization of a system of road constructions – The Blanka Tunnel Complex – designed to releave a significant part of the capital from heavy traffic. The Blanka Tunnel Complex is an extensive technical and organizationally complicated structural system. It required cooperation of many teams from various investors and suppliers and teams of project engineers. The implementation was exceptionally complex also due to the fact that traffic restraints in Prague had to be minimized. The team from METROSTAV finished the the construction successfully. The advanced technologies used in the costruction took full account of the complex geological conditions. From a technical viewpoint the Blanka Tunnel Complex is by one generation ahead of tunnela previously built in Prague. The system of traffic constrol in the tunnel compex guarantees high safety and fluency of traffic and the ventilation system is expceptionally environmentally friendly. The project showed the ability of Czech project engineers and suppliers to build such a masterpiece which which was monitored with great interest even from abroad.
Sponsors of the EACR Award are
the Preciosa Foundation and the journal MM Industrial Spectrum
The award for 2015 in the category for an outstanding project was presented to a team led by Ing. Jiří Petrák,
Design of a new bridge over the river Vltava in Prague-Troja
By presenting the award the EACR appreciated the design of this significant and daring bridge construction which applied hitherto unused mutual bonding of structural elements comprising a steel arch and a prestressed bridge deck interconnected by means of a steel suspension network. The arrangement and profiling of the bridge with a 200,4 m span is unique on a global scale. The EACR Council also appreciated the fact that the product is an example of the combination of the correct static function and the significantly positive effect of the functional and external appearance.
Partner of the EACR Award for 2015 – Preciosa Foundation
Sponsors – Metrostav, J.S:C. ; MM Průmyslové spektrum
Award for 2014
The award for 2014 was presented in the category for an outstanfing project to a team of designers from VÚTS (Research Institute of Textile Machines) J.S.C. , Liberec, headed by Ing. Petr Jiráček, Ph.D.
Cam grinding machine BRV-300 CNC
By presenting this award the EACR appreciated the advanced concept of this machine tool which unites technological processes of precision milling, measurement and subsequent grinding and quenching of cams. A 3-axis control system was developed for this mechine. The exceptionality of the system of the cam grinding machine, the concept of which was developed at VÚTS is based on the fact that another way how to control the motion of production axes is to use two interconnected electronic cams. The system also processes the values of eccentricity of placing of the cam on the rotational axis C and transforms it into the coordinate system of the machine. The values of the output driving registers are generated in a PLC user defined function. The outline of the cam is measured without having to remove the cam from the machine and the measured values are used to correct production data generated by the user defined function. Precision milling and measurement of the shape without removing the machined part from the machine tool simplifies production and makes it possible to achieve higher accuracy of milling and hence reduction of the grinding allowance.
Partner of the EACR Award for 2014 – Preciosa Foundation
Sponsors – Metrostav,J.S:C. ; MM Průmyslové spektrum