Silicon Valley meets Erfurt – One of the biggest technology prizes is awarded in Thuringia

The award is endowed with prizes worth a total of around €150,000. The main prize money of €35,000 is provided by the Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Science and Digital Society. 2022 projects from 27 countries and five continents were submitted. The 30-member jury, consisting of design & technology experts as well as science and politics, selected the finalists for the competition.

The focus is on the categories Mobility, MedTech, Design, Architecture, Material, FashionTech, Electronics, Digital as well as cross-disciplinary Sustainability. Previous finalists include the first 3D-printed steak from stem cells and coral elements printed from ceramics to save reefs.

This year, the spectrum ranges from 3D printed outdoor equipment to e-boats made from recycled material to large-scale house printing from clay. One of the highlights this year for the mobility of the future is a project for the realisation of the Hyperloop – a high-speed transport system under development in which capsules glide along air cushions in a largely airless tube at almost the speed of sound. The brakes for this system were developed using 3D printing technology and are one of the finalist projects of 3DPC2022.

The winners will be awarded at the Rapid.Tech 3D. Erfurt, with this conference and trade fair, is also a strategically important venue for the 3D Pioneers Challenge in its seventh year. The exhibition of the 3DPC finalists and the awards ceremony are regarded as an annual highlight of the scene, which also counts as a trend radar for industry & politics. The winners are also presented as part of a roadshow exhibition in the German Bundestag, among other places.

"Every year, the ideas and submissions become more creative and pioneering for the future. The spirit of Silicon Valley hovers over Thuringia for three days in May," says Christoph Völcker, initiator of the 3D Pioneers Challenge.

From 17 to 19 May 2022, Messe Erfurt is expecting the future makers of additive manufacturing directly on site for the 18th edition of the oldest German AM trade fair Rapid.Tech 3D. The ticket shop is already open.

Tickets for a one, two or three-day visit can be booked conveniently online.

Facts 3DPC 2022

Jury 3DPC 2022
Frank Beckmann_Fraunhofer IAPT
Prof. Christiane Beyer_OVGU University Magdeburg
Zoé Bezpalko_Autodesk Sustainability
Shajay Bhooshan_Zaha Hadid Architects
Mario Brandenburg_Member of Parliament
Stefanie Brickwede_DB, Mobility goes Additive
Alejandro Delgado_Hugo Boss
Lutz Dietzold_German Design Council
Diana Drewes_Haute Innovation
Carsten Feller_Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society TMWWDG
Pia Harlaß_DyeMansion
Arno Held_AMVentures
Dr. Karsten Heuser_Siemens Digital Industries
Thomas Hundt_Jangled Nerves
Gil Lavi_3D Alliances
Carina Lebsack_Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG
Marie-Lucie Linde_Sustainable Natives
Ross Lovegrove_Lovegrove Studio
Dr. Cora Lüders-Theuerkauf_Medical goes Additive e.V.
Prof. Shlomo Magdassi_Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Joris Peels_SmarTech Analysis, 3DPrint.com
Michael Petch_3D Printing Industry
Sonja Rasch_Materialise
Victoria San Fratello_Emerging Objects
Prof. Patrik Schumacher_Zaha Hadid Architects
Dr. Dirk Simon_FARSOON Europe
Matthew Spremulli_Autodesk Technology Centers
Joachim Stumpp_raumPROBE
Andreas Velten_IFA3D Medical Solutions
Christoph Völcker_Innovation Lab AM, Würth Elektronik

Partner 3DPC 2022
3D Alliances, 3Druck.com, 3D natives, 3DPrint.com, 3D Printing Industry, 3Yourmind, aed e.V., ALL3DP, AMVentures, Autodesk Technology Centers, avedition, DB Deutsche Bahn, Farsoon Europe, Formlabs, Fraunhofer IAPT, Haute Innovation, HUBS, Hugo Boss, Jangeld Nerves, MakerBot, Materialise, Medical goes Additive e.V., Messe Erfurt, Mobility goes Additive e.V., Modelltechnik, ndion_News on Design, nTopology, Rapid.Tech 3D, German Design Council, raumPROBE, Stratasys, Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs Science and Digital Society, Ultimaker, Verband 3DDruck e.V.,, Würth GmbH & Co. KG

About Rapid.Tech 3D
Rapid.Tech 3D, the pioneer and future hub for AM, will take place from 17 to 19 May 2022 at Messe Erfurt. For the 18th time the unique event offers the triad of trade congress, trade show and networking for the AM industry.

Rapid.Tech 3D is a creative meeting point for start-ups as well as for experts and industry giants in additive manufacturing. In addition to a high-class and highly user-oriented specialist congress, the trade fair offers more than just exhibitors, for example the 3D Printing Conference or the start-up and workshop area are suitable opportunities for networking and the presentation of ideas as part of Rapid.Tech 3D.

The last Rapid.Tech 3D in presence drew around 4,500 visitors from 27 countries as well as 180 exhibitors from twelve countries to Erfurt in 2019. The virtual Rapid.Tech 3D Congress 2021 was used by 1,050 participants from 14 countries to acquire knowledge, exchange information and initiate contacts.

About 3D Pioneers Challenge
The international design 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!

About 3DPC Platform
Over the years, the Challenge has become a platform with a worldwide network and is an interface for creative futuremakers, pioneers of advanced technologies and innovators from research and industry.

About "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.

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