Winners Announced in Dimension 3D Printing Extreme Redesign Contest

Winners are Jordan Berger of New Paltz, NY, Christopher Triska and Alexander Soloviev of Toronto, Ontario and Michael Schmelzel of Aurora, Ill.

MINNEAPOLIS - Dimension 3D Printing, a brand of Stratasys Inc. (NASDAQ: SSYS), today announced the winners in its fifth annual “Extreme Redesign” challenge.

Extreme Redesign: The Ultimate 3D Printing Challenge is a global design and 3D printing contest for high school and college students. The contest calls on computer-aided-design (CAD) students worldwide to submit their most creative, useful and innovative Extreme Redesigns, whether it is a new perspective on an everyday product or a fresh vision for updating a famous piece of art, animation or architecture.

The three winners were selected from an international pool of entries by a panel of experts from within the design and engineering fields. Designs fall into one of three categories: High School, University or Art and Architecture. The three first-place category winners will receive $2,500 scholarships. The remaining finalists will each receive $1,000 scholarships.

Web videos featuring the three winners, photos and design descriptions are now available at http://tinyurl.com/erwinners

Winners

* High School Category: Jordan Berger, New Paltz H.S., N.Y.

The goal of Berger’s design, “Alphabet Blocks,” is to create a safer set of blocks that are more conducive for learning. The redesigned blocks would be manufactured from soft plastic rather than hard wood, removing the possibility of splinters. The blocks could be manufactured in multiple languages and would feature raised characters with corresponding images symbolizing each individual letter, such as an apple for the letter “A.”

* University Category: Christopher Triska and Alexander Soloviev, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario

The goal of Triska and Soloviev’s design, “Light Switch Cover,” is to expand the functionality of an everyday light switch cover. Most light switches are located near doors with clear wall spaces creating an opportunity to enhance functional activity. By physically extending the boundaries of a light switch cover, functions can be incorporated into the plate – such as space for mail and keys. Interchangeable plates allow for variation, adaptation, expandability and ease of replacement.

* Art and Architecture Category: Michael Schmelzel, Waubonsie Valley High School, Aurora, Ill.:

The goal of Schmelzel’s design, “Warrior Tailgating Pancake Mold,” is to create a product that promotes school spirit and can be sold to raise funds for booster clubs. The pancake mold is designed in the shape of the school logo. He envisions the pancake mold being sold and used at tailgate parties, such as football games and other school events.

Runners-up
High School Category

* Kenny Kenrick, Grand Haven H.S., Mich.: Cell Phone with Built-in Charger
* Chris Hatcher, Edgewater H.S., Orlando, Fla.: Laptop Cooling Fan

University Category

* Cory Behm / Matt Po, National Institute of the Deaf, Rochester Institute. of Technology, N.Y.: PDA/Cell Phone Notification System
* Justin Yeung & Serena Mahabir, Ryerson University Toronto, Ontario: Lotion Dispenser

Art and Architecture Category

* Daniel Abolafia, Bergen County Academies, Hillsdale, N.J.: Impossible Triangle
* John White, Metro Technology Centers, Oklahoma City, Okla.: Flower Faucet

“Congratulations to our 2008 winners and runners-up. They rose to the top of a very competitive field of entries,” said Jon Cobb, Stratasys vice president of sales and marketing for the Americas. “A high degree of functionality was a theme shared by the winning designs across all three categories. Thanks to our judges Ian Kovacevich of Enventys, Scott Schermer of S.C. Johnson and Jeff Rienke of Product Design and Development, for helping us choose this year’s impressive group of winners. Stay tuned for the launch of next year’s competition in the coming months.”

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. Dimension 3D printers allow users to evaluate design concepts and test models for functionality, form and fit.