Creative and innovative 3D printing projects are sought that could potentially also lead to a start-up idea. With the Challenge, Neu-Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HNU), together with InnoSÜD, is actively promoting the transfer of knowledge, the promotion of future technology, the support of the start-up spirit in Germany, and the networking of business, science and society, which is also a goal of the InnoSÜD transfer network. Further information on participation can be found at: www.3d-druck-challenge.de. The final with award ceremony will take place on October 13, 2022.
The competition is aimed at 3D printing enthusiasts who can create a 3D-printed product on their own and also present a business plan showing how the product (or a corresponding service) can earn or save money. The Challenge is open to applicants of all ages, either as individual participants or in teams of up to three people; a degree or university qualification is not a prerequisite.
Prizes and sponsors of the German 3D Printing Challenge
Prize sponsors and jury members include the companies EOS, Honold Logistik, INTAMSYS, Mark3D, Max Hilscher GmbH, Volksbank Ulm-Biberach, AMPrO 3D, Filamentworld and Solidpro. They donate the following prizes: Cash vouchers, filament vouchers, build space vouchers (Druck Service), technical workshops with top-class experts from the 3D printing industry, and 3D-printed trophies for the top three places.
Special highlight: One of the winning teams will shoot a video with Youtuber and entrepreneur Andreas Weiß, which will be published on his channel AMPrO 3D: "I'm giving away my reach. I shoot a video with a winner chosen by viewers in the live stream and present their idea to my 60,000 subscribers," says Weiß.
Mathias Schöferle, Volksbank Ulm-Biberach, says: "As a regional cooperative bank, we see our role for SMEs as positioning ourselves as a strategic partner for our customers and entering into dialog with our customers today about the technologies of tomorrow. We are very happy to be available as a network partner for strategic and forward-looking decisions and, if necessary, provide financial support."
Robin Buck, Filamentworld, reports, "We have been involved with 3D printing for ten years. For us, the Challenge is very exciting to find out what is being done with the materials. We support the participants in a very grassroots way. I also find the Challenge very exciting from a personal point of view, as I am an alumni of HNU and our company location is Neu-Ulm."
David Schlawer, Mark3D, says, "We often work with tinkerers and developers. That is one reason why we are part of the 3D Printing Challenge: On the one hand, we want to promote ideas with our reach - on LinkedIn, our company has nearly 80,000 contacts - but we also support with cash prizes, know-how and knowledge."
Art objects and artificial pools: the winners of previous years are still active
In 2021, team "Pelvisio" made it to first place with a 3D-printed teaching model of a female pelvis. The three doctoral students Inga Beyers, Matthias Kiesel and Adam Kalisz developed the 26-part modular anatomical teaching model of a female pelvis for medical students. The team is currently continuing to work on its model, which will be used in a real teaching setting at the University of Würzburg. The team was able to gain its first customers as a result of the competition success. In the near future, the team plans to participate in two medical congresses, where the model will be promoted and presented to other potential customers.
The winning duo of 2020 - then still under the name BitArt - is now active as Haptic Bytes. At the time, Gerhard Habiger and Matthias Matousek presented their idea of an algorithm that transforms personal memories such as texts, photos or pieces of music into art objects from the 3D printer.
