The exhibition and award ceremony of the eighth edition of the 3D Pioneers Challenge, the international competition for additive and future-oriented technologies, was a highlight of Rapid.Tech 3D in Erfurt. The exhibits had everything to offer from large-scale 3D printing of architectural elements to complete e-cars and art objects. Visitors could watch a robot arm print a dress or gaze in wonder at 3D-printed materials ranging from eggshells to oysters. They could get active themselves and take a closer look at printed electronics on the nanoscale under a microscope and thus experience first-hand what 3D printing makes possible.
The motto of this year’s Challenge is: RESILIENCE. NOW. Advanced technologies for a sustainable future.
What could be more in line with this call than the grand prize winner in “MedTech” “MATTISSE” from France? These fully absorbable 3D implants for natural, simple and risk-free breast reconstruction could positively change the lives of millions of women after a cancer diagnosis.
In total, cash and non-cash prizes worth over 185,000 euros were handed out. These included software licences from nTopology and 3YOURMIND, coaching for the “Best Start-Up” and 3D printers from Ultimaker, Asiga and Makerbot. Partner Autodesk presented three Special Mention awards. The prize money of 35,000 euros was provided by the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Science and Digital Society.
At the gala event of Rapid.Tech 3D on 10 May at the Zentralheize Erfurt, the prize winners were honoured in a festive setting by Economics Minister Wolfgang Tiefensee and Exhibition Director Michael Kynast: “Now in its eighth year, the 3D Pioneers Challenge has become an integral and impressive part of our Rapid.Tech 3D – and also a real enrichment. We are delighted to be able to show what forward-looking developments are possible as part of the finalists’ exhibition.”
Here you can find the press release with all information about the winners and the award ceremony.
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