Why you should enter a Printables design competition

Being able to design your own parts makes owning a 3D printer so much more rewarding. If you are looking for something to design to advance your skills, and perhaps would like to win some free filament, you should consider entering a design contest on Printables. This week I did just this, creating a modular toy car design, which pushed my design skills nicely.

In this video, I'll take you through my design process and give you tips on how you can maximise your success. I also provide instructions for those wanting to manufacture their own version of my toy car design.

Don’t worry about winning or losing, because the real victory comes from being willing to take on a challenge. These contests also have the added benefit of creating printable items that are clever solutions to everyday problems. I have chosen to make this video independently. I have no relationship with Prusa or Printables.

0:00 Introduction

0:42 Printables contests

1:54 My design criteria

2:46 My finished design

3:40 Modelling in CAD

5:51 Printing

6:34 Post processing

6:45 Assembly

11:58 Final car

12:19 Conclusion

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[JonS]

I won a recent Printables design contest with an old design that I hadn't shared before. While being inspired to create a new design (in a short time) is great, don't be afraid to enter a competition with something you already have.
p.s. I think these competitions are a very clever move by Prusa. Create community buzz; encourage people to check on the site more often; encourage more uploads.
p.p.s. Love the t-shirt Michael!

[SanderMakes]

Michael's coming for those 400 Prusameters!

[krazeykruzey]

You did a superb job on how you designed this car to easily have 2 different setups. Bravo!

[maffil]

I picked up a printer a few months ago and have upgraded it, its almost right and I honestly would love to start making stuff but I know this is going to be a big thing to learn. Massive thanks for all your uploads mate.

[jamiehobbs]

And now James hunt! So cool. Awesome look into mechanical design. Car bodies are SO hard to model in CAD! Awesome!

[CharlesRubach]

I've just started using OnShape from your tutorials to design my own parts. I've even uploaded a couple of them to Printables. I never thought about entering one of the contests, but this video gave me the boost to do just that.

[olafb.]

Wonderful design.
And thank you showing us the design process.

[allenpaley]

Nice one, Michael. Keep the creative fires burning!

[adamrosenberg]

Nice! I'll definitely have to start entering my own designs!

Also, good job using all matching screws!

[woodwaker]

Thanks for showing this. I agree that Printables has become the new go to site. They have a lot of designs and adding more all of the time. The rewards program makes it fun to participate and post designs and makes. I'm trying to get enough so that I will halve enough to get my Prusa XL when it is released. Not sure which will happen first.

[designstudio]

So cool! Thank you! I'm currently in the lead (I think!) on a Printables contest. If I win, it would be my first time ever.

[sed]

Wonderful design! Love to see a truck body!

[mcgaw]

Can not wait to get first printer miss designing things from when left uni this is something I will definitely get into

[techdiyer]

Awesome!! Im actually in need of filament right now

[blackwolfecc]

Really awesome design. Magnets on the chassis side pieces and the roof could be used to help keep the two pieces together instead of screws. Gives it a bit more "kid" proofing and for easy swapping for custom tops.

[brdy]

I want a MP4/4 body. Awesome project, thank you so much for showing your CAD process.

[fouzaialaa]

this is genius !! i might remix this and change the suspension to use rubber bands instead of tpu part since i cant print tpu, and then i might scale up a lancia stratos body from thingiverse !!

[moth.monster]

i haven't won any of the contests but they're still fun to look at

[tomsocall]

thanks Michael for your inspiration! Even if I did not finish my design in time for the competition, my first toy car using Ikea Lint Rollers is live :)))

[tyreksimmons]

i made something similar to this. mine had petg wheels and springs. it also used 7 degrees of caster to create natural counter steer.
but instead of it being a print in one it was just a chassi for a 1:24 scale die Camaro.
id have to improve its design and make the body 3dprintable if i want o qualifyif.