The 3D4D Challenge

There's a new 3D printing contest about to begin, but this one is a little different. The 3D4D Challenge is focused on charity. Organized by techfortrade and sponsored by 3D printer manufacturer MakerBot and 3D printing consultants Econolyst, the contest commences on May 1st. 

 

We can't say much more about the 3D4D Challenge at this time, simply because the rules will not be posted until May 1st. However, the site does say: 

 

Do you have a transformational idea that could leverage 3D printing technologies to deliver real social benefits in the developing world?

 

If you have an idea for an ingenious 3D printed water pump or other useful item for the third world, you may want to enter this challenge. What is the prize? Ominously, the site says: 

 

Better still, could your idea steal the $100,000 prize in our international challenge?

 

Via 3D4D Challenge (Hat tip to Simon)

3D Printed Clip Carries Cyclists Up a Mountain

Design firm Freedom of Creation supported the fight against cancer by helping a popular fundraising event in France on 3 June this year. FOC manufactured a special clip for riders in the annual Alpe d'HuZes. The Alpe d'HuZes is a gruelling cycling event in which participants ride not once, but six times up a mountain that is used for the Tour de France. 

 

FOC's clip features the Alpe d'Huzes logo, and will be in a new color each year. This encourages participants to return and collect a new clip as a remembrance of their odyssey up the mountain. 

 

The event was clearly a success, as almost 3300 riders and over 72,000 donors produced an record amount of more than € 10,000,000 for the cancer charity. The value of the clip? Priceless.  

 

Via FOC and Alpe d'Huzes (Hat tip to Brian)

Designing Interface Architecture

FABberz and the Live Architecture Network are collaborating on a new venture to bring design tools to students in Brazil. Their idea: produce collaborative designs with residents and students to improve housing conditions in the slums of Rio de Janeiro.

They'll be holding a series of workshops leading up to the 2016 Olympics, which are being held in Rio in that year. The first workshop will be held with local architects soon. Students will be introduced to "cutting edge parametric design tools", and their goal will be housing that is not only affordable, but also sustainable. Hopefully issues with housing, crime and drugs will be reduced.

The project needs funding, as all projects do. They've chosen to use Kickstarter as their fundraising platform. The project requires USD$7,000, but has only $1,000 as of this writing. Deadline: January 9, 2010. If you would like to support this worthy venture, please proceed directly to the link below!

And you thought there were few good spin-offs from the Olympics!

Via KickStarter