
Ultimaker
CAD users have been invited to take part in the Ultimaker 3D Printer Toy Design Challenge.
The Ultimaker is one of the best-known and best-selling desktop 3D printers on the market and is geared towards the maker market. The company wants bright sparks with a passion of 3D printing to have a bit of fun and create their own toy design.
"Basically, toy around with your thoughts, put them into CAD form, and then submit," Ultimaker states.
There are prizes to be won. The top entry will scoop their very own Ultimaker and a supply of free PLA so they can continue creating and turning those great ideas into physical things.
One winner and six runners-up will be selected by a panel of expert judges, including TCT Magazine's very own James Woodcock.
So what are the rules? Ultimaker specifies that all the model parts should be scaled to or cut into sections of no greater than 21 x 21 x 21 cm, while submissions must be in STEP or IGES format - other formats will not be accepted.
The assembly of the design can utilise snap fit mechanisms, bolts, screws or glue and entrants can see the Ultimaker website for more information on these requirements.
Ultimately, the model has to be 3D printable and entries will be judged based on creativity, feasibility in 3D printing on the Ultimaker and "overall coolness".
The Ultimaker 3D Printer Toy Design Challenge is open to everybody except employees of GrabCAD and Ultimaker. Team entries are welcome and if a team is the overall winner then the prize will be transferred to the team leader who will be responsible for sharing it among their team. Multiple entries are also welcome.
To find out more about the rules and restrictions, and prize breakdown, prospective entrants can click here.
The challenge kicked off today and will end on June 5th 2013 at 23:59 UTC. Winners will be announced on July 5th at the very latest.