DMC Submission Requirements and Judging Criteria Submit Your DMC Project View Past Winners

Deadline: February 3, 2025 (11:59 PM EST) 

Evaluation Period: February 4 through February 16, 2025
Winners Notified: Week of February 17, 2025

Problem Statement/Mission

Welcome to the 2025 installment of the sustainability series inspiring the next generation of engineers to take on and tackle tough issues! This year’s Digital Manufacturing Challenge emphasizes environmental sustainability, one of the three pillars of sustainability, alongside social and economic sustainability.

Environmental sustainability focuses on responsible interaction with the environment to ensure the long-term viability of natural resources and environmental quality.

Our world is a complex and interconnected system. Innovative design and manufacturing solutions can address many aspects of environmental sustainability. Such solutions have the potential to impact not just local communities but the entire globe. From resource conservation to climate change response, everyone is part of this interconnected web.

We anticipate that participating students will stir everyone with excitement for the possibilities!

Some examples offered below hint at solutions that deploy additive manufacturing in conjunction with conventional manufacturing:

• Availability and sustained access to water and water sanitation
• Resilient infrastructure
• Innovations in building structures.
• Capable to sustain and adapt to environmental conditions with minimal damage.
• Capable of creating a micro-climate (lower temperature, tunneling wind for ventilation).
• Minimize footprint.
• Access to energy
• Access to affordable, sustainable, renewable energy for all.
• Innovative energy recovery systems.
• Sustainable farming practices
• Promote sustainable agriculture through water recovery and filtration systems.
• Increased crop yields (vertical gardens).
• Use of material systems from agricultural waste in the manufacturing value chain.
• Smart energy storage (heat, wind, etc.) or water storage and dispensing.
• Responsible consumption and production
• Address repair and recyclability through smart design practices.
• Quantify and deploy alternate manufacturing practices to reduce environmental footprint.
• Quantify and deploy alternate products that reduce environmental footprint throughout the product's lifecycle.
• Smart engines
• Lightweighting
• Climate action
• Reduction in air pollution.
• Reduction in water pollution and water recovery.
• Conserve and sustain oceans and marine habitats.
• Protect terrestrial ecosystems.
• Manage deforestation.
• Halt land degradation and biodiversity loss.

Constraints

• Apply only existing additive or conventional technologies – not those yet to be developed.
• Backfill conventional with additive components only if necessary, appropriate, and possible.
• In response to this challenge, you may address individual parts or the entire system.
• Consider legal frameworks. Avoid liability/warranty issues but consider the merits and impact of private property rights under extreme circumstances.

Deliverable

Complete and competitive submissions are expected in the form of a case study. After completing the challenge with the advice and guidance of our judges, contestants may wish to consider preparing a funding proposal or a journal paper.

How to Enter

Steps to Submit Digital Manufacturing Challenge Project

1. Click on “DMC Submission Requirements and Judging Criteria” and then on “Submit Your DMC Project.”
2. Add a team leader, team members, and an academic advisor. Include each person’s first and last name, email address, and educational institution.
3. All project files should be included in a zip folder or equivalent to be uploaded onto the platform. Files should include:
• The template for formatting the submission is to be added soon!
• STL files of your design.
• Title of your entry on every file.
• A document according to the “Submission and Judging Criteria” page.
• Your name(s), contact information, and résumé(s) for circulation among potential employers.
• Teams have the option to include a video supporting their project. It is not required but highly encouraged. Please add the link to your video. YouTube or another file-sharing platform is acceptable.

What's in it for you?

• Complimentary conference pass to RAPID + TCT.
• The winning team will receive a $1000 prize, and the runner-up will receive a $500 prize.
• A certificate of achievement.
• A recognition letter will be sent to the winner, and a copy will be sent to the advisor/educator.
• Complimentary certification to take AM examination - Value $75.
• Winners and runners-up receive a one-year all-access license to Tooling U-SME online classes.

Questions About the Digital Manufacturing Challenge?