STUDENTS from universities across Australia have joined forces with top manufacturing companies to participate in the National Robotics Innovation competition, with each educational institution involved having the opportunity to receive a fifty seat site license of Robot Studio valued at A$100,000, provided by ABB at no cost.
Earlier this year, ABB Australia and the Society of Automotive engineers Australasia launched the inaugural competition. The winning entrant will be able to see their proposal become a reality – with their idea being simulated in Robot Studio. Other prizes include ABB simulation software, work experience and programming training courses.
Students from universities across Australia have joined forces with top companies like Ford Australia, RMAX and Modfix and other industry leaders. The objective of the program is for students to develop a proposal for an innovative and cost effective way to manufacture an existing component or improve a manufacturing process through the use of robot based automation.
The competition is aimed at enhancing interaction and encouraging collaboration between industry, students and universities. To support this objective, a number of information sessions have been held for the competition contestants, the first being a combined agenda designed to prepare students for the project ahead. This included a session on Project Risk Management, Plant Safety & OH&S Considerations and Cost Justification and Economic Return.
The most recent information session was a training course held last month in ABB’s robot simulation software, Robot Studio. This sophisticated software allows students to build the proposed solution in a virtual factory, whilst being able to trial alternatives and optimise the layout. A packed session of students attended the full day training course held at Deakin University’s Geelong campus. The session was a great success, with many students commenting on how much they had learned.
The final information session for 2007 will be held later this month at ABB’s Notting Hill facility in collaboration with Maura Fay Workshops, who have generously offered to run a workshop on Presentation Skills, a key in getting the message across for any proposal. We are looking forward to what should be another successful session.
With the first round of judging scheduled for the 30th September, the winner of the competition will be announced on 31st October. If you would like more information on the competition, or would like to find out how you can get involved for next years program, contact ABB on 1800 222 4357 or email robots@au.abb.com.