PTC Announces Innovation Design Contest Winners

By DE Editors

The Product Development Company (PTC; Needham, MA) announced the winners of its Redefining Innovation Product Design Contest 2008, which asked designers to use PTC Pro/ENGINEER 3D parametric CAD/CAM/CAE software to develop innovative, product-changing designs.

Criteria used during the judging process included uniqueness of concept and its approach to unmet customer needs, marketability of product, the ability to manufacture the product, and the ease of generating consumer interest. The top three winners showed a common vision with their submissions, to design or redesign a product that can improve the way people play, live, and work.

The Grand Prize was awarded to Scott Buckner of the U.S., designer of the Easy Oar system, a drop-in rowing rig designed for a canoe or other small craft to allow the oarsman to face forward in the direction of travel.

The Runner Up Award went to Benjamin Mahan of the U.S., designer of the Predator Facial Armor System Technology, a redesigned facial armor system that upgrades the ballistic coverage of current U.S. military helmets that can be used in conjunction with currently fielded helmets. The Second Place Award went to Koert Vanoverbeke of Belgium, designer of the TNI Tellus Smart. Koert's goal was to provide a solution for people who are speech-impaired.

The contest was sponsored by Manufacturing Business Technology. The judging panel was comprised of six global members representing media, industry analyst firms, universities, and PTC/USER (the Independent Voice of PTC Customers Worldwide).

For details, contact PTC.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.