Competition Sponsors

Vote for your favourite entries below (one vote per entry). All entries will be judged according to the criteria on the information page, but the popular vote can influence the final decision.

Well done to the Top 5 winners who will receive their prizes at this years RAPDASA Conference. They are, in no particular order:

Ashley Dillon Toth
Jacobus Prinsloo
Mark Fruhafu
Maurice Conradie
Tjaart Labuscagne

No photo has been submitted for the contest. Be the first!

Competition Information

The 3D Print Design Competition is a national competition that forms part of the annual Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) conference. The competition is aimed at encouraging designers, engineers & artists to use the latest technology, to promote awareness of Additive Manufacturing (AM) and attempts to gauge the country's capability to design and engineer for AM.

The challenge of this year's 3D Print Design Competition is to design a gadget, product, or art piece that is best produced using 3D printing.

There are 5 categories to choose from, with a 3D printer to be won in each of the categories. Participants can enter as many times as they wish, in as many categories as they want but may not enter the same design in multiple categories. The 5 categories are:

Household
Engineering
Industrial Design & Art
Toys
Education

Prizes

First Prize: 1x UP Box+ from 3D Printing Systems valued at R39,000

Second Prize: 1x UP Plus 2 from 3D Printing Systems valued at R17,000

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Prizes: 1x UP Mini 2 each from 3D Printing Systems valued at R11,000

How to enter

Give your 3D model a title, description and choose a design category.
Upload a picture of your 3D model for the chosen category (Max 10 Mb).
Enter your details & submit before 15 October 2018.
Explain the function of your design in a supporting document - PDF format and include visuals.
Email your model (.stp OR .stl) and supporting document to competition@rapdasa.org in a zipped file.

Judging Criteria

All entries will be judged according to a score card MATRIX and points will be awarded against each of the following criteria:

Novelty
Inventiveness
Functionality
Cost effectiveness
Aesthetic appeal
Engineering principles
Perceived value
3D printing knowledge
Target market
Creativity
Environmental impact
Freedom of expression
Geometry quality (3D printability)

In the case of a draw, points will be allocated to the quality of the presentation and supportive documentation.

General Considerations

When designing your gadget, it is important to take into account the materials that will be used to print it, as well as the limitations of the printer itself. Factors such as structural integrity and durability affect how well a design is able to function, while efficient use of material must be considered to reduce costs and avoid over-designed products.

Entrants are limited to the printing volume of a UP Mini 3D printer (120 x 120 x 120 mm) for their designs. All components of the design must fit within the allowed volume. Designs may incorporate multiple components. It can also be made up of components that can be assembled afterwards. Components will be printed in ABS or PLA plastic, using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) technology.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY, Click here for the T's & C's.