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title, category, order, description, tags
| title | category | order | description | tags | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maker Challenges | challenges | 1 | Monthly 3D printing challenges, guidelines, and archive. |
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3D Print Meetup Challenges
Welcome to our monthly 3D printing challenges! Each month features a unique theme designed to test different aspects of 3D printing skills, from material handling to design innovation.
Active Challenge
September 2026: "Practi"FALL" Prints"
Theme: Functional Utility & Everyday Practicality
Key Details:
- Model: Any functional or practical print (door stop, bottle/can opener, tool, bracket, organizer, etc.)
- Goal: Create a functional item that solves a real-world problem or makes life easier
- Focus: Share your print use case, design/slicing approach, and durability considerations
Upcoming Challenge
October 2026: "[Theme TBD]"
Status: Planning in progress
Expected Timeline:
- Announcement: September meeting (September 16th, 2026)
- Submission Period: October 2026
- Judging: October 2026
View Upcoming Challenge Preview
Challenge Archive
View Complete Challenge Archive
2026 Challenges
| Month | Challenge Name | Theme | Status | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | "Practi"FALL" Prints" | Functional Utility & Practicality | Active | current.md |
| August | "Gridfinity Extravaganza" | Organizational Efficiency | Archived | August-2026.md |
| July | "Scarf Seams" | Seam Placement & Settings | Archived | July-2026.md |
| June | "Show & Tell Extravaganza!" | Community Showcase | Archived | June-2026.md |
| May | "Bring an Experiment (Round 2!)" | Try something new, crazy, or wild | Archived | May-2026.md |
| April | "Bring an Experiment" | Try something new | Archived | April-2026.md |
| March | "Bring an Experiment" | Unusual materials and printer limits | Archived | March-2026.md |
| February | "Bring Your Best" | Proudest and highest-quality print | Archived | February-2026.md |
| January | "Maker Coin Holder Design" | Desk display and coin holder | Archived | January-2026.md |
2025 Challenges
| Month | Challenge Name | Theme | Status | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | "Bring Your Test Models" | Calibration & Test Prints | Archived | December-2025.md |
| November | "Wait, This Was Printed?" | Surface Finish & Layer Lines | Archived | November-2025.md |
| October | "Is it Glass or Clearly Natural?" | Transparency & Clarity | Archived | October-2025.md |
How Challenges Work
Challenge Structure
Each monthly challenge includes:
- Specific theme focusing on different 3D printing aspects
- Clear requirements for models, materials, and techniques
- Multiple award categories for different achievements
- Community judging during show & tell sessions
- Documentation sharing for learning and improvement
Participation
- Open to all skill levels - beginners to experts welcome
- Bring your submission to the monthly meetup
- Share your process - settings, techniques, and lessons learned
- Vote on favorites during community judging
- Learn from others through shared experiences
Awards & Recognition
Each challenge features multiple ways to win:
- Technical excellence awards for best execution
- Innovation awards for creative approaches
- People's choice awards from community voting
- Category-specific awards based on challenge theme
- Social media features for all participants
Challenge Development
Suggesting Challenges
Community members can suggest future challenge themes:
- Submit ideas during meetup discussions
- Discord voting on proposed themes
- School partnership input for educational value
- Skill development focus areas
Challenge Template
For organizers developing new challenges, see our Challenge Template & Guidelines which provides the standard structure and guidelines for creating engaging monthly competitions.
Current Focus: Join us for the September Practi"FALL" Prints challenge and bring your functional prints to the September 16th meetup!