IDSA's 3D-printed car design contest gets underway

Aspiring designers have the chance to see their 3D-printed car designs launched down a miniature model of a ski jump and crash in the Launch Day 2013 competition due to take place at the 2013 IDSA conference, which runs from 21-24 August.

Up to five designs can be entered for free until 12 August in the competition, organized by The Industrial Designers Society of America. All submissions will then be judged for both aesthetics and for "using unique attributes of 3D printing" which will whittle them down to just 10 designs that will be printed before the launch.

Judges will award the prizes based on three criteria: 'Best Flight (Distance/Style)', 'Best Aesthetics' and the intriguing ‘Most Spectacular Crash'. Those who can't make it will be able to catch all the action on YouTube through a slow-motion camera focused on the crash site.

The winner will earn themselves a brand-new 3D printer, while runners-up will take home $100 gift cards from competition sponsor Inventables.

For full details and rules, head over the competition website.

By Rufus Thompson