ArburgWP
Combined “Womanpower” (right to left): Gabby Aitink-Kroes, winner of the 2014 career prize, panel of judges chairwoman Prof. Barbara Schwarze, prize-winner Dr Jelena Stojadinovic (Membrasenz) and finalists Agnes Bagsik (Arburg) and Dr Cynthia Morais Gomes (BIM).
Agnes Bagsik, a Team Manager at Arburg, reached the top three finalists at the Engineer Powerwoman competition.
Bagsik, who heads Arburg’s Freeformer Technology Development group, won through against a large number of contestants before being selected by the panel of judges as one of the three finalists.
The Engineer Powerwoman 2015 career prize, organised by Hannover Messe, is awarded every year to a woman who has made a mark or played a key role in innovation within a company through her dedication, ideas or work in the mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology sectors.
Bagsik is responsible for the technological development of the Freeformer, the new system for industrial additive manufacturing that celebrated its international debut at the K trade fair in 2013 and is currently being launched in various markets worldwide.
Arburg said Bagsik acts as a link between the areas of development and customer requirements, as well as handling cooperative partnerships with universities and colleges.
Managing Partner, Renate Keinath, who is responsible for Human Resources Management at Arburg, said: “This makes Agnes a strong role model for all women who are interested in a technical career with us and whom I would like to encourage to take the step into mechanical engineering.”
Bagsik’s job at Arburg is highly varied, with tasks including the adaptations of software and hardware to the various processes and applications.
Among other activities, she was involved in the development of a water-soluble supporting material and made a major contribution to ensuring the Freeformer is able to individualise high-volume parts in line with customer requirements.
Bagsik said: “To develop and further this brand new technology right from the start is a fantastic challenge and motivation for me.”
The €5,000 prize was eventually awarded to Dr Jelena Stojadinovic of Membrasenz, who triumphed in the final against Bagsik and Dr Cynthia Morais Gomes of BIM.