110 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
110 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Maker Challenges"
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category: "challenges"
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order: 1
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description: "Monthly 3D printing challenges, guidelines, and archive."
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tags:
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- challenges
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---
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# 3D Print Meetup Challenges
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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.
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## Active Challenge
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### September 2026: "Practi"FALL" Prints"
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**Theme**: Functional Utility & Everyday Practicality
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**Key Details**:
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- **Model**: Any functional or practical print (door stop, bottle/can opener, tool, bracket, organizer, etc.)
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- **Goal**: Create a functional item that solves a real-world problem or makes life easier
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- **Focus**: Share your print use case, design/slicing approach, and durability considerations
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**[View Full Challenge Details](https://meetup.fargo3d.com/Fargo3d/3DPrintMeetup/wiki/Current-Challenge)**
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## Upcoming Challenge
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### October 2026: "[Theme TBD]"
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**Status**: Planning in progress
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**Expected Timeline**:
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- **Announcement**: September meeting (September 16th, 2026)
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- **Submission Period**: October 2026
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- **Judging**: October 2026
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## Challenge Archive
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### 2026 Challenges
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| Month | Challenge Name | Theme | Status |
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|-------|---------------|-------|--------|
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| April | "Bring an Experiment" | Try something new | **Archived** |
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| May | "Bring an Experiment (Round 2!)" | Try something new, crazy, or wild | **Archived** |
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| June | "Show & Tell Extravaganza!" | Community Showcase | **Archived** |
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| July | "Scarf Seams" | Seam Placement & Settings | **Archived** |
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| August | "Gridfinity Extravaganza" | Organizational Efficiency | **Archived** |
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| September | "Practi"FALL" Prints" | Functional Utility & Practicality | **Active** |
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| October | [TBD] | [TBD] | Planning |
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### 2025 Challenges
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| Month | Challenge Name | Theme | Status |
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|-------|---------------|-------|--------|
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| October | "Is it Glass or Clearly Natural?" | Transparency & Clarity | **Archived** |
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| November | "Wait, This Was Printed?" | Surface Finish & Layer Lines | **Archived** |
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| December | "Bring Your Test Models" | Calibration & Test Prints | **Archived** |
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## How Challenges Work
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### Challenge Structure
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Each monthly challenge includes:
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- **Specific theme** focusing on different 3D printing aspects
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- **Clear requirements** for models, materials, and techniques
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- **Multiple award categories** for different achievements
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- **Community judging** during show & tell sessions
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- **Documentation sharing** for learning and improvement
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### Participation
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- **Open to all skill levels** - beginners to experts welcome
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- **Bring your submission** to the monthly meetup
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- **Share your process** - settings, techniques, and lessons learned
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- **Vote on favorites** during community judging
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- **Learn from others** through shared experiences
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### Awards & Recognition
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Each challenge features multiple ways to win:
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- **Technical excellence** awards for best execution
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- **Innovation** awards for creative approaches
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- **People's choice** awards from community voting
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- **Category-specific** awards based on challenge theme
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- **Social media features** for all participants
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## Challenge Development
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### Suggesting Challenges
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Community members can suggest future challenge themes:
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- **Submit ideas** during meetup discussions
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- **Discord voting** on proposed themes
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- **School partnership** input for educational value
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- **Skill development** focus areas
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### Challenge Template
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For organizers developing new challenges, see our **[Challenge Template](./challenges/readme.md)** which provides the standard structure and guidelines for creating engaging monthly competitions.
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---
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**Current Focus**: Join us for the September Practi"FALL" Prints challenge and bring your functional prints to the September 16th meetup!
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