Dimension 3D Printing, a brand of Stratasys Inc., invites computer-aided design (CAD) students to submit a design for its seventh annual Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge. The contest challenges students worldwide to submit their innovative designs, whether an entirely original concept, a new perspective on an existing product, or a work of art, animation, or architecture.

Educators attest that the annual design and 3D printing contest has made an impact on students. “Having the opportunity to set their sights on a goal, participate with other schools, and complete a challenging project…was life-changing for some students in this school, which is located in a lower socio-economic area of the city,” says Colin Reid of Vancouver Technical Secondary School in Vancouver, B.C.

Dimension 3D Printing will again award nine student winners either $2,500 or $1,000 scholarships in the categories of High School Engineering, College Engineering, and Art & Architecture.

Designs will be evaluated based on creativity, usefulness, part integrity, and aesthetics. Instructors of the three first-place student winners will receive a laptop computer for use in the classroom. Since the contest began seven years ago, more than $50,000 in scholarships has been awarded to students.

This year’s contest will also feature two bonus award categories, in which students may compete for $250. The first bonus category asks students to create a fresh design twist on an existing building or bridge. The second bonus category challenges students to create an intriguing puzzle or game.

For an entry in any category to be competitive, the submission must be a sound mechanical design, realistic, and achievable, and include a clear, written description of the design.

Once the design is complete, students should send an .stl file of their Extreme Redesign, a completed submission form, and a 200-word description or 30-second video conveying the value and benefit of the Extreme Redesign entry.

Final submissions must be either received online or postmarked by January 31, 2011. A panel of independent judges from various industries will judge final entries. Winners will be selected and announced this spring.

For videos, photos, and descriptions of previous winning designs, visit Extreme Redesign 3D Printing Challenge at http://www.dimensionprinting.com/extreme-redesign/extreme-redesign-main.aspx?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=EXTREMEREDESIGN2010&utm_campaign=PREXTREMEREDESIGN2010. For contest rules and regulations, visit Extreme Redesign Rules & Regulations at http://www.dimensionprinting.com/extreme-redesign/contestrules.aspx?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=EXTREMEREDESIGN2010&utm_campaign=PREXTREMEREDESIGN2010.

To qualify for the notebook computer, students must include their instructor’s name and e-mail address on their submission form.

Dimension, a brand of 3D printers by Stratasys, offers computer-aided design (CAD) users a low-cost, networked alternative for building functional 3D models from the desktop. The printers build models layer-by-layer using ABS plastic, one of the most widely used thermoplastics in today’s injection-molded products.