Geometry and material in harmony is the theme of this year’s international Purmundus challenge. The design competition for 3D and 4D printing is placing a deliberate focus on the interplay of materials and design against the backdrop of dwindling resources and important environmental issues, and thus stimulating innovation for sustainable development through the use of modern additive technologies. As is tradition, the finalists and winners of the purmundus challenge will be featured at Formnext, which is taking place from 10 to 13 November 2020.

In 2020, the international design competition will concentrate on issues that are also becoming increasingly important in the world of additive manufacturing: strategies to reduce the use of materials, reusability, and efficient recycling. Special materials can drive important developments in this field and are therefore the main focus of the challenge. For example, entrants are explicitly being encouraged to address sustainability as well as new, renewable, or functional materials. This includes employing assets and procedures that have not yet broken through, are still being researched, or have yet to be invented. It may also lead to the use of materials with shape memory or the presentation of additive processes that make the use of previously unimagined materials possible.

Good design also plays an important role, however, and will be evaluated by the international judging panel together with the practical benefit, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetics of the products. The panel comprises the following internationally renowned figures from the industry:
Christoph Behling (Christoph Behling Design Ltd.),
Prof. Richard Bibb (Loughborough University),
Isabelle Fröhlich (Volkswagen AG),
Tilla Goldberg (Ippolito Fleitz Group GmbH),
James Helliwell (hyperTunnel Limited),
Dr. Alexander Hildebrandt (Festo AG & Co. KG),
Frank Kleemann (Freelance industrial designer),
Andreas Pany (Ernst Strassacker GmbH & Co. KG),
Prof. Dali Sun (Beijing University of Technology),
Graham Tromans (G.P. Tromans Associates), and
Dr. Clara Usma (Deakin University).

The purmundus challenge is open to professionals, institutions, and companies as well as up and coming talent. The custom design solutions are first shortlisted for presentation at Formnext 2020. On the third day, 12 November 2020, the panel will select and honor the winners in the different categories. As in previous years, an audience award determined by Formnext 2020 attendees over the course of the event will also be presented. There are a number of cash and other attractive prizes worth a total of €30,000 to be won in the design competition. The deadline for submissions is 21 September 2020. For more information, visit www.purmundus-challenge.com

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