YouMagine has started a 3D printing contest that distinguishes itself quite a bit from others that we have seen. Contestents are challenged to come up with an idea for a new 3D printing technology.
December 29, 2014: Among those who send in their ideas in writing, one creative winner with the best idea that also seems achiveable will be picked and get an Ultimaker Original kit. You don’t have to necessarily develop a fundamentally new method but you can also come up with an improved or modified process of an existing one. The winner will not only receive the 3D printer kit to implement the technology but will also share the idea with the world via YouMagine.
The “Develop a New 3D Printing Technology Challenge” runs until February 1st, 2015. Detailed rules can be found here. YouMagine also encourages groups, classes and organisations to participate in the contest.
February 19, 2015: Update – Ultimaker announces two creative winners
Following “long deliberation and discussion” Ultimaker has finally decided on two winners of their 3D Printing Technology Challenge.
The first one is Laird Popkin, who wants to speed up 3D printing by creating a dual nozzle 3D printer and called his technology “High Speed Large Format 3D Printing with Detail Finish”. The idea is to create an extruder with two nozzles, one very small to print details in fine resolution with a layer hight between 0.1 and 0.2 mm and a larger one to deposit layers with a hight between 0.5 and 1 mm for infills. He also intends to make modifications to the open source slicer software and other configurations to optimise print speed for his method.
The second winner is Aidan, who explains his Silicone 3D Printing Process in the following video. The idea is to use two components, one being evenly spread out in a thin layer on the build plate while the other one is extruded into it. The area where the two materials meet then cures, while the material around it acts as support, similar to SLS technology. In addition to silicone, Aidan’s 3D printing technology could be used for many other two-component materials.
Both winners receive an Ultimater Original and will have to try to implement their ideas until the beginning of June.
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