High-tech powerhouse Siemens has just announced the Siemens 3D Challenge, a contest to inspire sustainability-conscious technical creativity and innovation in 3D printing and design in Australia and New Zealand with the results aimed at benefiting the larger, global community. Tackling the contemporary challenges of climate change, shifting demographics, and increasing urbanization and seizing opportunities in the age of digital transformation is the overarching goal of Siemens, which welcomes fresh new ideas from the best and the brightest in additive manufacturing. 
Siemens, whose philosophy is to “act responsibly on behalf of future generations to achieve economic, social and environmental progress,” is specifically targeting 3D design and printing in its effort to address resource scarcity through customization. They acknowledge that the days of mass- or over-producing are definitely ending and, in their place is innovation and engineering technology that can, with tremendous precision, reduce waste and target specific needs from the individual to the global scale.
The competition, open to team or individual entrants is divided into four categories relevant to 3D design and printing:
- Sustainable Energy: Energy practices and processes that are conservation-minded, do not pollute, and make good economic sense.
- Future of Manufacturing: The design and production of products with adaptable methods, fewer resources, and higher standards.
- Intelligent Infrastructure: Creating building technologies, power distribution, grid security, and mobility solutions that are mindful of critical conditions such as resource scarcity and the need for alternative energy solutions.
- Digitalization: Merging the virtual and the physical worlds to address all aspects of humans’ daily lives.
Submissions to the competition will be judged based on three criteria: creativity, originality, and functionality. Designs that solve problems specific to the most pressing demands of the near future — environmental-consciousness, resource scarcity, sustainability, and accessibility– will be the ones most likely to engage and impress the panel of expert judges.
The panel of expert judges will award two prizes for the competition. In the “Winners” category: 3D Systems will print the names of the winning team and individual entries on SLS 3D production printers (valued at A$1,500). Additionally, the winning designs in individual and team categories will be displayed at the Siemens booth at the 2014 Convention. The overall winner across both categories — individuals and teams — wins a CubeX 3D printer (valued at A$3,700). All those who enter the competition will have the option of taking specific, free training sessions at the Conference and will be eligible for software from Siemens.
Submissions will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. (AIDT) on November 14, 2014. Designs will be judged by a panel of experts from Siemens, 3D Systems, and Engineers Australia. The winning design will be on display at the Siemens exhibition booth at the Engineers Australia Convention at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from November 24 to 28, 2014. The competition’s website includes an online entry form. If you do happen to enter this competition, feel free to post your designs in the Siemens Design Contest forum thread on 3DPB.com.
