DIYROCKETS and Sunglass.io have announced a partnership to launch the world’s first open source competition to create 3D printed rocket engines through collaborative design. 

The competition challenges makers, designers and space entrepreneurs to collaborate to create open source 3D printed rocket engine to serve the growing market for small payload delivery into low earth orbit.  The concept is for teams to work together to design and 3D model a working rocket engine in the software of their choice, using Sunglass.io as a collaboration tool to edit and update the 3D model.

The first prize is $5000 cold hard cash and a student prize of $2500 along with 3D printing courtesy of Shapeways.

Check out the full competition details for judging criteria and rules (no sending puppies into orbit or nuclear power unless you have the correct permits)

Heads up New Yorkers, you have 8 Days left to enter NYCEDC's Next Top Makers contest with your chance to win an amazing opportunity to take your ideas to market. 

February 13, 2013

We had over 70 entries to the 3D Print Contest for iPhone 5 Accessories with so many fantastic designs it was really hard for us to chose a winner among the high caliber of entries.  There was one design that really caught the eye of the Shapeways team. As soon as we pulled one out of the 3D Printer to test it out, everyone was in love...

The product page is great but we really had to share a video so that everyone could see how the design captured our hearts and won $500 worth of Shapeways 3D Printing for the designer.... 

We are really, really close to signing up our 200,000th Shapeways community member and we know that word of mouth/social networks are the way most people find out about Shapeways 3D Printing in the first place.

We would love for you to help us spread the word so we can connect with our 200,000th Shapeways community member and as an incentive, we will contact the 200,000th member, ask them how they found out about Shapeways, and if you recommended them we will share the 3D printed love right back to you by delivering some special 3D printing to your door.

So this weekend, spread the word far and wide, recommend a friend to Shapeways and we will share the love right back to you.

PS. if the 200,000th person randomly found us, we will contact the 200,001st etc. until we find a social sign up.

The iPhone 5 Design Contest is now over and we are 3D Printing some of our favorites right now (HINT: you may have seen them exposed in the feed) but Apple have just released the specs for the iPad Mini so it is time to start designing for the next range of Apple Fanboy Accessories.

You can download the specifications for the Wifi Version and Cellular Version from the apple site (yes, they are ever so slightly different but you may be able to make a design to fit both).

SO, what shall we do to get you all designing some cool new accessories for the iPad Mini?  

What applications do you see for this device that the iPad is too big for and the iPhone too small?

What is the point of differentiation that Apple is aiming for and can you amplify that difference with your design?

Tag Your designs with Apple, Fanboy and Ipad Mini so we can find your designs and we will find a way to reward your creativity.

Thanks to Core 77 for pointing the way to the specs. 

Launched by Mayor Bloomberg at the Shapeways Factory of the Future, Next Top Makers is New York City's is challenge makers, designers, and engineers to create product prototypes. 

New York's Next Top Makers is a challenge to prototype new designs that have commercial potential. The goal of the challenge is to support design-driven production, and promote a culture of innovation and commercialization within New York City's industrial business, design and engineering communities.

Starting in mid November, makers, designers, engineers and others will be invited to enter prototypes in the challenge. It is anticipated that New York's Next Top Makers will be open for submissions until mid February 2013.

Finalists will be selected by an expert judging panel, and will receive assistance on the path to commercialization during the studio phase. Assistance will include studio space from sponsor NYDesigns, business support, and mentorship from industry experts such as Adafruit Industries, Honeybee Robotics and Shapeways. It is anticipated that the studio phase will run from April to August. Judges will award an additional cash prize to the most promising winner following the studio phase.

Today is the last day to get your entries in to win $500 worth of 3D Printing from Shapeways.

We already have some AMAZING entries but if you get your entries in now you will have a chance to win too..