This summer, MatterHackers and Enablingthefuture.org will launch a worldwide 3D printing design challenge called Within Reach. The challenge is to create new assistive tools for those with limited use of their hands, and can be accessed through www.matterhackers.com/WithinReach. The Within Reach Design Challenge starts Monday, July 11th and ends September 6th.

To encourage participation of both professional designers as well as summer camps, classrooms, and makerspaces, winners will be announced in two categories: youth (under 18) and adults (18 and over.) Each category will have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners with prizes sponsored by Ultimaker and MatterHackers. Pinshape will be hosting the challenge submissions, with judging by professional designers, members of the e­NABLE community, and Brandy Leigh Scott, who has limited use of her hands.

The Drive Behind Within Reach

Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are living without the full use of their hands, including stroke victims, military veterans, arthritis sufferers, children affected by severe epilepsy, and others with debilitating conditions. Last year, MatterHackers designed a few simple tools to help Brandy Leigh Scott, whose hands have been closing into fists since being diagnosed with a rare condition called Dupuytrens Contracture when she was seven years old. When Jen Owen of enablingthefuture.org saw the Brandy Story video MatterHackers had created showing how impactful these tools have been to Brandy’s life, she was inspired to create the Within Reach Challenge with MatterHackers, Ultimaker, and Pinshape.

How To Enter

1. Design a tool that would make life easier for someone with limited use of their hands or fingers. Brandy is just an example of the hundreds of thousands of people around the world without full use of their hands. You can design something for Brandy, a friend, a Grandparent, your local barista, anyone who inspires you to help. Try wrapping your own hands in tape or socks for a day and see what tasks you find difficult. How can you make it better?

2. Register for Pinshape and upload your design files to the Within Reach Design Challenge (Youth or Adult) on https://pinshape.com/contests/within­reach­design­challenge.

3. Participate in the inspiring online conversation and build momentum for your design all summer long by posting photos and video with hashtag #WithinReach3DP and by tagging @Pinshape @MatterHackers @EnableTheFuture or @Ultimaker on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Prizes

Grand Prize​: Youth (Under 18)

Ultimaker 2 + 3D Printer

MatterControl T10 3D Printer Controller

Three Spools of MatterHackers PRO Series PLA

 

Grand Prize: Adult (18 and over)

Ultimaker 2 Extended + 3D Printer

MatterControl T10 3D Printer Controller

Three Spools of MatterHackers PRO Series PLA

 

Second Prize (one per category):

Crafty 3D Printing Pen

$100 MatterHackers Gift Card

 

Third Prize (one per category):

$50 MatterHackers Gift Card

 

For more information on the Within Reach Design Challenge, please visit www.matterhackers.com/withinreach.

About MatterHackers

MatterHackers specializes in providing desktop 3D printing solutions, including hardware, materials and accessories. They also develop MatterControl 3D printer control software, and MatterControl Touch, a WiFi­enabled touchscreen controller that allows 3D printers to operate without a laptop or computer. www.matterhackers.com

About Enablingthefuture.org

Widely known as the hub for information on the e­NABLE open­source assistive devices project, enablingthefuture.org is a blog written and maintained by Jen Owen, wife of original e­NABLE device co­designer, Ivan Owen. Since the release of the first 3D printed hand design in 2013, the e­NABLE community has grown to over 8,000 3D printing enthusiasts, educators, kids, and professional prototypers in 45 countries, and produced over 1800 custom devices for children and adults in need. www.enablingthefuture.org

About Pinshape

Pinshape is one of the largest and fastest growing 3D printing communities and marketplaces for printable designs. Pinshape makes it easy to find high­quality 3D designs and fosters 3D printing education within its community of 90,000+ users. Pinshape is a 500 Startups­backed company located in Vancouver, Canada and is now part of the Formlabs family.

About Ultimaker

Ultimaker’s vision has been to make 3D printing accessible to all, which is why all their desktop printers are extremely quiet, fast, accurate, reliable and effortless to use. Ultimaker was awarded “Best in Shootout” 2015 from Make: Magazine, and Editors’ Choice by Digital Trends and Best Consumer Product at the 3D Printshow Global Awards 2014. www.ultimaker.com