On 3D Printing » challenge

Running April 8 to May 23, 2013, the competition asks entrants to submit a design on i.Materialise and the winner will get a free 3D print of their design.

Here are more details about the i.Materialise 3D Printing Ceramics Challenge.

Spring is finally entering our doors and we are in desperate need for more colors in our lives! So we’re ready to launch our first ceramics challenge where you can choose between nine vibrant colors. Are you ready?

THE CHALLENGE
For this competition, your challenge is to use 3D printing to create a product in ceramics. We give you carte blanche, so you can design anything you want: from tiles to vases, from jewelry to kitchen ware.

Surprise us by your creativity!

PRIZES
On the 23th of May the jury will select 1 winning design. The winner will receive his or her 3D print.

WHO CAN ENTER
This challenge is open to all designers, professional and amateur, regardless of sex, age or nationality.

CHALLENGE PERIOD
Submissions will be accepted up to 23:59 May 23th Central European Time, 2013.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
There is no limit on the number of entries per contestant. To enter, you need to upload your design(s) here and provide a clear explanation (under ‘desciption’) in at least 50 words.

JURY
The i.materialise team will vote upon the entries.

MATERIAL & BOUNDING BOX
Participants need to upload their file here. You can find more information about the file formats in our FAQs under ‘website’. The material for this challenge is ceramics.

There are limits on the size of the design:

Bounding box ceramics: 15 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm

i.Materialise is also hosting an Accessories Challenge, looking for accessories that are inspired by birds.

MakerBot and GrabCAD Issue 3D Printing Challenge to Design Futuristic Travel

on3dprinting — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 00:21:37 +0000

MakerBot and GrabCAD challenge you to design a futuristic vehicle that would exist in the year 2040!

Create your own 2040 vehicle design. How might we travel in the future? Air, Surface, Water, Space. Explore designs that are optimized for 3D printing and can be assembled as beautiful display models.

In this design challenge with the GrabCAD community, they are asking about your vision for the future of transportation. How will we get around in the year 2040? Will it be by car, plane, boat, bike, or something new that is yet to be created? It is up to you to decide.

Make a 3D printable version of your idea of a futuristic vehicle to win your own MakerBot Replicator™ 2. The second place winner will win a MakerBot Original Replicator (SRP $1,999 USD) and third prize receives $250 USD along with some GrabCAD merchandise. The fourth place through sixth place winners also receive a hard to get GrabCAD shirt and coffee mug.

Models can come together via snap fit, bolts, screws, or glue. For more information on how to build for 3D printing, refer to MakerBot Support.

This is a great chance to add a concept vehicle to your portfolio. This Challenge started on December 10, 2012 and ends on January 11, 2013. Winners will be announced on February 11, 2013 at the latest. Submit your entry, now!

Improving Education: 3D Printing Lab Equipment to Help Poor Schools

on3dprinting — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:04:12 +0000

What can a school do when it does not have the budget to buy proper lab equipment for its students? The team at Tekla Labs believes they have a solution: 3D print your own.

Tekla Labs is an organization formed by students at University of California, Berkeley and has launched a PRINTmyLAB Design Challenge. They are looking for 3D printing blueprint submissions by April 30.

Some suggestions from the website:

1) DIY Alternative: A 3D printing blueprint for an item that can replace a commercial product or a specific component of a commercial product used in scientific laboratories or in scientific/engineering research. Especially helpful if this part tends to break or get lost.
2) Novel Gadget: A 3D printing blueprint for a novel item not commercially available that is of use in scientific laboratories or in scientific/engineering research. Invent! Imagine! Print!

Inspired by a visit to schools in South America that lacked funding and basic equipment for science experiments, the students launched this design challenge to improve education in poor schools.

Read more at Tekla Labs or in a feature by PC World.

Students image used under Creative Commons from lumierefl.