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3DPrintMeetup/challenges.md
Meetup Organizer 9e93556e1c Update August meetup details, permanent location, and sync wiki
- Establish West Fargo Public Library as standard meeting location
- Sync August 2026 Gridfinity challenge and September upcoming challenge
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2026-08-16 21:12:11 -05:00

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Table of Contents

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

August 2026: "Gridfinity Extravaganza"

Theme: Organizational Efficiency

Key Details:

  • Model: At least one Gridfinity Base plate and one Top Accessory
  • Goal: Create a functional and well-executed Gridfinity module that solves a real-world storage problem
  • Focus: Share your accessory use case, design/print approach, and settings

View Full Challenge Details

Upcoming Challenge

September 2026: "[Theme TBD]"

Status: Planning in progress

Expected Timeline:

  • Announcement: August meeting (August 19th, 2026)
  • Submission Period: September 2026
  • Judging: September 2026

Challenge Archive

2026 Challenges

Month Challenge Name Theme Status
April "Bring an Experiment" Try something new Archived
May "Bring an Experiment (Round 2!)" Try something new, crazy, or wild Archived
June "Show & Tell Extravaganza!" Community Showcase Archived
July "Scarf Seams" Seam Placement & Settings Archived
August "Gridfinity Extravaganza" Organizational Efficiency Active
September [TBD] [TBD] Planning

2025 Challenges

Month Challenge Name Theme Status
October "Is it Glass or Clearly Natural?" Transparency & Clarity Archived
November "Wait, This Was Printed?" Surface Finish & Layer Lines Archived
December "Bring Your Test Models" Calibration & Test Prints Archived

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 which provides the standard structure and guidelines for creating engaging monthly competitions.


Current Focus: Join us for the August Gridfinity challenge and bring your base & accessories to the August 19th meetup!