RAM3D 2025 Student Design Contest

RAM3D 2025 Student Design Contest:

WATER FEATURE

Jump to… Contest Eligibility — Design Specifications — Judging Criteria — Feedback & Revision — Terms & Conditions — Contest Schedule — ENTER THE CONTEST

PRIZES

Winning Design – $1500 NZD … plus the winning design to be 3D printed in metal by RAM3D

2nd Place Design – $750 NZD3rd Place Design – $250 NZD

CONTEST ELIGIBILITY

WHO may enter:

  • Any student or team of students, who are enrolled in a New Zealand university, polytechnic, institute of technology (or other similar tertiary education provider in New Zealand) 1 at the time of entry into the contest (occurring any time during the contest entry period of 15 June 2025 to 30 November 2025).

WHAT to enter:

  • Create and submit a DfAM-optimised (Design for [Metal] Additive Manufacturing) CAD model of components for a functional water feature, intended for 3D printing in metal by RAM3D.

HOW to enter:

  • Submit your entry details and DfAM-optimised CAD model via email to RAM3D (click here to ENTER THE CONTEST)
    • Each student may submit one (1) contest entry (including one (1) subsequent revision of that entry).
    • A student may additionally – or, instead of the above – contribute to one (1) contest entry (including one (1) subsequent revision of that entry) as part of a team (2 or more students).
      • Therefore: Any student may enter up to once as an individual, and up to once as part of a team. 2

WHEN to enter:

  • Contest entry AND subsequent revision (limited to: up to one (1) revised entry per individual, and up to one (1) revised entry per team) MUST be submitted between 15 June 2025 and 30 November 2025.

DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

For a metal 3D printed water feature intended for functional indoor display at promotional events and RAM3D premises…

  • Dimensions: The CAD components of the design MUST in total fit within 240mm x 240mm x 300mm for printing.
  • Water Pump: The design MUST be able to functionally use a small standard / basic water pump (click here for example).
  • Materials: The design MUST be appropriate for 3D printing in any one of the following materials (which must be specified by you the designer): Titanium 64; Stainless Steel 15-5PH; Stainless Steel 316L; Inconel 718.
  • DfAM: To score well, your design should be DfAM-Optimised (Designed for [Metal] Additive Manufacturing).
  • The RAM3D logo (logo v1; logo v2) can be used and incorporated into the design.
  • Prohibited: Per RAM3D’s discretion… No questionable, objectionable, or offensive design components. No other branding, brand names, logos, copyrighted or trademarked characters / designs. Use common sense.
  • CAD File Type:
Preferred File TypesAlso AcceptedLeast Preferred
.STPSLDPRT.STL
.STEPIPTThese files are quite faceted
.X_TF3Dwhich will show in the print.

JUDGING CRITERIA

Each entry will be assessed with a scoring rubric to guide shortlisting and determination of contest finalists. The judging / scoring categories and criteria will include:

  • Fit for Purpose / Feasibility:
    • The design: includes all necessary components of a functional water feature; is able to be 3D printed in metal by RAM3D; and should be fairly easy to set up / display at a trade show.

  • DfAM: Design optimised for Metal Additive Manufacturing:
    • The design: minimises excess or extraneous material; utilises organic shapes and minimises sudden changes in mass; considers the build direction and requirements for support on part surfaces; allows for post-processing (including machining tolerances or welding, if required).

  • Engaging Design:
    • The design generates attention / interest from viewers, through some combination of: visual appeal (with consideration of viewing angles, viewing distance, etc); innovative engineering (eg. water flow / water effects; unique use of material(s); etc); and/or other design aspects.

People’s Choice (Online): Of the shortlisted finalist designs, the winner of the People’s Choice prize will be determined by the total unique comments citing a particular design, across RAM3D’s social media accounts.

FEEDBACK & REVISION

  • RAM3D intends to provide, within 4 weeks of an entry’s submission date (ONLY if submitted by 31 October 2025), one (1) email of basic feedback, specific to the entry, for improvement consideration in scoring categories.
  • Any time before the end of the contest (30 November 2025), an entrant (i.e. an individual, or a team) may submit one (1) revision of their original entry file(s). The revision file(s) will be considered the final design from an entrant (individual, or team), for judging and determining finalists and winners.
    • If no revision, the original file(s) will be considered the final design from an entrant (individual, or team).
    • Please Note: RAM3D will not provide feedback on a revision.

ADDITIONAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please ensure you have read all other items on this page.

  • Any CAD file(s) submitted, when and howsoever adjusted, modified, or otherwise by RAM3D, as required for 3D printing, post-processing, or otherwise by RAM3D, then becomes the Intellectual Property (IP) of RAM3D.
  • Any parts of any contest entry / design that RAM3D physically produces (i.e. by 3D printing or otherwise), become RAM3D property, for use, display, promotion or other purposes, at RAM3D’s discretion.
    • An entrant (individual, or team) will not own, nor will gain ownership, of any part(s) produced (i.e. by 3D printing or otherwise) by RAM3D, unless by an agreement arranged between RAM3D and the entrant.
  • The stated prize values, are the total to be awarded (i.e. for the design, NOT per person(s) involved in the design).

By submitting an entry, the entrant (individual, or team) thereby agrees to the terms and conditions of this contest.

CONTEST SCHEDULE

Subject to change at RAM3D’s discretion:

  • Contest Entry Period: ………………… 15 JUN 2025 – 30 NOV 2025
  • Shortlisting: ……………………………………… DEC 2025
  • Announce Winner, 2nd, 3rd: …………. MAR 2026
  • Prizes Awarded: ……………………………… TBC 2026

CONTEST ENTRY

To enter, please email info@RAM3D.co.nz with the following details:

1. First & Last Name (include names of ALL team members)
2. University / Institution Name
3. Professor Name (if applicable)
4. Specify ONE material: Titanium 64; Stainless Steel 15-5PH; Stainless Steel 316L; Inconel 718
5. (Optional) Brief sentence about your design.
6. Attach your DfAM-Optimised CAD Model / File(s) – please ensure .stp / .step / .x_t file type

Please ensure you have read all other items on this page.

Footnotes:
  1. e.g. Ara Institute of Canterbury, Auckland University of Technology, Eastern Institute of Technology, Lincoln University, Manukau Institute of Technology, Massey University, Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, NorthTec, Open Polytechnic of New Zealand, Otago Polytechnic, Southern Institute of Technology, Tai Poutini Polytechnic, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Unitec Institute of Technology, Universal College of Learning, University of Auckland, University of Canterbury, University of Otago, University of Waikato, Victoria University, Waikato Institute of Technology, Wellington Institute of Technology, Western Institute of Technology, Whitireia New Zealand ↩︎
  2. Any 2nd entry by a sole individual will be disqualified. Any student included in more than 1 team entry may disqualify any team entry submitted after that student’s 1st team contribution / entry. ↩︎

RAM3D 2025 Student Design Contest: WATER FEATURE

Jump to… Contest Eligibility — Design Specifications — Judging Criteria — Feedback & Revision — Terms & Conditions — Contest Schedule — ENTER THE CONTEST