- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Meet the Makers: 3D Printing Design Challenge Finalists Have Global Roots https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/39633?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/39633?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/39633?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Meet the Makers: 3D Printing Design Challenge Finalists Have Global Roots&body=ESG News from General Electric (GE) https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/39633?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Innovation & Technology](/CSR-News/innovation-technology-0) # Meet the Makers: 3D Printing Design Challenge Finalists Have Global Roots Sep 17, 2013 11:30 AM ET Campaign: [GE Citizenship](/news/campaign/ge-citizenship) ![](https://3blaws.s3.amazonaws.com/styles/carousel_2x/s3/images/CAD1.jpg) [Meet the Makers: 3D Printing Design Challenge Finalists Have Global Roots](http://www.gereports.com/meet-the-makers/) The maker movement is a big community of students, manufacturing enthusiasts and hobbyists using cutting edge tools and design software to find better ways to make things. In the U.S., they meet in TechShop workshops and flock to Maker Faire fairs to innovate and exchange ideas. But the results of GE’s latest manufacturing challenge show that the movement resonates far beyond America’s borders. It is an international affair. GE and GrabCAD, working closely with digital strategy firm [Undercurrent](http://undercurrent.com/), just announced 10 finalists of the [3D Printing Design Quest](http://www.gereports.com/the-finest-print/) challenge to redesign a jet engine bracket, make it lighter, and print it on a 3D printer. There were more than 700 entries and the finalists come from nine countries as different and far apart as Hungary, which has two, and Indonesia. They will each receive $1,000. The bracket is a key jet engine component. It supports the weight of the engine during handling and must withstand strong vibrations during flight. GE engineers will now manufacture the 10 designs and put them through mechanical tests at GE Global Research in upstate New York. The load testing will take place between Sept. 17 and Nov. 15 and the top eight designs will share a total prize pool of $20,000. “We have entered into a new era of manufacturing that is leveraging the proven power of open innovation,” said Mark Little, chief technology officer at GE Global Research. “Additive manufacturing is allowing GE, together with the maker community, to push the boundaries of traditional engineering. These finalists have demonstrated what can be achieved by embracing this more open, collaborative model.” The point has not been lost on New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman who wrote about the Quest challenge in his [latest column](http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/opinion/sunday/friedman-when-complexity-is-free.html?pagewanted=all). “When G.E. is looking to invent a new product, it first assembles its own best engineers from India, China, Israel and the U.S,” he writes. “But now it is also supplementing them by running ‘contests’ to stimulate the best minds anywhere to participate in G.E.’s innovations… I saw one prototype that was 80 percent lighter than the older version…A majority of entries came from people outside the aviation industry.” Explore our slideshow featuring designs from the 10 finalists. The judges also recognized several “special mention” entrants who were noted for creativity expressed in some aspects of their design, including the use of spring design, mesh design and aggressive topography optimization. They are [listed here](http://www.genewscenter.com/Press-Releases/GE-Unveils-the-Ten-Global-Finalists-for-its-Open-Innovation-Jet-Engine-Bracket-Design-Quest-42a9.aspx). [Read about the 3D printing design challenge on GE Reports.](http://www.gereports.com/meet-the-makers/) [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/general%2Belectric%2Blogo.gif)](/profiles/general-electric-ge) ### More from General Electric (GE) ###### [GE Africa and Jeff Immelt Recognized at Ai Investment & Business Leader Awards 2014](/news/ge-africa-and-jeff-immelt-recognized-ai-investment-business-leader-awards-2014) Oct 23, 2014 3:30 PM ET ###### [Lighting Up Baja: A Deadly Hurricane Knocked Cabo Hard, But Recovery Crews Didn’t Stay Down for the Count](/news/lighting-baja-deadly-hurricane-knocked-cabo-hard-recovery-crews-didnt-stay-down-count) Oct 23, 2014 10:00 AM ET ###### [GE Shortlisted for Responsible Business Award](/news/ge-shortlisted-responsible-business-award) Oct 8, 2014 3:30 PM ET ###### [GE Releases 2013 Progress Against Sustainability Commitments](/news/ge-releases-2013-progress-against-sustainability-commitments) Jun 30, 2014 8:30 PM ET ###### [ General Electric and Ashoka Changemakers Award $75K to Innovators Advancing Economic Equality for Women in the Middle East and North Africa](/news/general-electric-and-ashoka-changemakers-award-75k-innovators-advancing-economic-equality) Jan 22, 2014 4:00 PM ET ###### [ The Civic 50: Creating a Framework for Real Shared Value](/news/civic-50-creating-framework-real-shared-value) Jan 17, 2014 3:00 PM ET ###### [ A Women’s World: About Virtual Offices and Gender Gyms](/news/womens-world-about-virtual-offices-and-gender-gyms) Jan 8, 2014 11:45 AM ET ###### [MENAT: Business and Human Rights, Gender, and Migration Challenges](/news/menat-business-and-human-rights-gender-and-migration-challenges) Dec 11, 2013 1:00 PM ET