At DesignSpark we love helping engineers create world-changing products. With the launch of our new 3D modeling software, DesignSpark Mechanical, we want to give every engineer access to 3D design. That’s why we’re making this ‘gift of invention’ available completely free of charge.
The ultimate Design Challenge is underway!
Find out more about the Design Challenge Event here
Day 1
We’re reporting live from Manchester’s historic Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) on Day 1 of our Design Challenge.
Over the next three days, we’ll keep you updated with all the action as our four teams take on the ultimate design challenge: to create a ‘life-changing invention’ in just 48 hours using our new FREE software tool, DesignSpark Mechanical. Read more about the design brief given to the contestants.
MOSI is certainly the right venue for it. The museum occupies the site of the former Liverpool Road Station, the world’s oldest passenger railway station. As Trevor Baylis (OBE) said in his keynote speech, “You can smell the golden age of steam”.
Design Challenge latest
Throughout the day we will be updating this blog with the latest on what's going on. You can also view a live video stream and see pictures going up through the day on our Design Challenge website.
The Teams
(11:45)
Trevor Baylis has just given an inspiring talk on ‘Innovation and Invention’ and now the teams are busy brainstorming their ideas.
The concentration in the room is palpable and our live Twitter wall is bursting with activity from an excited engineering community.
We spoke to Jude Pullen earlier, from Team Tesla, and he was excited by the prospect of tackling the Challenge brief.
“We’ve got no idea what we’re going to end up designing, which is exciting. I like to be dropped in at the deep end.”
(13:00)
Some common themes are already emerging at this early stage around energy, conservation and health. And expectations are high – Team Tesla told us: “One of our ideas is to improve the wheel”.
Other ideas that are being thrown around include a honey extraction technology, a power solution for third world rural areas using bamboo and a new take on the pencil sharpener.
(14:30)
Team Kao are in serious shortlisting mode: “We’ve gone from 20 life-changing concepts to three”.
(15:00)
Trevor Baylis has offered our Challengers some inspiring words: “48 hours? It took me half an hour to invent my best idea.”
(15:30)
Team Babbage have made an early bid for most competitive Challengers with a statement of intent: “We’re in it to win it”.
The Babbage guys have even created their own hashtag, follow their creative process here #TeamBabbage.
Team idea updates
(16:00)
All four teams have now decided on a ‘life-changing’ product.
3D printing is a big theme of our Design Challenge and Team Baylis have decided to tackle it head on with the creation of mass-market 3D printer cartridges. They aim to design a more consumer-friendly and affordable cartridge which brings this incredible technology to the masses.
Team Kao have struck upon the novel idea of combining a bike lock with a bike alarm. They whittled down their ideas with the help of a voting system. Design democracy in action.
Team Babbage have settled on an energy conservation concept inspired by pedal power. They plan to mount a disc on the spindle of a bicycle wheel which generates electricity when it spins. This electrical energy will be used to charge batteries for smartphones and tablets.
Team Tesla are pushing forward with an inspired idea to improve household plugs. They want to make it easier for the elderly and those with physical impairments to extract plugs from sockets. Their design will explore how the storage of mechanical energy can be used to create an innovative push and pull process. Look out for lots more updates on springs and sockets!
Day One Closes
Keep checking this blog for all the latest Design Challenge updates.