3rd SkyFire DIY Fiber Laser Competition
3rd SkyFire DIY Fiber Laser Competition: Submission Guide
Registration is closed. Registered participants do not need to register again. Prepare your build and submit your final project materials by October 15, 2026. Exact times and the event time zone will be announced separately.
Start here
A practical guide for registered participants
The 3rd SkyFire DIY Fiber Laser Competition is designed for people building, upgrading, documenting, and testing their own fiber laser systems. Use this article as your submission checklist and consult the division guide for the requirements of your registered division.
Registration closed on July 31, 2026. No new registration or re-registration is required for existing entrants. Continue building and documenting your project, then submit your final video and required materials by October 15.
Already registered?
Review the updated competition schedule and prepare your final submission. Registration remains closed.
Timeline
Updated dates for the 2026 competition
Updated September 30, 2026. The dates below replace the earlier competition timetable. Exact times and the event time zone are still to be confirmed.
| Stage | Date (2026) | Key action |
|---|---|---|
| Competition launch (past milestone) | Jan 27 | Competition information released and registration opened at launch. |
| Build and preparation period | Jan 27 - Oct 15 | Design, fabrication, testing, video recording, and documentation. |
| Registration closed (past milestone) | Jul 31 | Registration is closed. Existing entrants do not need to register again. |
| Final submission deadline | Oct 15 | Submit all required competition materials. Final video should be 8 minutes or less. Exact cutoff time and time zone to be announced. |
| Material processing and preliminary review | Oct 20 | Completeness check, formatting review, and preliminary technical review. |
| Judges' formal review and scoring | Oct 25 | The main judging stage. Session times and duration to be confirmed; this is not the start of public voting. |
| Livestream showcase and public voting opens | Oct 27 | Introduce the entries and participants, explain the online review arrangements, and open public voting. This is not the final results announcement. |
| Final results announcement | Oct 30 | Announce the verified final results. |
Voting details: Facebook groups and/or Discord are being considered for the showcase and public voting. The final platform, voting instructions, and voting closing date and time will be announced separately. October 30 is the results date, not an assumed voting deadline. Please refer to the official rules and subsequent confirmed instructions; no new combined-score formula is announced here.
Step 1
Review your division requirements
Use the requirements for the division in which you registered. The descriptions below remain available as a reference; they do not reopen registration.
Starter Division
Best for concept-focused and simplified DIY builds. This is the better path if your project is still early, educational, experimental, or focused on demonstrating a clear DIY idea.
Professional Division
Best for advanced, system-level, and near-commercial builds. This path expects stronger technical evidence, including documentation for components, wiring, mechanical structure, cutting tests, and safety thinking.
Need a reminder of the requirements? Read the division guide: Starter or Professional: Which SkyFire DIY Competition Division Is Right for You?
Step 2
Check your existing registration details
Registration is closed. The registration information already provided helps the competition team identify your entry and understand your build. If any details are incorrect, contact the competition team rather than submitting a new registration.
Check whether your existing entry is an individual or a team entry.
Check your participant name, email address, country, and optional state or province.
Check the laser power level recorded for your system.
For questions about participant kit information or shipping details already supplied, contact the competition team.
No re-registration needed
Registered participants should continue preparing their project materials. The final submission form below is separate from registration.
Step 3
Prepare your final submission materials
Every entrant should plan documentation while building, not at the last minute. Your final submission should make it easy for judges and viewers to understand what you built, how it works, and why it matters.
For all participants
- Final project video, 8 minutes or less.
- 16:9 video format recommended for clean judging and publishing.
- Photo of the participant or team with the DIY machine.
- Clear project introduction, build overview, and machine demonstration.
Extra preparation for Professional Division
- Bill of materials and major component list.
- Electrical layout or wiring documentation.
- Mechanical structure information.
- Cutting test records and multi-material cutting parameters.
Required submitted materials differ by division, so check the official rules and templates before preparing your final files.
Official downloads
Rules PDF and technical templates
The competition page includes the main rules PDF and several technical document templates. Professional Division builders should review these early, because they can shape how you document the build while the machine is still being assembled and tested.
Schedule update: Any earlier dates shown in the downloadable rules PDF are superseded by the updated 2026 schedule above: October 15, 20, 25, 27, and 30. Rules, submission requirements, and judging criteria remain unchanged. Exact times and the event time zone will be announced separately.
Step 4
Submit your final project by Oct 15
After your build, documentation, and video are ready, use the final submission form. This is separate from the registration form. The exact cutoff time and time zone will be announced separately.
Important: Existing entrants do not need to register again. Submit final materials when your project package is ready; registration itself does not count as a final project submission.
Final submission form
Use this form for your completed competition materials before the final submission deadline.
Before you go
Quick checklist for registered participants
- Review the requirements for your registered Starter or Professional Division entry.
- Registration is closed; existing entrants do not need to register again.
- Save the rules PDF and templates before your documentation work begins, and use the updated schedule above for dates.
- Record build footage throughout the preparation period, not only at the end.
- Prepare a final video of 8 minutes or less.
- Submit all final materials by October 15, 2026. Exact time and time zone to be announced.
Share your DIY fiber laser project
The competition is not only about ranking machines. It is also a way for builders to share designs, compare ideas, document real problems, and help more people understand how DIY fiber laser systems are built.
