This year's 3D printing challenge set three records at once: In addition to a record number of spectators and the highest total value of prizes to date, more applications were received for the Challenge than ever before.
After the welcome address by HNU President Prof Dr Uta M. Feser, the finalists presented their 3D printing projects to the audience and the nine members of the jury.
Video message from Bavaria's Minister of State for Science and the Arts
Markus Blume said in his video message: “3D printing is high-tech in a small space. It revolutionises production methods and accelerates the path from idea to application. The 3D Printing Challenge is an additive challenge with an additive opportunity - and a competition in which the participants can practically print out their prize themselves. I wish the winner the success of turning their idea into reality. It is precisely this spirit and inventiveness that we need in Bavaria and especially at our Bavarian universities.”
High-calibre jury members and high-quality prizes
Fabian Frommer (Seifert Logistics, HNU alumnus), Jonas Wild (Siemens Mobility GmbH), Patrick Zacher (Volksbank Ulm-Biberach eG), Prof Dr Uta M. Feser (HNU) and Prof Dr Oliver Kunze (HNU). In addition to the 3D-printed lion trophies, the teams won non-cash and cash prizes, coaching sessions with experts from the 3D printing industry, VIP tickets for the Formnext 2025 trade fair and 3D printing reference books. The Digitalisation Centre Ulm | Alb-Donau | Biberach | Neu-Ulm and Daimler Truck AG | Daimler Buses GmbH offered pitch coaching for all finalists.
From the idea to the 3D-printed product
Philipp Enderle won first place with Pocketholds, 3D-printed climbing hold replicas. The concept: climbers can use an app to scan photos of climbing holds on the rock, which are converted into a mesh and can be printed out to form a hold. This enables them to recreate certain rock routes at home or in a climbing centre, save themselves the trip to distant climbing areas and also practice the routes out of season.
"I'm incredibly surprised that I won today! There were so many great and mature ideas, which is why I'm all the more pleased that I was able to convince the jury with my pitch," said Philipp Enderle.
Second place went to Emrah Elci and Kerstan Faul from RideGlow. Their 3D-printed components transmit the motorbike's indicator signals to the rider's clothing and also have integrated fall detection.
Third place went to Malte Zachow and Yannick Stolzenburg with their web-based software solution "Voxelware", which transfers the principle of print-on-demand to 3D printing in online retail.
The following teams also made it to the final and were delighted to receive non-cash prizes and the finalist trophy: TREEHOOK, an organisation system for outdoor activities such as camping or fishing, project "Verdelix", a plant helix tower for indoor farming, project "Skateboard MK4", project "Printogami - Inspired by Miura", a 3D-printed folding object based on the origami principle and project "3D printed Polypill", which makes it possible to take several medications in just one pill.
The prize sponsors were:
- 3D-Druck Akademie
- 3D Industrie GmbH
- Daimler Truck AG | Daimler Buses GmbH
- Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, Organiser of the Formnext trade fair
- HENSOLDT
- PROTOTEC
- Seifert Logistics Group
- Siemens Mobility GmbH
- Volksbank Ulm-Biberach eG
The 3D printing challenge consists of three rounds. In the first round, a panel of experts assessed all submissions. The submitters of the best ideas were then asked to develop a business plan. Based on this, the eight finalists (teams) were selected.
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