Product category:
Machine Building Components
News Release from: Festo
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 26 April 2005
UK team prepares to take on the world
In preparation for the WorldSkills Competition in Helsinki next month, the UK's representatives in the mechatronics field have just completed the final phase of an intensive training programme.
In preparation for the WorldSkills Competition in Helsinki next month, the UK's representatives in the mechatronics field have just completed the final phase of an intensive training programme at the Festo Didactic centre in Northampton This included successive timed trials for assembling the type of PLC-controlled processing stations used on automated production lines
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 5 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The entrants achieved a remarkable 60% reduction in system build time, standing them in very good stead for the competition itself.
James Della Cioppa and Matt Goodwin were selected as members of the UK team for the 2005 WorldSkills Competition by the independent organisation UK Skills, on 22nd March.
They are both employed by the automotive component manufacturer Federal Mogul Friction Products in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, and have recently completed mechatronics apprenticeships with the company.
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The mechatronics element of the WorldSkills Competition involves competitors assembling and programming PLC-controlled distribution, testing and processing stations that are representative of typical parts used in automated manufacturing systems.
The distribution station employs pneumatic and electropneumatic technology, the testing station introduces sensing components, and the processing station is based entirely on electrical technology.
Between them, these stations facilitate a rigorous and wide-ranging test of mechatronics expertise, which the organisers make highly competitive by including a "time to completion" factor.
The competition also includes a "mystery" station, which is only introduced to entrants at the last minute.
Cioppa and Goodwin have used equipment loaned by Festo to help hone their skills with pneumatic and electropneumatic technology.
During the first week of April, they also participated in a course at the Festo Didactic centre in Northampton, the second that they have attended, to thoroughly familiarise themselves with the electrical drive technology used on the processing station.
According to Graham Spencer, an instructor with the Festo Didactic team: "James and Matt found this highly productive, since we helped them resolve a programming issue with a rotary axis involving incremental motion".
"They also reduced the processing station build time by some 60% simply by rehearsing the procedure, which we very much hope will give them a competitive edge in Helsinki".
The 2005 WorldSkills Competition will be held in Helsinki, from 26th to 29th May.
All equipment for the mechatronic part of the competition, which this year involves the provision of four stations for each of 28 participating teams, is being supplied by Festo Germany.
The company strongly believes in promoting training and skill acquisition to help young people secure career paths in technology, and has actively supported the mechatronics event since it became part of the WorldSkills Competition in 1991. Request free introductory details about products from Festo ...
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