Pasta maker Barilla has launched a competition called “Print Eat” seeking designs for a 3D printable new pasta shape. The competition is open to designers from around the world who are asked to create a 3D model of a new pasta shape which can be 3D printed out as a prototype. The company will then use this prototype to mass produce the winning design as their new pasta shape. The design must be something that traditional manufacturing techniques would not have been able to obtain before the advent of 3D printing manufacturing.
Judges will choose the winning designs based on innovation, presentation, technical skills, and creativity. The three winning entries will receive a cash prize of €800 each, and the top entry will have its pasta design used by Barilla.
Back in January, the Parma-based food giant announced it was working with TNO, a Dutch company specializing in applied scientific research, on a project that would allow for the rapid production of custom-designed pasta shapes using 3D printers. How? By inserting cartridges of dough into a 3D printer, which will then print out the desired pasta shape. The cutting-edge technology of 3D printing is already being applied to manufacturing and biotech.
The contest runs until October 20. Want to give it a try? Click .
