International competition for Additive Manufacturing processes and Advanced Technologies

3D Pioneers Challenge

The international competition for Additive Manufacturing processes and Advanced Technologies is the most prestigious award of its kind and is one of the most highly endowed worldwide. The annual announcement and presentation of the finalists is considered to be the innovation monitor of the industry. Unique in its structure, the competition has been addressing specialists who think outside the box since 2015 - pushing boundaries!

3DPC Platform

The Challenge has become a platform with a global network and is an interface for creative future-makers, pioneers of advanced technologies and innovators from research and industry.

Participants

The competition is open to students, start-ups and companies (Young Professionals and Professionals) working in design or technical fields, as well as the automotive, research and medical sectors.
We welcome submissions from previously published projects to brand new ideas.
The jury will also take into account whether each project was submitted by students, young professionals or professionals.

3DPC Trophy

Watch the movie of the 3DPC Trophy on our 3DPC YouTube Channel

In 2020 Ross Lovegrove (3DPC Jurymember) and Hyperganic (3DPC winner Digital 2019) designed together the trophy that will be handed from now on to the 3DPC first prize winners. The beautiful production was realised by the Materialse (3DPC partner).
The 3DPC Trophy was created within the network 3DPC & Friends

3DPC & Friends

Under the umbrella of 3DPC & Friends, 3DPC brings together the creative minds and high-tech pioneers of the 3DPC platform in an interdisciplinary way, resulting in new, groundbreaking projects in which everyone can contribute and live out their expertise - design rethought! The 3DPC shows today what tomorrow will bring - pushing boundaries.

3DPC & Friends 2022
A big thank you again to Ashish Mohite, Hyperion Robotics- former Finalist of the 3D Pioneers Challenge and janglednerves, partner of 3DPC, to design, develop and realise the 3D-printed (end-of-lifecycle) concrete design benches for the 3DPC2022 booth!

3DPC & Friends 2021-2024
nTopology and 3DPC
Since 2021 the 3DPC is cooperating with nTopology. The winner "3DPC 2020 Digital" supports this year's competition as part of the 3DPC & Friends network and give participants a free license for the nTop platform as well as training materials for the engineering software whilst the competition. Users will be able to see 3D printing to its fullest potential and gives everyone the opportunity to shape their ideas and concepts.
More information at the nTop 3DPC blog

3DPC & Friends 2021
Keynote at award ceremony by jury member Patrik Schumacher, Zaha Hadid

3DPC & Friends 2020
Talk by Ross Lovegrove and Lin Kayser about A paradigmshift in Design.
Here follow the Movie about "A paradigm Shift in Design" on our 3DPC YouTube Channel

Organizers

Messe Erfurt GmbH with Rapid.Tech 3D
In two decades, Rapid.Tech 3D has developed into a leading trade event for additive manufacturing (AM) in Central Europe. The pioneering event of the AM scene offers a coherent triad of congress program, exhibition events and networking opportunities. The centerpiece is the multifaceted technical congress, where international experts from industry and research present the latest developments and applications, particularly for the fields of medicine, mobility, aerospace, mechanical engineering and toolmaking, as well as chemistry and process engineering. In addition to established suppliers and users of industrial 3D printing technology and services, the accompanying trade exhibition will also feature start-ups and innovative research projects. From May 14 to 16, 2024, Rapid.Tech 3D will give additive technologies a stage for the 20th time.

d.sign21
The design and consultancy company with a wealth of experience in developing and organising design competitions. Its expertise in design, additive technologies and the global network supports the 3D Pioneers Challenge.

Patronage
The Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society takes over the patronage, supporting with the prize money of 35.000EUR .

Testimonials

Patrik Schumacher, Zaha Hadid Architects

The 3D Pioneers Challenge is a wonderful opportunity and invitation for young designers, architects and engineers to submit and have a platform where they can show and compete- where they can also gain recognition and resources to continue their research.
Thanks for letting me be part of it.

Ross Lovegrove

My appreciation of what you have established in supporting the positive emergence of additive technologies in the 21st Century!

Michael Kynast, Managing Director of Messe Erfurt GmbH

We are pleased to support 3D Pioneers Challenge with Rapid.Tech 3D. We are delighted that the Challenge has established itself so strongly in the additive manufacturing industry and gains reputation worldwide. We are already curious to see which interesting contributions will be submitted this year.

Simone and Christoph Völcker _ 3DPC initiators

It's fascinating how the 3DPC´s network is drawing circles already. Partners as well as the expert jury belong to the Who's Who of the industry and the attention rises: all eyes are now focused on this competition when it comes to Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Technologies. Every year we are motivated by the fact that the annual selection of the finalists presents as Innovation monitor the best concepts and ideas of the inspiring AM industry and also of the young university scene.