From an innovative bicycle frame to a powered hand orthosis and a custom-made, recyclable sneaker: The winners of the international purmundus challenge 2020, announced today at Formnext Connect, demonstrate the diverse technological possibilities and the breadth of current and future applications of 3D and 4D printing.

Under the theme Geometry and Material in Harmony, this year’s purmundus challenge awarded first place to Ralf Holleis from the company Huhn Cycles for the 3D-printed Moorhuhn Bike, which offers an impressive combination of stability and light weight. Second and third places were awarded to HKK Bionics with the Exomotion Hand One, and Svet Abjo with the 3D-printed Sneaker Zero.

The purely digital event did nothing to dampen the growing popularity of the purmundus challenge. As Corinna Ray, head of the purmundus challenge, explains, “We received more entries than ever before, and the quality has never been higher.” The finalists, all of which showcased their innovations at Formnext Connect, hail from 5 continents and 13 countries: China, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, Nigeria, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, and the United States.

The overall winner of the purmundus challenge, the Moorhuhn Bike, boasts an optimized bicycle frame geometry courtesy of additive manufacturing. The Moorhuhn frame is made from ultra-lightweight titanium tubes, connected by 3D-printed lugs. This makes the joints extremely rigid and distributes the forces evenly. HKK Bionics is similarly venturing into new areas of application with the Exomotion Hand One: The bionic hand orthosis, which takes the form of a ‘motorized glove’ has been developed as a functional, reliable assistive device for everyday life to restore the gripping function of paralyzed hands. Intelligent software connected to a sensitive sensor integrated within the biocompatible PA12 3D printed splint recognizes the user’s intentions based on the muscle movements further up the arm and controls the microdrives in each of the fingers. The 3D-printed Sneaker Zero by Svet Abjo is a fully functional, recyclable sneaker that is made to measure on the basis of foot scans.

This year, the purmundus challenge also announced a new award: Yejun Fu from the School of Design Innovation, Victoria University of Wellington, received the first ever Newcomer award for the Adaptive Splint. The project investigates the use of 4D printing for an adjustable wrist splint for example.

Other winners included the ANAMOS heart model (Innovation Prize), the tactile color compass that generates haptic experiences for people with sight loss (Special Mention), and the BOLT-IT concept, which enables an automated physical and digital post-process chain through automated gripping and handling of the AM part for post-processing (Simulation Driven Design).

The audience prize remains open for votes until 22 November 2020. The winners of the purmundus challenge will each receive a share of a €30,000 prize fund.

For more information, please visit purmundus-challenge.com and formnext.de/connect

Background information on Formnext
Formnext is the leading trade fair for Additive Manufacturing and the next generation of intelligent manufacturing solutions. It focuses on the efficient realization of parts and products, from their design to serial production. Formnext shows the future of innovative manufacturing. Formnext is organized by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. (formnext.com)

About Mesago Messe Frankfurt
Mesago, founded in 1982 and located in Stuttgart, specializes in exhibitions and conferences on various topics of technology. The company belongs to the Messe Frankfurt Group. Mesago operates internationally and is not tied to a specific venue. With 160 members of staff Mesago organizes events for the benefit of more than 3,300 exhibitors and over 110,000 trade visitors, conference delegates and speakers from all over the world. Numerous trade associations, publishing houses, scientific institutes and universities work with Mesago closely as advisers, co-organizers and partners. (mesago.com)

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