A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from September 24 to September 28.

In July we wrote about the 3D4D Challenge, a competition offering a $100K prize to the biggest transformational idea that could leverage 3D printing technologies to deliver real social benefits in the developing world.

Seven finalists have been chosen to go through to the Live Final on October 19th in London!

Boris Kogan, Israel/US 

 

Boris’s concept is based on the development of a small scale, easy-to-manufacture and assemble robotic greenhouse which will enable local communities to produce good food with ease, even in the most difficult environmental conditions.

Climate Connected Benefit Society, ColaLights - Edmund Bell-King and Cornell Jackson, UK

Ed and Cornell’s project involves the development of Solar lamps created from used plastic Coke bottles using 3D printed ‘bottle caps’ and attachments for the charger, battery and PCB components. These lights will replace expensive and dangerous kerosene ones to use in rural areas throughout India.

EN3D Project - JF Brandon, Canada 

JF has developed a simple, 3D printed solar tracker that is more efficient, cheaper and easier to manufacture than existing models, which will provide sustainable solar electricity to local communities.

Fripp Design and Research - Tom Fripp and Steve Roberts, UK

Tom and Steve are working on an idea to use 3D printing technology to enable the developing world to rapidly manufacture soft tissue prosthesis, at minimal expense.

Just 3D Printing - Suchismita, Jayant Pai and Sidhant Pai, India 

The Pai family’s project involves providing young entrepreneurs and students access to 3D printers using material recycled from disused plastic bottles, in order to encourage innovation.

Roy Ombatti - University of Nairobi,Kenya

Roy’s idea is based on the need to prevent the problem of foot infections caused by The Jigger Fly, something that is rife in parts of East Africa. Specially designed 3D printed shoes could be produced from recycled plastic to be worn by individuals suffering from foot deformities in order to prevent further deterioration.

Tinkher - Brandon Bowman, Matthew Rogge, Luke Iseman and Bethanu Weeks USA 

Tinkher is an amalgamation of two projects submitted to the final with very similar objectives. The project aims to develop an off-grid 3D printing system, which recycles plastic bags to produce tools for local farmers.

The international competition attracted a diverse range of entries from around the world – including entries from North and South America, Europe, Asia, and East and West Africa.

Each of the finalists will receive $1000 and access to expert mentors in order to develop their projects in the run up to the competition final, which will take place at this year’s 3D Print Show on Friday 19^th October 2012. Finalists will pre-record short video pitches which will be available to view at the show and online so that the general public can vote for their favourite entries. The contestants will then be invited to give live presentations of their projects to selected guests, after which the judging panel will choose a winner.

Visit the 3D4D Challenge to read more about this noble competition.

A roundup of the top news On 3D Printing brought you from July 9 to July 15.

Monday, July 9

• Shapeways Friday Finds: Anvil Cufflinks, Ceramic Ducks

Tuesday, July 10

• Designed to Win: 3D Printing Could Help Athletes Break World Records
• Moddler is Making the Market in High-End 3D Printing [Video]

Wednesday, July 11

• Enter the 3D4D Challenge to Win $100K and Change the World

Thursday, July 12

• 3D Printing Presents Long-Term Threat to Otherwise Healthy Toy Stocks

Friday, July 13

• 3D Printing Architecture From the Cloud with 3D Model-To-Print Service
• Bring Children’s Books Alive: 3D Printing The Very Hungry Caterpillar

3D printing is revolutionizing the way we create products, by enabling the factory to be within the community.

Do you have a transformational idea that could leverage 3D printing technologies to deliver real social benefits in the developing world? If so, submit your idea to the 3D for Development Challenge, or 3D4D Challenge. The final winner announcement will be made the 3D Print Show on October 19.

In the developing world, internet retailing is in its infancy. Could 3D printing fill the gap?

The Challenge aims to find transformational uses for additive technology that deliver real social benefit in the developing world.  We want to encourage collaboration between the ‘tech’ community and individuals and organisations trying to address major social challenges in the developing world.

The winning idea will be the one that stands out because:

• It clearly and measurably addresses a significant social need e,g, improving the incomes of some of the world’s poorest people or improving access to clean water or energy.
• It demonstrates real technical innovation.  In other words, it brings together leading edge thinking across mobile, web, manufacturing and solar technologies.
• It clearly demonstrates that there is a sustainable business model that underpins the idea; not simply a reliance on continual donor funding.

In order to enter the 3d4d Challenge, you must submit a concept statement outlining your idea. Your concept statement must cover the need to be addressed and the evidence that you have available to demonstrate the need exists. The application should also explain what makes the use of 3D printing technology innovative in the context of this need. Finally, the application should explain how the project could become sustainable and over what period of time.’

The closing date for applications is 31st July 2012.  We will let you know if you have been chosen as a finalist for the Challenge shortly after the entry deadline date.  If you do not hear from us within one month of that date, please assume that your entry has been unsuccessful.

Watch the video below for full details behind the challenge.

Developing world photo by PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE used under Creative Commons license.