Stratasys Launches 13th Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge, Powered by GrabCAD Platform

Back in 2014, the 3D printing titan Stratasys made the decision to acquire GrabCAD, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based file sharing service for CAD models. The platform was developed to allow designers and engineers to seamlessly connect with content, technology, and each another, enabling access to updated versions of each model from anywhere. With an international community of over one million members, Stratasys has utilized GrabCAD to launch a number of innovative design-based challenges, which have ranged from creating a rocket component to reinterpreting Leonardo da Vinci’s gear systems with 3D printing technology.

After releasing the beta version of their new GrabCAD Print App earlier this summer, Stratasys has continued to provide their 3D modeling community with design-savvy contests. This week, Stratasys has kicked off the 13th Annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge, which calls on student-level engineers, designers, artists, and others to leverage the power of 3D printing to create an original piece or recreate an existing work. The challenge, which will be fully supported on the GrabCAD platform, requires that all submitted designs are mechanically sound, realistic, and achievable.

One of the most popular recurring challenges in the 3D printing community, and one which saw some impressive winners in the 12th challenge announced in the spring, the criteria of the Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge will be based on mechanical design, design creativity, product usefulness, aesthetics, and an accompanying compelling description. Participating individuals or teams will be required to create their entries using CAD software, sign up for a GrabCAD Community account, and submit their STL files through the contest’s platform, along with a description about the value and benefit of the design.

The challenge will be broken down into three categories:

• Engineering: Secondary Education for middle and high school students
• Engineering: Post-Secondary for university and college students
• Art, Jewelry & Architecture for all grade levels.

First-place winners in each category will win $2,500 in scholarships, while the winning student’s instructors will receive a demo 3D printer in their classroom for a limited time. Those who place second will receive $1,000 in scholarships, while the top 10 entries in each category earn a $50 Stratasys apparel item, as well as a 3D printed model of their design.

In addition, for the second consecutive year, the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC) is offering a $1,000 scholarship for the winning entry in the Post-Secondary Engineering category for an NCATC member school. NCATC is a network of higher education resources promoting use of technology applications to enhance economic and workforce development programs and services. The contest itself, which has gone on for a 13-year period now, has led to more than $140,000 in scholarships since its inception.

The submission deadline for this year’s Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge is March 9, 2017, so get your design on and become a part of the world’s largest 3D CAD community. Discuss further over in the Stratasys Kicks Off 3D Printing Contest forum at 3DPB.com.