Sign up between now and Oct 12. Contest will run till Nov 12.

Sign up by adding your project to the reprap wiki page below, or post a comment here with your thingiverse project page and I'll add it. Details, rules, prizes, and running points totals also available a the wiki page below.

reprap.org/wiki/Vertical_X_Axis_Standard_Contest

Basically you design stuff to the standard

reprap.org/wiki/Vertical_X_Axis_Standard

And compete for prizes. Prizes include a complete Gen7 electronics set including drivers, and other cool prizes.

9-17-11: Posted pictures of the LCD displays that make up part of the prize packages. They are KTM-S1201 12 digit seven segment serial LCD displays.

9-18-11: Posted picture of the high power 3W LED's that make up part of the prize packages. It is shown soldered to the included 12V driver.

9-19-11: Posted picture of Gen7 electronics. First prize includes a full Gen7 RepRap electronics board soldered and tested including the pololu drivers.


Note: In an attempt to inform the contest going (and organizing) public here are my criteria for a good contest and the reason I am going to some lengths to generate publicity both here and in the reprap forums.

1. Try to allow enough time for publicity/prototyping/etc. It can take a couple weeks for announcements to make it through the community, a couple weeks to come up with an idea, a couple weeks to make it work, etc. Spend a significant effort publicizing the contest and continue updating progress throughout.

2. Make it challenging but not too daunting for newbs, or know your audience. A $150 prize may seem like a great incentive, but if the entry requires 100+ hours of work most will not even consider it. There are opportunity costs after all.

3. Make the rules simple and transparent. Judging should be as objective as possible. Some will not attempt a contest they feel is too subjectively judged. (If mine is the BEST, but the judges like the stupid one over there ...)
3a. What happens if the contestants don't fulfill all the requirements, will you still award the prizes based on highest scored entrant?
3b. Rules should be transparent enough that it is obvious who won. Quickly award prize and publicize again.

4. Have prizes for more than just the first place winner. Knowing you have a better chance to win something can increase the number of entrants.

5. Make the contest meaningful. If the task has no obvious value to the community some might avoid it just because they consider it a waste of their time. Many of the active reprapers are motivated by the perceived value of their contributions to the community. If the task is something that is considered worthwhile without the prize it will draw more contestants.

We'll see whether I am able to fulfill the objectives I have set.