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SSAB Announces 2011 Swedish Steel Prize Finalists
10/12/2011 - Four finalists have been nominated for the Swedish Steel Prize, instituted by SSAB in 1999 for the best design in high-strength steel. The jury has selected innovations for agriculture and occupational safety, along with an arena construction project.
The winner of the Swedish Steel Prize, instituted by SSAB in 1999, will be announced on November 17 at Münchenbryggeriet in Stockholm. Four finalists have been nominated for the prize for the best design in high-strength steel. The jury has selected innovations for agriculture and occupational safety, along with an arena construction project.
The aim of the prize is to inspire, encourage, and disseminate knowledge about high-strength steel and the possibilities for developing lighter, safer, and more environmentally friendly products. A record number of applications from 20 countries were submitted this year.
Deere & Co. (USA) – Harvester by using Advanced High Strength Steel. Combined with skilled and innovative design, Deere has considerably improved the harvesting productivity and fulfilled new environmental requirements of its harvester for crop and grain. The harvester weight is reduced, the header width is increased, and the new draper is more flexible and follows uneven grounds, thus improving yield compared to conventional solutions.
HT Engineering Ltd (New Zealand) – Cab Protection on Excavator. Excavator operators must be protected from impact of the handled material, such as logs, boulders or heavy metal pieces. By innovative use of Advanced High Strength Steel, HT Engineering has improved impact strength and visibility in the new design of a protection grid for the operator’s cab. Both the weight and the risk of permanent grid deformation are significantly reduced. This was obtained by utilizing thinner sheet metal protection bars with adapted orientation.
Rotary-Ax (Brazil) – Knife for sugarcane harvester. Rotary-Ax has invented a novel cutting tool giving higher productivity in sugar cane harvesting. The idea of segmented blades, where the dull part can be broken off the remaining blade, is combined with the high wear resistance and strength of Advanced High Strength Steel. Blade handling is said to be easy and quick with this design. Furthermore, the re-growth of the sugar canes is improved since the knives are sharp and cut at an oblique angle.
Sweco Structure (Sweden) – Swedbank Arena. The light impression of the main framework is the hallmark of Swedbank Arena. This was made possible by fully taking advantage of the properties of Advanced High Strength Steel and a successful cooperation between the architect and structural designers at Sweco Structure. A thin lightweight roof design is required to give maximum day-light for such a large span, 162 m. The steel grades used, with yield strengths of 460, 690, and 900 MPa, are more advanced than ordinary steels in conventional building constructions.
The winner will receive a grant of SEK 100,000 and a statuette designed by artist Jörg Jeschke.
SSAB is a world-leading supplier of high-strength steels. The company offers products developed in close cooperation with its customers to create a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world. SSAB has employees in more than 45 countries and operates production facilities in Sweden and the U.S.
