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Design a 3D printed clock or arm and you could win R5 000

3D print product designers and makers, listen up. The Rapid Product Development Association of South Africa (RAPDASA) has just opened up entries for a 3D design competition this November.

The competition seeks to promote the local 3D print industry and find RAPDASA’s newest recruit.

There are two entry categories.

3d printed clock

You can design any kind of functioning wall or table-mounted clock at a printing volume of either  330 x 330 x 50 mm³ or 200 x 150 x 100 mm³. It can either be a finished piece, or pieces of a design that can be assembled.

Each entry will be evaluated according to the practicality of the design, aesthetics and originality and if the components of the design fit into the allowed build volume.

3d printed arm

The Department of Occupational Health at Universitas Hospital in Bloemfontein is looking for an arm design that will help patients suffering from weak muscle strength, some as a result of disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, which lead to patients not being able to lift their arms.

“Commercially available devices to assist these patients are expensive resulting in many of them having to rely on caretakers to perform these basic tasks. The aim of this category is to develop an inexpensive device that can be produced through AM [3D printing] with which more of these unfortunate patients will be able to help themselves,” the competition description reads.

The arm should have a build volume of 600 x 120 x 100 mm³ and be designed in such a way that it allows an adult to their right arm above their head while seated on the wooden chair below.

chair1

The arm should have a rotating shoulder and rotating elbow and both the arm and lower arm should be moveable. The arm should also be user-friendly for patients with different muscle strengths.

David Mauchline is on hand to provide advice on this project, you can email him on damauchline@yahoo.com. For any questions, on the limitations on movement of these patients you can email occupational therapist Vidette Rossouw at vidrossouw@gmail.com.

Entries will be evaluated according to aesthetics and originality, durability, effectiveness, production cost.

Judges in the clock category will comprise industrial and graphic designers, while those in the arm category will be made up of  occupational therapists and 3D print specialists.

Entries can be designed in any CAD software as long as STEP files are submitted to the competition.

The two best entries in each category will be printed on an EOS P395 laser sintering machine in PA 2200 nylon polyamide at the Vaal University of Technology and will showcase their projects at the RAPDASA 2015 conference in Pretoria from November 4th to 6th. All travelling, food and accommodation costs will be covered by RAPDASA.

The winner in each category will receive R5 000 cash, runners-up will receive R3 000 each and the best overall design will also get a UP! Plus 3D printing machine.

Entries close on August 31st and must be submitted on the RAPDASA website.

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