CONTEST RULES AND FAQ’S

COMPETITION OVERVIEW

The theme of the 2019-2020 Zinc Challenge is to design and develop a Wearable Electronic device.  Portable electronics have long been used for entertainment, such as for listening to music on the go, but have more important uses as mobility aids, heath sensors, activity monitors, and security alerts. Electronics can be passive sensors to active computers that receive information and provide guidance to the wearer. Wearable electronics can be worn directly on the body, or incorporated into clothing, hats, eyewear, jewelry, or other accessory. Ultra thin wall zinc die castings are ideal for portable product applications.

The challenge is to design a stylish yet functional wearable electronic device that enhances or extends a person’s functional ability.  The main component of the product design should demonstrate the advantages of zinc alloys and the zinc die casting process. Furthermore, both the material and method of manufacture for your unique design need to be justified. Your presentation should convey an understanding of:

• Appropriate selection of a zinc die casting alloy
• Design suitable for high pressure die casting
• Selection of suitable surface finish
• Compatibility with other materials

ELIGIBILITY 

This competition is open to all undergraduate students enrolled at an engineering or design college or university in North America in the current academic year.

NUMBER OF ENTRIES

Any individual or group involved in producing an entry may submit any number of designs and must fill out an entry form for each design. The design must be endorsed by a faculty member at the design college or university.

Single applicants: fill in the information requested.

Group applicants: designate one representative as the applicant, and place this person’s name and contact information in the appropriate sections. The remaining group members must have been listed on the zinc questionnaire and the on the back of the entry form.

Limit one entry per entry form.

1. Complete the electronic entry form.
2. Submit both the design and questionnaire by April 15, 2020 to: Zincchallenge@zinc.org.

DESIGN RULES

Submit PDF only files that clearly represent the design idea, concept description and relevant text.

The information must be organized on three (3) pages so that a complete concept with development can be understood. The viewer is not to be required to make any assumptions or intentions not clearly shown in the file. The first page should show the design development for the idea, the second page should detail the reasons why zinc combined with high pressure die casting is appropriate for the manufacture and use of the part, and the final page should show the part isolated and in use for the intended application.

Written text should be minimal, but is essential. The entry should contain description and documentation, and a statement of the problem solved and reasons why the entrant feels the solution is effective. The text should also highlight unique features that may be unclear unless identified.

AWARDS

There will be three awards of $3000.00 each with the money split between the student or team ($2000.00) and the faculty advisor ($1000.00).

The awards will acknowledge each designer’s name in all publicity.

JUDGING CRITERIA

The criteria for judging the competition will be based on the score and completeness of the quiz portion and the appropriateness of the solution to the design problem; including but not limited to: quality, originality, thoroughness and the development potential.

It is imperative that the information on the boards must convey the complete concept and not require the viewer to make any assumptions or intentions of the design not clearly shown on the boards.

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

The final 3 winning entries will be announced at the annual IZA zinc die casting conference, and posted on the Interzinc website.

Entrance into this competition constitutes permission to post names and submitted designs by Interzinc for promotional purposes without further consent of the individuals involved.

JURORS

Final selections for awards will be chosen by Interzinc members and outside experts.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Any applicant or group who wishes to protect his/her work by obtaining copyrights, design rights, patents and/or any other intellectual property right must do so at his/her own expense. By entering the competition, the applicant agrees that Interzinc may use the submitted design for promotional purposes without restrictions or further compensation.