Eligibility Requirements 

• You must be a registered University of Georgia (UGA) Student

• Teams must be made up of 4 members or fewer

Submission Requirements

Basic Submission Rules

• No cross-submitting (submitting a project from a concurrent CADathon)

• No using design before competition time starts 

What to include in Submission 

• You must include your First Name and Last Name in submission  

• Include a 2-3 minute video including the following:
  
  

• What is your project/team name 

• What tools were used to create the project 

• What is the function/purpose of your project 

• Explain the real-world implementations/effects of this project

 

UGAHacks CADathon Tracks 

 

Best Overall Design

The Best Overall Design track recognizes the strongest CAD-based project created during the event. Projects may include 3D-printed components, mechanical assemblies, engineered models, or other digitally designed physical technology. 

Projects will be judged based on the following criteria: 

Design Quality

• Is the CAD model thoughtfully designed and well-constructed?
• Are the components and dimensions logically arranged?
• Does each feature serve a clear purpose?
• Does the design demonstrate creativity and attention to detail?

Engineering & Functionality

• Does the design function as intended?
• Are moving or interacting components properly designed?
• Are tolerances, clearances, and connections appropriately considered?
• Can the design realistically be manufactured or 3D printed?

Scalability & Practicality

• Does the size and scale of the design make sense?
• Could the design realistically be manufactured at its intended scale?
• If the design is scaled down or up, does its functionality remain reasonable?

Presentation

• Can the team clearly explain the design decisions behind their project?
• Does the final physical build accurately represent the CAD design?

 

Best Solo Design 

The Best Solo Build recognizes the strongest project designed and created by a single participant. Projects should demonstrate both technical skill and thoughtful CAD design. 

Projects will be judged based on the following criteria:

Design Complexity

• Does the project demonstrate advanced CAD skills?
• Does the design include detailed or technically challenging components?
• Does the project demonstrate a strong understanding of modeling techniques?

Design Quality

• Is the design creative, thoughtful, and well-constructed?
• Are components and features intentionally designed?
• Does the final model demonstrate attention to detail?

Engineering

• Does the design demonstrate an understanding of mechanical or structural principles?
• Are dimensions, proportions, connections, and moving components reasonable?

Execution

• How effectively did the participant turn their CAD design into a functional physical build?

• Is the final design cohesive and polished? 

 

Best Accesible Design

The Best Accessible Design track recognizes the CAD project that most effectively incorporates accessibility and inclusive design principles. Projects should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of how their design can improve usability and access for people with different physical abilities. 

Will be judged based on the following criteria: 

Accessibility

• Does the design address a specific accessibility challenge?

• How effectively does the design make a product, space, or system more accessible?

• Does the design consider the needs of users with different physical abilities?

User-Centered Design

• Does the design demonstrate an understanding of the intended user's needs?

• Is the design intuitive and easy to use?

• Are dimensions, controls, and physical interactions designed with the user in mind?

Engineering & Functionality

• Does the design function as intended?

• Are dimensions, proportions, clearances, and moving components appropriately designed?

• Does the CAD model clearly demonstrate how the design would work in practice?

Innovation

• Does the project provide a creative or novel approach to an accessibility challenge?

• Does the design improve upon an existing solution or introduce a new solution?

Presentation

• Can the participant clearly explain the accessibility challenge and how their design addresses it?

• Does the CAD model effectively communicate the proposed solution?

 

Best Autombile Design

The Best Automobile Design recognizes the strongest CAD project centered around automotive design and engineering.

Will be judged based on the following criteria:

Automotive Design

• Does the project demonstrate thoughtful automotive design?

• Are the proportions, components, and overall structure appropriate for the intended vehicle?

• Does the design demonstrate an understanding of automotive principles?

Engineering

• Are the vehicle's components logically designed and positioned?

• Are dimensions, clearances, and mechanical relationships reasonable?

• If applicable, are suspension, steering, drivetrain, or other mechanical systems appropriately modeled?

CAD Quality

• Is the model detailed, accurate, and well-constructed?

• Does the project demonstrate strong CAD modeling ability?

• Are individual components and assemblies thoughtfully designed?

Innovation

• Does the project introduce a creative or unconventional automotive concept?

• Does the design solve a particular problem or improve upon an existing automotive idea?

 

UGAHacks CADathon Side Challenges

Paper Airplane Race:

Participants will design and compete with paper airplanes to see who can achieve the longest flight distance.

• Participants will compete in heats, with the top performers advancing to a final round.

• The participant whose airplane flies the furthest in the final round wins a model race car.

• Airplanes will also be judged on creativity and overall design.

• The participant with the best-designed airplane wins a goody bag.

 

Rocket Bottle Launchers:

Teams will design and build their own rockets using 2-liter bottles, fins, nose cones, and other provided materials. Rockets will be launched using an air-pressure launcher and compete for the longest flight time.

• Teams will have a set amount of time to design and build their rockets.

• Each team will launch their rocket using the provided air-pressure launcher.

• The rocket that stays in the air the longest wins.

• Creativity and overall rocket design will also be considered.

• Participants are encouraged to use basic engineering principles when designing their rockets.

 

Chill Space:

This side event is more laidback and provides space for CADers to unwind and relax. Swing by to socialize, color and draw, and watch the US Grand Prix with fellow participants.