SME announces student DDM design competition

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) called for submissions to the Design for Direct Digital Manufacturing 2008 Competition. This two-day effort will be held in conjunction with the RAPID 2008 Conference & Exposition, May 20-22, 2008 at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort and Convention Center near Orlando.

Both university and high school students are invited to submit computer- aided design (CAD) "inventions" which capitalize on, among other criteria, direct digital manufacturing's (DDM) geometric capabilities and fit within the automotive peripherals or automotive after-market product guideline. Winning inventions or entries will be recognized by awards and other commendations and ultimately manufactured using DDM technology.

Each entry will be judged by a panel of rapid manufacturing academics, professionals, industry leaders and experts who make up the SME Direct Digital Manufacturing Tech Group. This volunteer member interest group operates within the organization's Rapid Technologies & Additive Manufacturing Community and serves to promote greater DDM shop floor usage.

As Carl Dekker, president of rapid manufacturer MET-L-FLO, Inc. and chair ofthe DDM Tech Group explains, "DDM is fast becoming a major part of our nation's key production industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical." (See also: Manufacturing Engineering, March 2008, "Innovations That Could Change the Way You Manufacture")
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