Additive Manufacturing Design Contest for Young Engineers 2021 - Apply now!

During the annual conference Meeting Materials, organized by M2i, the Grade2XL project will organize an open Additive Manufacturing Design Contest for young engineers as part of the Grade2XL project.

THE CHALLENGE   Grade2XL challenges all young engineers and researchers to design a novel product, to be printed with wire arc additive manufacturing. This year both teams (max. 5 persons) and individuals are invited to join! You have until 19 November 2021 to submit your design together with the application form found below.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

• Are you enrolled in a Bachelor, Master or PhD degree program at a European university? Or are you a young professional who is still under the age of 35 years on 14 December 2021?

• Do you have an idea for a 3D printed component that can be made with the wire arc additive manufacturing technology?

• Are you passionate about technology and want to see your ideas take shape?

GRADE2XL

The Design Contest is part of the Horizon 2020 project Grade2XL. This project will demonstrate the potential of multi-material wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) for large structures. Grade2XL will deliver multi-material products of superior quality and performance, cut lead times by up to 96% and enable massive savings for the maritime, energy and industrial machinery sectors. The Grade2XL consortium is led by M2i and gathers 21 partners from eight European countries, top innovators in the field of wire arc additive manufacturing.

CRITERIA

The following criteria will shape the selection process:

1. Novelty: new geometry, impossible to manufacture with conventional processes;

2. Functionally graded: showing added value of multi-material composition, i.e. different properties at different locations;

3. Purpose: the design should be intended for a real engineering application.

SCORING CRITERIA

There is a maximum score of 10 points:

1. Novelty: The extent to which the proposed design is a new geometry impossible to manufacture with conventional processes. Score 0-3

2. Functionally graded: The extent to which the proposed gains (material or financial savings) when a multi-material approach is used, i.e. different properties at different locations. Score 0-3

3. Purpose: The extent to which the design is suitable for an existing engineering application. Score 0-3

4. Bonus point: Potential to impact the industry i.e. transferability of the approach towards other applications and sectors. Score 1

JURY

The Jury consist of five experts working in the field of WAAM, in academic and industrial organisations which are at the forefront of WAAM.

THE PRIZE

One winner/winning team will have their part manufactured at RAMLAB in Rotterdam. If the designed part is heavier than 20 kg, a representative component of up to 20 kg will be printed. The winner/winning team will be selected via a blind procedure.

DEADLINE

The submission deadline is 19 November 2021. The winner will be announced during the M2i "Meeting Materials" Conference on 14 December 2021.

APPLICATION

Make sure you download one of the application forms on the Grade2XL website available here. In the form you will find all information necessary for submitting your design.