Description of Challenge: NASA is seeking to challenge the GrabCAD community by sponsoring an open competition where participants utilize the new additive manufacturing capability on the International Space Station (ISS). The competition will be to design a complimentary Handrail Clamp Assembly (HCA) which is currently utilized by astronauts to provide rigid mounting locations required in a microgravity environment for normal daily operations. The complementary HCA design will be referred to as the CHAMP (Clamp for Handrail with Additively Manufactured Parts). The design chosen as the winner will be printed on the ISS and used in a series of functional tests by astronauts. The printed part will then return to earth to be analyzed to further our understanding of the effects of microgravity on the fused deposition method of manufacturing.
Sponsoring Organization: NASA
Awards Available: $2000
Challenge Launch Date: 1/20/15
Challenge Close Date: Submission accepted until February 16, 2015. Winners will be announced on March 16, 2015.
For More Information: www.nasa.gov/3Dprinting/ and www.grabcad.com/challenges/nasa-handrail-clamp-assembly-challenge