Interview with Simone und Chris Völcker

A Decade of the 3D Pioneers Challenge: Anniversary with Special Highlights

What inspired you to launch this competition?

Simone Völcker: Our professional roots lie in architecture and industrial design. Given this background, we've always been passionate about new technologies. We had a pivotal experience in the 1990s during an internship at a Swabian automobile manufacturer. There, a housing emerged from a resin bath as if by magic. It was magical and demonstrated the completely new possibilities offered by 3D printing. Since then, we've been intensively involved with pioneering technologies and are passionate about presenting their potential and the people behind them.

Christoph Völcker: We started by giving the pioneers behind these technologies a platform – whether students, startups, research institutions, or companies – and want to demonstrate how innovations are being driven toward responsible production. The 3DPC has now evolved into an international platform where we bring pioneers together with industry and politics. This contributes to further improving the conditions for implementing innovative projects. The annual Trend Radar has grown with the exhibition and attracts visitors to rapid.tech 3D.

How did rapid.tech 3D in Erfurt become the final venue for the 3DPC?

Simone Völcker: The Erfurt Trade Fair Center already had an established trade event on 3D printing. We came into contact through management, and we have been hosting the 3DPC final here since 2015. Erfurt has grown dear to our hearts over the past ten years, thanks to the excellent collaboration with the rapid.tech 3D team and the large presence we have at the event. Our network also senses and appreciates the professional and friendly atmosphere. Not to mention the beautiful old town.

Who are the most important partners for the competition?

Christoph Völcker: Over the entire decade, numerous players from established industry, the design sector, and the 3D printing scene have supported the competition. We would like to express our sincere thanks for this. This year, we are particularly pleased with the support of our premium partners. Materialise has sponsored the winner's trophy since 2020 and will also produce the anniversary trophy. Special thanks also go to Daimler Truck, FKM, HP, Siemens, Stratasys, Würth, the German Design Council, and, last but not least, Messe Erfurt. Over the decade, partners like Autodesk have also been essential to positioning the competition. We maintain a close network of friends, which also grew out of the 3DPC jury. We continue to develop the platform in close collaboration with these stakeholders.

Which projects from the decade have particularly impressed you?

Simone Völcker: Actually, all of them. Every year, we were continually amazed by the projects submitted for the various themes of the competition. A scientific highlight was the 3D-printed heart created by a team from Israel. We were also very impressed by the Gravity Jetsuit, the rocket backpack from Great Britain that allows you to fly. This also applies to the 3D-printed bridge from the Netherlands. It clearly shows how an idea became a sustainable product. The technology developed for the project is now used, for example, for metal printing in the automotive and construction industries.

Christoph Völcker: What's also impressive in this context is the shift in dimensions. While in the early years, it was mostly small prototypes, the projects have now shifted to larger objects, including entire houses. We are also particularly pleased with the numerous winners and finalists who were able to use the competition as a springboard for spin-offs. These are goosebump-inducing moments, and that's what drives us.

This year, the competition format is different than before. What have you changed and why?

Christoph Völcker: For our tenth anniversary, we don't want to name the "Pioneer of the Year," but rather the "Pioneer of the Decade." Therefore, this year, only the more than 400 previous winners and finalists of the 3DPC were allowed to apply with their current projects. The jury will also consider their careers, the story of their original submission, the impact they are currently making on 3D printing and the industry, and the impetus they are providing for the future. Incidentally, the submitted entries will be presented to all jury members of the past decade for the first time.

How was the response to the special call for entries?

Christoph Völcker: The response was once again overwhelming – worldwide. We are delighted that the 3DPC community is participating again in this milestone edition. This shows once again that the competition has become so established that it's on the calendar for many participants. We can see from the entries that 3D printing is no longer in its infancy and is finding its way into the field. We are very excited to see which finalists the jury will select.

Simone Völcker: With the nomination of the previous finalists, the standard of the call for entries was already very high. To be honest, we were also afraid that the response might not be as great. But fortunately, we were proven wrong. Of course, we are sorry for potential newcomers that they cannot be considered this year. But we look forward to welcoming them back next year – and this year as visitors to rapid.tech 3D.

In addition to the "Pioneer of the Decade" award, you're working on another highlight. What can you reveal about that?

Simone Völcker: With its tenth anniversary, the time is right to capture the groundbreaking innovations of the past decade in a book. Industry leaders from the platform's network provide their perspectives to guide the chapters, which are illustrated by the competition categories and selected project examples. The book summarizes the key movements and milestones of the decade and outlines an outlook for the coming years – in keeping with the 3DPC motto "pushing boundaries." The "Pioneer of the Decade" will have the opportunity to be included in the book with an exclusive keynote speech. It will be published by avedition and is scheduled to be launched at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October.