Design

Protolabs 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards design challenge update

The 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards trophy design challenge is sponsored by Protolabs.

The design challenge is held to find a trophy to award the leaders of the 3D Printing Industry at our May 17th gala dinner. You can enter the design competition here.

To showcase the possibilities of additive manufacturing, we prepared a brief suggesting designs including a lattice structure, and internal channels optimized for SLA 3D printing.

With only two weeks left to go, we have prepared a showcase of those designs that we feel demonstrate a good understanding of the brief, and an exploration of the parameters offered by SLA.

Protolabs 3D Design Competition for the 3D Printing Industry 2018 trophy.
Protolabs 3D Design Competition for the 3D Printing Industry 2018 trophy.

3D printing vs. traditional manufacturing

A key theme of this year’s entries, following last year’s winning concept, is a fusion of production styles.

Designs that illustrate the evolving relationship between additive and traditional manufacturing demonstrate a flair for sculptural content, and a grounding in touchstones 3D printing aesthetics – for example lattices, low polys and even generative design.

Traditional and organic structures

Giorgio Garbujo (MyMiniFactory user @gioj94) has uploaded multiple entries for the trophy design competition, showing clear consideration for the limits of the brief.

Initial draft structure for Giorgio Garbujo's "Iceberg" trophy. Image via gioj94
Initial draft structure for Giorgio Garbujo’s “Iceberg” trophy. Image via gioj94

The so-title “Iceberg” trophy (see below), is the latest iteration of Garbujo’s idea. It combines defined block elements, with an organic and seemingly computer generated mesh.

The complexity and density these interlocking shapes contribute to the variety of features required by the design brief (to incorporate multiple features that are 0.15-0.20mm in size, preferably in the same orientation.)

The latest version of Giorgio Garbujo's 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018 design entry.
The latest version of Giorgio Garbujo’s 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018 design entry.

Looking for a lattice and internal features

Jonathan Ulbrich’s (@Matrixyz) entry depicts a cubed lattice structure concealing the letters X, Y, Z for each of a 3D printers’ axis.

Internal channels are incorporated into the central pillar of the trophy, which finishes in a heap of low-poly blocks, a nod to one of the Maker Community’s favourite design styles.

Jonathan Ulbrich’s "Boxy" design for the 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards. Image via Matrixyz
Jonathan Ulbrich’s “Boxy” design for the 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards. Image via Matrixyz

Classic remixes

Like Morgan Morey’s (@c4th) entry from last year, Younes Chahid (@Younes_Chahid) has opted for a remix of a Scan the World sculpture, taking Michelangelo’s David and stripping it back to organic shapes. Although the test print uses FFF, this gives us a great idea about how it will work in SLA.

Younes Chahid's Michelangelo remix for the #3DPIAwards. Image via Younes_Chahid
Younes Chahid’s Michelangelo remix for the #3DPIAwards. Image via Younes_Chahid

And David Kittle’s (@dkittl20) simple but effective trophy gives an edge aimed to communicate the prestige of the event.

David Kittle's 3DPIAward design for 2018. Image via dkittl20
David Kittle’s 3DPIAward design for 2018. Image via dkittl20

Enter now

Submissions for this year’s 3D Printing Industry Awards trophy design challenge can be made here using the crucial #3DPIAwards tag on Twitter and MyMiniFactory.

The competition closes midnight (GMT) on March 31st 2018.

In addition to having your design manufactured by Protolabs, first place will win a Wanhao Duplicator 9 3D printer. A second Wanhao Duplicator 9 will also be available as a prize for runner up, and entrants will receive an additional 10% discount for any Duplicator 9 3D printer purchased before the Awards ceremony on 17th May 2018.

Submit your own entry now.

Help adjudicate this year’s winner of the 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards here.

To stay up to date with 3D printing competitions and more industry-leading news, subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.

Looking for a new career move? Search and post on 3D printing jobs.

Featured image shows the latest version of Giorgio Garbujo’s 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018 design entry.