element14  has launched the “Start a Movement” Design Challenge which will grant 20 engineers the opportunity to build a project of their choosing that features a moving component. Challengers will use the provided Analog Devices TMC5272-EVAL kit and accompanying QSH4218 NEMA 17 stepper motor and PSU to bring their projects to life with automated movement.

Designers are encouraged to let their creativity flow when it comes to how they would like to incorporate moving parts within their projects. Example tasks that can be performed include but are not limited to:
•             Movement Control
•             Precise Movement
•             Wearables
•             Personal Portable Devices
•             Optical Systems, Lens Control
•             CCTV, Surveillance, Conference Systems Focus/Zoom and Pan/Tilt Control
•             Patch and Insulin Pumps
•             Pipettes and Liquid Handling
•             Small Printing and Scanning Devices
•             Lab and Office Automation
•             Space-Constrained Stepper Motor Applications
•             Energy efficient movement control

“Movement capabilities are crucial to all pieces of technology in daily life,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “We hope this challenge inspires our members to incorporate more automated, moving parts into their future creations and potentially leads them to design new, cutting-edge innovations.”

Applications are open until 18 October. Once selected, participants will have until 3 December to build their projects. To qualify as completing the challenge, chosen participants must post five blogs or forum posts within the contest site regarding their build process and one project article on the final outcome of their project. Posts that include photos, videos and code samples will be judged more favourably. 

The grand prize winner will receive a KELKART 27.5 Inch Electric Bike, runners-up will receive a Fafrees Electric Bike and other finishers of the challenge will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

To learn more about the “Start a Movement” Design Challenge and to get moving on entering the competition, please visit https://community.element14.com/start-a-movement.