First AM customization hackathon: #GoLiveOnMonday

As you might know already, paramate simplifies and automates the design
process for user-specific custom products – which is highly relevant in 3D printing applications. This design automation can be relevant for several industries: whether patient specific prosthetics, mechanically optimized industrial components, or personalized jewelry. trinckle developed applications for companies like Volkswagen, Deutsche Bahn, Ford, Schmalz or Protiq to accelarate their AM business.

But paramate is neither some kind of a magic trick nor a black box: it is a software platform any designer and developer can use to create automated design processes and innovative products. trinckle wanted to test how hard it is for external developers to apply their cloud software in a limited time period.

So trinckle sent out an open call for interested developer teams to join the very first mass customization hackathon! In other words: a challenge to use the software platform and create an amazing AM application in just 48 hours.

8 TEAMS, 30 PARTICIPANTS, 48 HOURS

8 teams and 30 highly motivated young developers from 7 nationalities were selected and invited to Berlin.

Combined in teams they brought a perfect experience mix: Computer aided design (CAD), Coding (script), Web design (java script) and Product design.

During the weekend there was a spirit and atmosphere that you have in mind when you imagine the perfect start-up story. You could see stand-up-meetings, pitch sessions, flipcharts and sketches, breakout sessions and – of course – a lot of Mate tea.

Most important result for trinckle: the teams dived into paramate right away and it did not take long to see the first results. The teams worked on various projects to turn ideas of customizable products into reality. The trinckle developer team who were available as support, were discussing at eye level with the participants to create the best solutions.

The big highlight of the weekend were the final project presentations. The organizers were thrilled to see the advanced applications that the young teams had achieved with paramate in just 48 hours. This was particularly true as they had taken their first look at the software system just one day before.

The jury selected their 3 favourite applications and the winning teams received a total prize money of 5000€. It was a tough choice for the jury but in the end three teams stood out. You could write separate articles about each project, but you will find a few words about the three winner projects below.

WINNER #1: “CUSTOMIZED CAMERA CAPS”

These guys want to develop a prosthesis for children. This alone is a cool project, of course. But not enough: They want to equip the prosthesis with superpowers – like a integrated ball-throwing mechanism. This way they hope to make it easier for the children to perceive the prosthesis as something positive. Additionally the size and color of the prosthesis can be configured.

Last but not least: This team focussed on cameras as well. They developed a camera handle that is not even and straight. This handle is adapted to the customers hand by specifying its length and its width. Optional mounting holes and patterns can be added to the handle.