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The MakerBot Robot Challenge

MakerBot Industries needs a 3D printable cute robot mascot for their company.

The concept of the robot is wide open so feel free to enter creatures of all shapes and styles. Inspired by the lunchbox on wheels that rolled around on the Death Star in Star wars? Great! You're a fan of humanoid robots like the B9 from Lost in Space? Super! All shapes of robots' designs are expected to participate. The winning entry will become the lead MakerBot Robot Mascot. It is very likely that most, if not all entries will be filmed for MakerBot videos. You may submit as many robots as you like.

The inspiration for this challenge is Tony Buser's "BOB" robot. We saw this and all we could think of was "MORE!", especially considering the popularity of robot models in the Library. Bob is built from a toolset of robot parts that include joints for arms and ears. This toolset gives you a nice set of components that you can use to make your robot design have pose-able parts. The toolset also includes the MakerBot M logo design to make it easy to badge the robot with it. Using the toolset is not required, but we wanted to make the functioning side as easy as possible for people to express their robo-creativity, so some of the components are offered up front for optional use in this challenge.

Inspiration: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11190

Requirements

  • Overhangs must be less than 45 degrees

  • Robot must be composed of parts that are each smaller than 100x100x120mm

  • Different parts can be made in white, yellow, orange, red, UV reactive red, UV reactive nuclear green, camping green, blue, black, and glow in the dark

  • Robot must be proudly displaying the MakerBot M logo on it. You're invited to use the file included in the robot toolset: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:11189

  • Please upload both STL and the original format files

  • You can enter this challenge by uploading your design to GrabCAD and you are encouraged to also upload it to Thingiverse.com

  • By submitting for this challenge, you give MakerBot Industries license to use your designs in any way

Rules

  • The best robot will win Makerbot Industries Thing-O-Matic 3D Printing Kit

  • The winning design will be chosen based on the requirements on the left

  • This competition is open to everyone

  • You can participate with as many models as you like

  • Only models uploaded to the GrabCAD library will qualify for the competition

  • Upload your model via this page or make sure it is tagged with “makerbot” when uploading to index your model for the search

  • You can upload a private model, but you need to share access to indrek@grabcad.com

  • Privately uploaded models will be made public after the deadline

  • Each robot design will be judged by creativity, character and 3D printability

  • Competition starts on September 8th, 2011

  • Competition ends on September 28th, 2011

Prizes

Winning design

MakerBot Industries Thing-O-Matic 3D Printing Kit

Top 10 Designs

The finalists will have their robots 3D printed on a MakerBot at MakerBot HQ and sent to them

About the jury?

The winner will be selected by a joint jury of MakerBot Industries and GrabCAD and announced on the GrabCAD blog

About MakerBot Industries

MakerBot Industries brings the future to your desktop. MakerBot's Cupcake CNC—the most affordable 3D printer in the world. It’s your own little factory, and it can print almost anything you can imagine.

MakerBot Industries was recently named as one of the top 20 startups in NYC, and has been featured in Wired, Make: Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, IEEE Spectrum, CNN, Financial Times, NPR, the Economist and others.

38 comments

  • Joe Birner

    Joe Birner over 12 years ago

    can you calrify "Overhangs must be less than 45 degrees"

    Joe Birner has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 40 comments.
  • Pranav Panchal

    Pranav Panchal over 12 years ago

    I'm having the same doubt as Joe............

    Pranav Panchal has uploaded 67 CAD models & has left 479 comments.
  • Doug Davey

    Doug Davey over 12 years ago

    Yes to Joe ?. ……. And ..... no surprise I AM IN

    Doug Davey has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 354 comments.
  • Kir Ari

    Kir Ari over 12 years ago

    According to my experience of 3d printing, I think it is basically the negative angle between vertical axis and model surface ('negative' means it outbonds the the model, like angled seiling), if you have this more than 45 then material will simply fall down on the table and will not attach to the model.

    Kir Ari has uploaded 30 CAD models & has left 261 comments.
  • brepettis

    brepettis over 12 years ago

    Overhangs - If you want to design an overhang, you can get away with making gentle slopes. For example a wine glass will actually print out on a MakerBot. The slope of the overhang should be about 45 degrees. Bre

    brepettis has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Kir Ari

    Kir Ari over 12 years ago

    Ok, guys, is it only myself having a problem of downloading this robo-toolkit. there are only stl and this strange SCAD files. Any ideas of how to convert it in any normal solid? Or at least some 2D drawings (dwg?) which we could load into?

    Kir Ari has uploaded 30 CAD models & has left 261 comments.
  • Danny Tasmakis

    Danny Tasmakis over 12 years ago

    This sounds pretty cool
    Do we hollow/shell out our models before stl export ?

    Danny Tasmakis has uploaded 55 CAD models & has left 654 comments.
  • Kir Ari

    Kir Ari over 12 years ago

    @Danny, I do not think this is the case in this one, you will have overhangs (from the inside) if you hollow it. And this plastic is not the strongest matter :)

    Kir Ari has uploaded 30 CAD models & has left 261 comments.
  • Joseph Larson

    Joseph Larson over 12 years ago

    Wow... really? I mean you think Makerbot needs more robots? You've got 3 examples there, there are numerous examples on thingiverse... they just made those little trophies. I'm having trouble figuring out what i could do to compete.

    But for a free Thingomatic I'm sure as heck gonna try.

    Joseph Larson has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Cemal Uslu

    Cemal Uslu over 12 years ago

    I can't use these stl files either.. tried meshlab to convert them. But results are bad. Having empty surfaces and takes so long.

    Cemal Uslu has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 321 comments.
  • Cemal Uslu

    Cemal Uslu over 12 years ago

    Check this out Kir Ari
    MakerBot Part Files

    Cemal Uslu has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 321 comments.
  • Joseph Larson

    Joseph Larson over 12 years ago

    Oh, and let's not forget the makerbot transformer:

    http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2865

    Granted a version that doesn't require screws would be awesome, but I think that one is already designed to be their mascot.

    Joseph Larson has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Kir Ari

    Kir Ari over 12 years ago

    Thank you very much Cemal! This really helps a LOT!

    Kir Ari has uploaded 30 CAD models & has left 261 comments.
  • David Thomas

    David Thomas over 12 years ago

    There's generally no need to shell solids with MakerBot models. ReplicatorG (MakerBot's g-code generator) automatically creates a lattice for filled solids to save material. It works really well. Very nice and easy to use software.

    David Thomas has uploaded 40 CAD models & has left 78 comments.
  • David Thomas

    David Thomas over 12 years ago

    As for the less-than-45deg overhangs-MakerBot does not use support materials, so to large of an overhang will droop. For example, you could design an inverted pyramid for it (as long as it isn't steeper than 45deg). Anything steeper than that requires that you design in a support system that could later be trimmed and sanded away.

    David Thomas has uploaded 40 CAD models & has left 78 comments.
  • Buks

    Buks over 12 years ago

    Is there i problem with 3D printing Spherical or dome shaped objects?

    Buks has uploaded 9 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Neil Reed

    Neil Reed over 12 years ago

    David can we assume that the support surfaces wan be added in later so our models will be "clean" for display? Or do we need to add in these surfaces for a complete entry? The thing is I have no experience with 3D printing and am not sure the best approach for adding in support surfaces....yet....:-)

    Neil Reed has uploaded 16 CAD models & has left 47 comments.
  • Hardi Meybaum

    Hardi Meybaum over 12 years ago

    Pablo, of course you can, just submit the your design and you are in.

    Hardi Meybaum has uploaded 6 CAD models & has left 771 comments.
  • Adam Rosendorff

    Adam Rosendorff over 12 years ago

    Can no part of our robot be larger than about a cm cubed?

    Adam Rosendorff has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 8 comments.
  • Neil Reed

    Neil Reed over 12 years ago

    Adam see requirements above. it is 100mm x 100mm x 120mm

    Neil Reed has uploaded 16 CAD models & has left 47 comments.
  • Joe Birner

    Joe Birner over 12 years ago

    Modeling for a prototype machine part, makes for the development of some odd modeling practices.
    Not the same as modeling up injection molded parts.

    Joe Birner has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 40 comments.
  • Hardi Meybaum

    Hardi Meybaum over 12 years ago

    Challenge will end one hour after Hawaian time.

    Hardi Meybaum has uploaded 6 CAD models & has left 771 comments.
  • Vincent Stockdale

    Vincent Stockdale over 12 years ago

    i have an important message is it due wndsday night or tonight i need this soon

    Vincent Stockdale has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Devin Holland

    Devin Holland over 12 years ago

    I remember watching it change at noon. At least that's what I'm banking on, I only have one arm left!

    Devin Holland has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Chloe Hamasaki

    Chloe Hamasaki over 12 years ago

    The countdown says there's an hour left and I uploaded another entry a few hours ago, but it's auto dated the 29th! It's still the 28th where I live (North Hollywood, CA) and it was the 28th on the east coast when I uploaded it.

    Chloe Hamasaki has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Chloe Hamasaki

    Chloe Hamasaki over 12 years ago

    For the record my model, M. Whiskers Racers says it was uploaded on 29 Sep 03:51. It's not being added to the pool of models and it's tagged makerbot.

    Chloe Hamasaki has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Cemal Uslu

    Cemal Uslu over 12 years ago

    I am having same problem. It says there is still 40 mins to deadline. I uploaded my model 4hours before or sumth. I can't see my entry on entries page. Hope i will be in too..

    Cemal Uslu has uploaded 44 CAD models & has left 321 comments.
  • Taylor

    Taylor over 12 years ago

    Also, same issue, an hour before deadline. Makerbot Mascot

    Also posted here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:12005

    Cheers!

    Taylor has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • Kristina Narusk

    Kristina Narusk over 12 years ago

    We'll take a look at what was the problem with the dates mixing up. And make sure all your entries qualify. Thanks for pointing out!

    Kristina Narusk has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 107 comments.
  • J W Foster

    J W Foster over 12 years ago

    I don't see my entry. Did I put it in wrong?
    MTOMbot Makerbot Mascot

    J W Foster has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • LineKernel

    LineKernel over 12 years ago

    btw , when is the result announced ?
    and where can we see it ?

    LineKernel has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • Neil Reed

    Neil Reed over 12 years ago

    It takes some time for them to come up with the winners...at least from my experience from other competitions... a week or more but not more than 2 weeks would be my guess. When they post the results there will be a tab up on top next to the entries tab that will have the results.

    Neil Reed has uploaded 16 CAD models & has left 47 comments.
  • Buks

    Buks over 12 years ago

    Is it possible for anyone to give us an estimate on the Date that the winners will be announced?

    Buks has uploaded 9 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Joe Birner

    Joe Birner over 12 years ago

    Very anxious to see some results!!!

    Joe Birner has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 40 comments.
  • Neil Reed

    Neil Reed over 12 years ago

    Was thinking that if they are printing the contenders that could be what is taking so long...

    Neil Reed has uploaded 16 CAD models & has left 47 comments.

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  • Total entries 78
    Private 1

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