3D Pioneers Challenge 2022

When designing Waldwiesel, the innovators at Urwahn Engineering pushed metal 3D printing to the limits of feasibility in order to create a balance between form, function and lightweight construction. Additive manufacturing made it possible to develop an extraordinary frame design made of steel. The special rear structure suspends the rear wheel elastically and creates a new kind of driving comfort; bumps will be compensated. Accompanied by the targeted optimization of the 3D printed components, the system weight could also be drastically reduced. If you follow the elegant profiles in detail, you can also discover numerous technical integrations, such as a GPS tracker, LED light units and a powerful electric drive. In 2021 Urwahn Engineering was one of the winners of the 3D Pioneers Challenge with its Waldwiesel.

Focus of the 3D Pioneers Challenge 2022 – Disruption and Sustainability

Next year, the organizers of the challenge will again be looking for extraordinary developments using additive production methods. The platform for additive manufacturing and advanced technologies invites innovators to take part in the international competition for the seventh time next year! The call is open to innovative companies, students and start-ups who are brave enough to pave the path for technology transfer that will enable sustainable production in the future. The largest international design award of its kind will be announced at Rapid.Tech 3D (Messe Erfurt, 17–19 May 2022).

Additive manufacturing has more than achieved a “proof of concept” status throughout the last decade. Disruptive technologies offer a whole range of functional, project-specific one-offs and have been tested in numerous verticals. The established industry faces rising challenges of their future-proof and social impact and the need of responsible manufacturing. Not least the Green Deal is pushing to respond to the inevitable development towards sustainability.

Advanced Technologies such as 3D printing can enable solutions to this challenge – when implementing them strategically into established processes. The concept of sustainability has multilayered implications – ranging from the economic to ecologic. But, underpinning all of these layers is that sustainability needs to appeal-to, and be driven by a responsible human mindset.

The 3D Pioneers Challenge addresses pioneers brave enough to pave the path for technology-transfer that will enable sustainable production in the future. This technology-transfer is unlocked as a spectrum ranging from those who take wise-incremental steps in established industry, to those who are inventing brand new concepts in the entrepreneurial start-ups and academic sectors.

The award is announced in various disciplines such as Design, Digital, Architecture, FashionTech, Materials, MedTech, Mobility, Electronics, Machinery and Sustainability. Interested parties are invited to use the 3DPC platform until March 14, 2022: Present. Meet. Converge – to create a better, more responsible future together.

The prize money of € 35,000 is kindly supported by the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society. The 3D Pioneers Challenge is one of the world’s most highly endowed design competitions for innovation in Additive Manufacturing processes.

The 3DPC brings together the disruptive and established industry as well as the focus on sustainability in the jury board. The 30 specialists contribute their expertise in the respective disciplines and stand for the quality of the award. In addition to Victoria San Fratello from Emerging Objects (USA), the designer Ross Lovegrove (UK), the architect Patrik Schumacher CEO of Zaha Hadid Architects from London and Mario Brandenburg, spokesman for research, technology and innovation of the Free Democrats in the German Bundestag, Diana Drewes from Haute Innovation Berlin is part of the jury again and brings her extensive expertise from numerous sustainability projects to the evaluation process.

The submission deadline is March 14, 2022. Participation is free of charge for “students”, “young professionals and start-ups” and exhibitors at Rapid.Tech 3D. All information for submitters, the tender documents as well as the online application and registration are available at:

www.3dpc.io