The 3D Innovators Challenge

3D Innovators, an international design competition for additive manufacturing and advanced technologies, is the interface for all innovators who deal with new technologies and use 3D printing to promote their projects.

Unique in its structure, the 3D Innovators Challenge since 2015 has targeted designers from multiple disciplines who innovate with 3D printing and since significant trends. The award intended for professionals from all over the world who think outside the box and push the boundaries of possibilities!

3D Pioneers Challenge 2021 focused not only on the core area of ​​additive manufacturing but also on innovation in cutting-edge technology. In the sixth year of the innovation race, works from 32 countries and five continents were presented to a high-level international jury of 21 people. The group of participants consisted of pioneer professionals, young professionals, startups, and students.

Digital Awards Ceremony

Directly after the first daytime of the RapidTech.3D digital assembly, which took place on June 22 and 23, Stuttgart’s virtual 3DPC awards ceremony was broadcast live. The digital event also featured other highlights, awards, and jury awards.

In his opening speech, Patrick Schumacher (Director of Zaha Hadid Architects, London) tuned the pioneers of cutting-edge technology and highlighted the opportunities offered by exchanging new technologies across the 3DPC platform and its community. Minister Wolfgang Defense and Managing Director of Messe Erfurt GmbH Michael Keenest spoke to welcome the audience. In an interview with Simone Voelker (3DPC), Jennifer Arroyo (Topology, NY) talked about this year’s 3DPC & Friends ‘Special Feature’, which has given attendees access to new digital tools – taking skills to the next level! Immediately before the highly anticipated live announcement of the primary winner, Toronto-based Autodesk (CAN) received all three “Special Mention by Autodesk” winners.

Best Student – Design Winner: Self-Regulating Fire

3DPC 2021 winning design. Best Student: Self-Regulating Fire.

Self-regulating fire is a conceptual application for the secondary change of metal pressure in a self-regulating furnace. Here, the object of the fire is no longer rigid but changes.

With the help of a conduit sweep. It was discussed that stoves with a capacity of only 3 kWh suitable for most households so as not to waste too much energy. However, these “micro-ovens” are challenging to regulate, and improper operation often increases emissions. To handle the airflow from below. The 3D structure under the base plate expands and allows air to circulate according to the weight of the wood placed on it. The unique metal system, printed outside, develops as the temperature rises, showing the cooking process. It also increases the heating area of ​​the room. In addition, this structural change shuts off the air supply and prevents combustion too fast. Bimetals printed in 4D format can create such a formation.

Digital winner: the brush is a copy of the first tool of humanity

What if we reinvented the past instead of the future? Possibly older than humanity itself, the encounter was invented by grasping branches. Has it changed significantly? How is a toothbrush, hairbrush, or dish brush different from a handful of plastic twigs?

Philip took a single flexible material and locally altered its mechanical properties, creating complex natural and geometric structures. The result a multi-functional brush – made from a single material at the production stage. Which is only possible with 3D printing:

Coral lamellar structure and absorbent sponge structure combined into a cleaning head. The handle has an internal diamond structure for rigidity and a honeycomb surface on the hold. The water connection with sealing lips integrated with the upper groove of the pin. When connected to an IKEA mixer, the water evenly rinsed through the cleaning head.

Strength and material winner:

Protomycokion proves the potential of 3D printing with biomaterials in a “new manufacturing paradigm. Working with nature and biology, both as an inspiration and an accurate transformation engine. This bio-FDM process is 3D printing with living fungi that bind wood particles as they grow.