Exciting engineering challenges with great prizes

Show off your skills and solve real design problems

The EvD 'Make Your Laser Cut Toy' contest

EvD is putting on the contest of the year and giving you a chance to kickstart your project with a design pack worthy of the excellence spewing forth from your brain pan!

Have you ever wanted to make your own toy? Or, maybe you already have an idea for one? Now is your chance to make it happen. We're not stopping at just designing it though, oh no. With this contest, you'll be able to get it in your hand, plus have the tools and resources to get your project ready for a crowdfunded product launch or begin making and selling it through Ponoko. Here's how it works...

Details: Simple. Create the coolest laser cut toy ever imagined.

Suggestions:
- Think about aspects that make it both attractive to kid makers and older makers
- Look through other laser cut Kickstarter projects that have been successfully funded
- Look through Ponoko's 2D design guide http://www.ponoko.com/make-and-sell/design-it-yourself
- Check out also WoodMarvels site for inspiration (Over 70 toys!) http://www.woodmarvels.com/category/toys

Rules

  • Multiple entries may be submitted. (each submission counts as an entry!)

  • Any medium is allowed, physical or virtual, so long as it communicates the design of an actual lasercut prototype: cut paper, cardboard, styrene, balsa wood, ginger bread, Sketchup, 123D, Rhino, SpaceClaim, SolidWorks, NX, or anything else you can think of... whatevs!

  • Only entries uploaded to GrabCAD library through this Challenge page will participate in the competition. Tag your files with “lasercuttoy” when uploading it to GrabCAD. Only entries with valid tag will participate!

  • This Challenge starts on Monday, October 8th, 2012

  • This Challenge ends on Monday November 12, 2012

  • All submissions must be made between Monday, October 8th (12am PDT) and Monday, November 12th, 2012 (11:59pm PDT)

  • Please include a universal CAD format, such as STEP or IGES, in the upload.

  • The winners will be announced before December 12th, 2012 on this Challenge page.

Prizes

One (1) Grand Prize entry receives:

Lenovo W530 mobile workstation + SpaceClaim Engineer license + entry cut by Ponoko + subscription to Develop3D + Pro membership at cadjunkie.com

Five (5) Runner-ups receive:

Ponoko Making Voucher worth $50
Premium cadjunkie.com membership
GrabCAD T shirt

About the jury?

Judging will be done by EvD and sponsors. Grand prize and runner-up prizes will be announced Monday, November 19th, 2012 on SolidSmack.com and sponsor sites.

About Sponsored by: Lenovo, SpaceClaim, Ponoko and Develop3D

Lenovo is a US$21 billion personal technology company and the world’s second-largest PC vendor with more than 26,000 employees in more than 60 countries serving customers in more than 160 countries. http://lenovo.com

SpaceClaim has become the leader in 3D Direct Modeling solutions for rapid concept design and geometry manipulation, with adoption rates within engineering, product development, and manufacturing companies soaring. http://www.spaceclaim.com

Ponoko is an online service for manufacturing.
http://www.ponoko.com/

DEVELOP3D is a print and digital resource which tracks the essential technologies used throughout the entire product development process. http://develop3d.com

42 comments

  • Ármin Fendrik

    Ármin Fendrik over 12 years ago

    Is there a maximal size, or complexity to the design?

    Ármin Fendrik has uploaded 49 CAD models & has left 105 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    This comment was removed

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Angelo

    Angelo over 12 years ago

    oh man, this one excites me! ive always wanted to be a toy designer :D

    Angelo has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 45 comments.
  • Santoo

    Santoo over 12 years ago

    Can the toy include movable links? I mean movable joints?

    Santoo has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    Hi Santoo, yes, it can include movable links/joints. It simply needs to be a laser-cuttable design, e.g. planar elements to create a 3D design.

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Lumas

    Lumas over 12 years ago

    Can't wait to get started! Are we able to include components that aren't part of the laser cutting? Elastic, springs, string... that sort of thing?

    Lumas has uploaded 16 CAD models & has left 66 comments.
  • Hardi Meybaum

    Hardi Meybaum over 12 years ago

    Wooood, Yes this is cool.

    Hardi Meybaum has uploaded 6 CAD models & has left 771 comments.
  • Romano Gaspari

    Romano Gaspari over 12 years ago

    thikness of plywood you prefer, please.

    Romano Gaspari has uploaded 8 CAD models & has left 113 comments.
  • Saulo Rodrigues de Quevedo

    Saulo Rodrigues de Quevedo over 12 years ago

    Hello ..

    I imagine the use of new tires for tractors and trucks and heavy weight load. May be several (6-16) buffers to simulate a tube or even water (which is used in rubber tires) with shoes steel or cast iron (these; type mat tanks). Will be great and the final cost of this type of tire can be much less than the cost of rubber tires for this application. It is a suggestion.

    Saulo Quevedo

    InovaStar Projects and Technology Solutions.

    Saulo Rodrigues de Quevedo has uploaded 35 CAD models & has left 74 comments.
  • Nick Hampton

    Nick Hampton over 12 years ago

    Does the toy hafto be wood?Can perspex be used?

    Nick Hampton has uploaded 20 CAD models & has left 26 comments.
  • Dragan Beljan

    Dragan Beljan over 12 years ago

    What are the maximum allowable size for a wood?

    I have never been able to find this information.

    Dragan Beljan has uploaded 89 CAD models & has left 173 comments.
  • Philippe Voinov

    Philippe Voinov over 12 years ago

    Does assembly complexity/time matter? What about cost? Can the design be extremely complicated (1000's of pieces) or should it be simple yet cool?

    Philippe Voinov has uploaded 5 CAD models & has left 10 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    This comment was removed

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    You can use any of the available laser cut materials on Ponoko, including acrylic.

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    This comment was removed

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • edgarinventor

    edgarinventor over 12 years ago

    Suppose someone not in the USA gets the 1st prize. What about the Shipping?

    edgarinventor has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    We'll work with the winner to line-up shipping if they are not in the USA. Typically, this hasn't been a problem.

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    Paulo, you can always submit your entry as a private entry or just upload screenshots, renderings or other images of the design. Best to let everyone see the images at the very least! Thanks!

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • masynmachien

    masynmachien over 12 years ago

    Hi, can the lasercut parts be combined with common hardware and materials, or does it need to be made entirely by lasercutting?

    masynmachien has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 2 comments.
  • andres cacho

    andres cacho over 12 years ago

    can i propose to print some parts of the toy?

    andres cacho has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • teigan

    teigan over 12 years ago

    what qualifies as a toy? there are chairs and lamps in the contest that not only are not toys, they would not appeal to kids at all. are we broadening the contest guidelines? because if so there should be an official statement, to let everyone know that nontoys are just as eligible as toys.

    teigan has uploaded 9 CAD models & has left 167 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    Hi Teigan, it definitely needs to have the appeal to younger children. As said in the suggestions above, " Think about aspects that make it both attractive to kid makers and older makers." In this case, there may be some that would not qualify. The judges will be part of deciding that, along with what lines up with the manufacturing guidelines for laser cut parts. I hope this answers you question! Good luck!!

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Eduardo Santos

    Eduardo Santos over 12 years ago

    I'm not able to see my project on the entries. How do I know that it is being considered for the challenge?

    Eduardo Santos has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 1 comments.
  • teigan

    teigan over 12 years ago

    too many projects are including parts which can't be laser cut like round wooden dowels or even steel axles. isn't that cheating?

    teigan has uploaded 9 CAD models & has left 167 comments.
  • Alar Jõgi

    Alar Jõgi over 12 years ago

    Tryed to submit an antry 2 times. Still not seen in entry list. Is my design accepted or not ? - Catamaran sailboat : luxury edition

    Alar Jõgi has uploaded 17 CAD models & has left 23 comments.
  • Kaspar Kiis

    Kaspar Kiis over 12 years ago

    We will not miss off any of the entries. Please check back in 12 hours and send me an e-mail to kaspar@grabcad.com if it is still not in the list: http://grabcad.com/challenges/the-evd-make-your-laser-cut-toy-contest/entries Sorry about the inconveniences.

    Kaspar Kiis has uploaded 3 CAD models & has left 635 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    Teigan, not to worry, we will all be looking at the entries and keeping in mind what qualifies as a toy and something that can be laser cut.

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Josh Mings

    Josh Mings over 12 years ago

    Thanks everyone for participating in the competition! We'll be going through all the entries and announcing the winner Monday, November 19th.

    Josh Mings has uploaded 0 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • bogy

    bogy over 12 years ago

    When we might expect the results?

    bogy has uploaded 13 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Nick Hampton

    Nick Hampton over 12 years ago

    Winners are now up on Solid smack-Congrats to the winner!

    Nick Hampton has uploaded 20 CAD models & has left 26 comments.
  • Douglas Guerra

    Douglas Guerra over 12 years ago

    It's not fair, 80% of winners doesn't work in real world, and the big winner model is very close to marvels model, and the ferrywheels is subtract of scrollsaw magazine.

    Very sad

    Douglas Guerra has uploaded 25 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Reza Allahyari

    Reza Allahyari over 12 years ago

    I agree .Very sad .

    Reza Allahyari has uploaded 141 CAD models & has left 1574 comments.
  • Bob Spikman

    Bob Spikman over 12 years ago

    @Dougwar - probably its just those which are the most inspiring to the jury/company, and fair to show those who have put a lot of effort in the competition.

    Bob Spikman has uploaded 4 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Tom Fred

    Tom Fred over 12 years ago

    Congratulations to winners,But
    there were wonderful designs like:

    Taj mahal By KFZ-Schule
    Wooden space shuttle By Mohammad Shubbak
    Wooden train By Mohammad Shubbak
    Fusca convertible - puzzle 3d By Paulo Bubolz
    Tyrannosaurus rex - puzzle 3d By Paulo Bubolz
    Ferris wheel for kids By Ravinder Saggam
    Bird By reza allahyari

    Did not win, unfortunately I'm not quite satisfied with the results.
    hard luck for you Engineers.

    Tom Fred has uploaded 19 CAD models & has left 189 comments.
  • Jon Calvert

    Jon Calvert over 12 years ago

    wow, i definitely didn't tag mine with lasercuttoy :(

    Jon Calvert has uploaded 5 CAD models & has left 4 comments.
  • Joe Webster

    Joe Webster over 12 years ago

    Congrats to all the winners! Very nice work.

    Joe Webster has uploaded 1 CAD models & has left 6 comments.
  • Simonr

    Simonr over 12 years ago

    Well done to the winners - the Castle was a good choice. Not as cool from an engineeringnerd point of view as the hand or lion, but probably has the most play value in it. There were some really cool designs altogether.

    Simonr has uploaded 24 CAD models & has left 214 comments.
  • Branko Stokuca

    Branko Stokuca over 12 years ago

    Congrats to winners. Great models whatsoever.

    Branko Stokuca has uploaded 117 CAD models & has left 854 comments.
  • Douglas Guerra

    Douglas Guerra over 12 years ago

    The great winner Andrea garuti, no description on your profile, on entry in grabcad then won!! Hahaha, and another's wins teach me how turning pin and axis on laser cut.

    Douglas Guerra has uploaded 25 CAD models & has left 11 comments.
  • Andrea Garuti

    Andrea Garuti over 12 years ago

    Many thanks!
    I think a lot of other works are better than mine from the point of view of the 3D design, but cad drawing ,woodworking, and make toys for my children are three of my best passions. This challenge was "lasercut" around me and I'm very happy that my work was chosen as the winner.

    Andrea Garuti has uploaded 2 CAD models & has left 3 comments.
  • Hardi Meybaum

    Hardi Meybaum over 12 years ago

    Congrats to all the winners. Can't wait to actually manufacture some of these projects.

    Hardi Meybaum has uploaded 6 CAD models & has left 771 comments.
  • Douglas Guerra

    Douglas Guerra almost 12 years ago

    http://www.finescrollsaw.com/ferris-wheel.htm

    Douglas Guerra has uploaded 25 CAD models & has left 11 comments.

    • Please log in to add comments.

    Log in
  • Deadline Passed
  • Total entries 0
  • Who’s in the jury?
  • al dean
    Develop 3D
  • Josh Mings
    Solidsmack
  • Blake Courter
    SpaceClaim
  • Adam OHern
    Cadjunkie
  • Gabe Blanchet
    GrabCAD
  • Jon
    Woodmarvels
  • Dave ten Have
    Ponoko

Have an awesome idea for this competition? Want to win cool prizes? Sign-up now to upload your entries.

Sign up to upload your ideas

Sign up now
We have updated our terms in order to better protect your hard work and keep our challenges running smoothly! To submit your challenge entry, please read and accept the new Challenge Terms and Conditions.

Save Cancel
White Stratasys Logo White GrabCAD Logo
© 2025 Stratasys Inc.
ABOUT US
RESOURCES
Support
SOCIAL
Streamline Pro
Control
Print
Shop
PARTNERS
COMMUNITY
Contact Us Website Terms of Use Software Terms of Use Privacy policy Trademarks Your Data on GrabCAD
The Computer-Aided Design ("CAD") files and all associated content posted to this website are created, uploaded, managed and owned by third-party users. Each CAD and any associated text, image or data is in no way sponsored by or affiliated with any company, organization or real-world item, product, or good it may purport to portray.