Porsche wins SPE Hall-of-Fame award

[buster73]

Thought this might be interesting:

Landmark innovation wins SPE-Automotive Division’s Hall of Fame Award. BASF, Porsche recognized for developing first plastic air intake manifold

WYANDOTTE, Mich., November 17 2005 – BASF and Porsche received the Hall of Fame Award at the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)-Automotive Division’s 35th Annual Innovation Awards Program for developing the first plastic air intake manifold for automotive engines.

SPE-Automotive Division’s Hall of Fame Award honors an innovative application that stood the test of time by being in continuous production for more than 10 years. The first commercial use for the plastic air intake manifold BASF and Porsche developed was in six-cylinder engines for the 1972 model of the 911 Carrera. Since then, the majority of air intake manifolds are made from nylon, which has enabled this part to evolve into a multifunctional, integrated component.

Furthermore, this successful development has paved the way for additional, widespread commercial applications for plastics in other under-the-hood, interior and exterior automotive components previously made from metal. Plastics in general have contributed to producing automobiles that are durable, yet lighter in weight, more fuel efficient, quieter and less costly to produce.

The SPE-Automotive Division’s Annual Innovation Awards Program attracts more than 700 engineers, executives and media to recognize outstanding leadership and celebrate the most innovative designs of the automotive plastics industry. In addition to the Hall of Fame Award, the program recognizes the “Most Innovative Use of Plastics” for parts, systems or modules in the categories of Body Interior, Body Exterior, Chassis/Hardware, Process/Enabling Technologies, Materials, Performance/Customization (aftermarket) and Safety.

A Grand Award is then given to the nomination voted best overall. BASF won the SPE-Automotive Division’s Grand Award in 1994 for the Northstar air intake manifold application.

www.basf.com/usa.

[MichiganMat]

Where is azasndy, this is right around the street from him (and my ma's place too). Its probably the biggest news to hit Wyandotte in a generation. Break out the firetrucks, its time for a parade!