Today we launched another great GrabCAD Challenge with GE. I talked to Lisa Ralph, Open Innovation Leader & Global Strategy at GE, about this Challenge to give you more details on their engineering problem, so you can create the best entry possible. This Challenge, ending March 9, has a prize pool of $10,000. The winners will be announced by June 8, after thorough testing and evaluation.
Lisa Ralph, GE
Why did you launch this Challenge?
In our “Quick Connect” challenge, GE’s Open Innovation Center of Excellence is seeking novel methods to revolutionize the way we assemble a basic part. This is a fairly simple—but lengthy—process that is used repeatedly in the overall system assembly. We are very excited for the GrabCAD Community to look at this process through a new lens and turn our conventional manufacturing methods on its head—because when these new designs are implemented at scale—the impact is unmistakable.
What are you expecting from this Challenge?
We’re looking for an innovative design for a basic part—a brick connection into a collection cavity. Design simplicity that maximizes space requirements and is suitable for mass production. The seal must be reliable (water tight and up to 3 bars) as well as robust (likely that it will survive for at least 10 years). We’re also keen to find designs that incorporate quick, non-permanent connections and one in which the polyurethane brick is executable. Essentially—we’re seeking for a simplistic, effective, and flexible design that will accelerate the overall manufacturing process by making changes to basic parts and high repeat assemblies.
Any recommendations for participants?
Think simple and think fast!
What does Open Innovation mean to GE?
Open Innovation allows us to partner with great minds from around the world on some of our toughest challenges. It’s a unique opportunity to cross pollinate expertise and discover breakthrough advancements in technology, processes and more—and a chance to redefine possibilities and generate real outcomes.
How are you planning to evaluate entries?
Entries will be evaluated by a panel of at least four (4) judges who are GE employees with expertise in industrial components and design. Submissions will be judged based on their ability to meet technical requirements (correct part dimensions, maximizing space requirements, ideally a one-piece cavity, materials and ability to provide a waterproof seal). While many of these technical requirements are non-negotiable, what will truly set an entry apart is its ability to make a quick, reliable, non-permanent connection.
Thank you Lisa for this quick chat and have lots of great entries!
