Even a record-breaking 14 inches of snow couldn’t stop Seaholm’s Robotic Team from winning first place and Robot of the Year competition at the National Robotics Challenge last month.
Seniors Will Olsen, John Plummer, Julie Zimmermann, Nick Ridenour and junior, Steve Burke built their project, the Automated Keychain Work Cell. Plummer and Olsen attended the Challenge to present it.
“We started building the project in the very beginning of the year and continued to work on it every class time,” Zimmerman said. “Sometimes even, early in the morning.”
Involving an elaborate process, the Robotics Team designed their project to carve an “S” on a metal rectangle and drill a hole for a Keychain loop.
The Automated Keychain Work Cell’s robotic arm, picked up a blank metal rectangle and transported it to the CNC -- also known as the computer numerical control machine. There, the CNC engraved the letter “S” and the robotic arm carried the rectangle to be drilled. A hole was made in the top corner and was put on a conveyor belt to the machine operator. Their project used materials from aluminum framing, they also had to buy the CNC and the robotic arm.
“I was surprised of the win because there was a lot of other schools we were up against and so many competitors.” Team Captain, Plummer said.
Their competition nearly ended before it even started, as the team braved a massive blizzard snowstorm to get to the Marion, Ohio event.
Out of a National Competition drawing 500 students from 40 schools across eight states, Seaholm’s win placed the Robotic Team among one of the premier programs in the nation.
Established in 1986, the National Robotics Challenge, formerly known as the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Robotic Technology and Engineering Challenge, has grown to be an elite event in robotics and engineering to take place in the country.
“The look on the students’ faces when we were awarded Robot of the Year made all the hard work and late days worth it,” said Bernie Simms, Seaholm’s Engineering Technology Department Head.
Consisting of twelve contests, each is designed to test the students’ abilities and knowledge within the specific areas of technology, robotics, manufacturing, and automation.
“The ability to compete and win at the national level is a great validation of the Engineering Program at Seaholm,” Simms said. “We’re grateful to Chrysler, the Birmingham Education Foundation, and the Seaholm PTSA for donating funds to make this possible.”
It was a well-deserved win after months of hard work and perfecting their design.
“I was really proud,” Zimmerman said.
Students who are interested in competing in future challenges can enroll in the Automation Robotics course, but must first complete two courses of Engineering Technology first.
