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, entrepreneurs, 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:

Design-ability

Design a new product or improve on an existing product to improve the quality of daily life by designing for a barrier free life.

The component/s must exploit the advantages of 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:

1. Medical – relating to the medical field, medical equipment, medical models, surgical guides, prosthetics, therapeutical devices as well as assistive devices
2. Transport – relating to the transport industry as a whole, including automotive and aerospace components such as structural, operational mechanisms, engine or propulsion enhancement or components (functional), cabin optimization, suspension or related components
3. Design – all designs within Industrial and Art as well as fashion components and functional designs
4. Engineering – General innovative components to improve existing products or complete novel life enhancement products (day to day components) as well as general engineering components such as machines, devices, DIY hardware, household items, functional designs, advanced architectural models or concepts
5. Hobby – components to improve hobbies, or optimised replacement components, relating to sports and general hobbies

Note: Entrants are limited to the printing volume of a UP Box 3D printer (200 x 200 x 200 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.

Prizes

Prizes to the value of R200 000 are up for grabs!

How to enter

1. Give your 3D model a title, description and choose a design category.
2. Upload a picture of your 3D model for the chosen category (Max 10 Mb).
3. Enter your details & submit before 15 October 2019.
4. Explain the function of your design in a supporting document - PDF format and include visuals and renderings.
5. 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, 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.

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