+1
The main point I would make in favor of separating them is that the two processes could never create the same result. You really are comparing apples to oranges.
Yes. And I think we can all agree that 3D printing is here to stay. 
I would probably be in favor of this, too. I have a 3D printer and do some 3D design, but I wouldn’t enter into the Machine Build arena because those CNC / lathe builds are outstanding and aren’t in the same class as a 3D printed piece.
yep, agreed, 3d prints can’t compete with lathes and milling machines…… yet.
I’m not sure they ever will.
There is something about having an item made by someone’s hands, even if they used a lathe (by hand - not cnc so much) it kinda is engrained part of them in the item. That is lost in a 3d print, to me it all just looks like something a machine has made, the human element is harder to connect with.
Of course, when it comes to being better, as in ‘functioning’ I’m sure future 3d printers will be an amazing thing to own, they are already! and more than capable of competing if not winning. Imagine when you can home print (reasonably price wise) a metal light, or timascus……mokume copper…… well, a computerised version!
It’s been a while since Tofty showed his face around here. He pushed the boundaries of possibilities with a 3d printer.
Thanks a lot for the link, he’s done some awesome stuff.
And I just learned that there are commercially available services that can print metal for a high but viable price.
I wonder if it would make sense to allow 3rd party services with 3D printing…this would lower barrier to entry as well as allow metal flashlights created this way. Metal is quite expensive in this application - but so are machining services or buying a lathe. And possible creations are actually very competitive against lathe, like the tofty light below.
In my opinion outsourcing means you are ‘not building it yourself’. Which is kinda contrary to the whole concept of the OL challenge.
Also that torch above is - “The silver and brass torches are not technically printed, they’re cast using the lost wax method. It’s the wax models that are printed. They are then finished by removing the sprues, polishing and/or plating.” That means molten metal is poured into a 3d printed cast.
Now there’s a can of worms to open………
You could argue someone made the metal you/anyone else used. It’s not like you cast it yourself?
This is kinda the reverse as in it ends up in metal someone else cast - but is it any different than starting with metal someone else cast?
Something to ponder on lol! 
With that kind of thinking all you need is an ‘idea’ and have someone else build it to be able to enter the comp. Yeh nah not in my book.
You know I never knew or saw this guy before, so thanks for linking - amazing stuff in there.
Funny…… I saw this light for sale just the other day, I think on ali, or maybe pintrest?, literally, I almost posted it on here! Either someone stole the design, or he’s selling them!
I even thought about making one out of big nuts 
Nice one for that PP!
Is sending a design down your own printer that much different from sending it down someone else’s?…
To me it’s not. The challenge is in designing and finishing anyway.
Granted, the metal processing techniques used in Tofty’s lights (that is: casting) are significantly more involved than just printing. But due to the cost of wax printers these are quite inaccessible to most people…
Others might think differently but I think it’s not the same. Also it would leave the door open to sending dwgs to a metal CNC fabricator. Expensive, yes but would you be happy to be grouped in with that category? If you have an idea but don’t actually make anything then your only limit is your budget.
Apologies to apg88, sorry, I didn’t mean to derail your thread 
This year’s competition was desperate for contestants. The discussion of that triggered many entries, as PP knows. So why are we scared of adding a 3D printing category? It seems to be fear of the unknown. Let’s get that category going and see how it goes. If there is a issue, the contestant just comes in last place and the rules are updated next year.
PS- if you know of a way to turn an “idea” into a 3D model, then flashlight, for less than the value of any of those prizes, let me know.
Looks like we have a start for the 8th contest organisers 
I’m sure not complaining about the prizes. They are pretty good.
The issue seems to be that the weeks/months worth of planning, drawing, 3D modelling, fixing, repeating seem to be thought of as free and effortless. Then you still need to hire the actual printing in this cheating scenario.