Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Returns to Pittsburgh - April 7-8 With RI/SME's 15th Annual Student Robotic Engineering Challenge

    DEARBORN, Mich., April 3 Robotic mice with CDs for wheels,
simulated lunar landscapes and Sumo robots will crawl, flip, and traverse as
students from thirteen states compete in the RI/SME Student Robotic
Engineering Challenge.  Sponsored by Robotics International of the Society of
Manufacturing Engineers (RI/SME), the popular Olympic-style competition is
coming to Robert Morris College, Moon Township, Pa., April 7-8.
    More than 600 students on 307 teams representing 64 schools from 13 states
will include 11 Pennsylvania-area schools: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh,
Blackhawk Technical College, Chartiers-Houston Jr./Sr. High School, Fox Chapel
Area High School, Hampton Middle School, Millersville University, Moon Area
Middle School, Robert Morris College, Schenley High School, Sharon High
School, and Shikellamy High School.
    In addition to calling on their math and science knowledge and using
hands-on skills, the students learn about teamwork, time management, trouble-
shooting and meeting planning.  The competitions include:
    *  Block Scramble:  Determine the sequence to transfer randomly stacked
blocks from one spindle to another.
    *  Flexible Manufacturing:  Build a work cell to perform a designated task
and a change order for a given product.
    *  Journey Robot (Remote-controlled & Self-controlled): Design,
manufacture and operate a robot that will navigate through and over a series
of obstacles.
    *  Lunar Object Search (SAMMIE):  Design, build and operate a remote-
controlled vehicle that will traverse a simulated lunar environment in search
of a magnetic object.
    *  Manufacturing Work Cell:  Design, build and operate a robotic system
that performs one or more manufacturing processes to produce a product.
    *  Pick and Place Programming (Computer-Assisted & Teach Pendant):
Program a robot to pick up designated objects and place them in a specific
location and order.
    *  Product Design/Manufacturing:  Design, build and demonstrate a
motorized soccer ball kicker.  Discuss the manufacturing system design and the
marketing approach.
    *  Robot Construction:  Design, build and demonstrate a robot that
performs any type of task(s).
    *  Robot Maze:  Design and build or assemble a "mouse" that successfully
navigates a maze.
    *  Robot Problem Solving (Rapid Application Development):  Design and
build a solution to a problem that occurs in a manufacturing plant.
    *  Robot Simulation:  Program a robot in a virtual reality environment to
perform various work cell activities.
    *  Sumo Robot (lightweight and heavyweight):  Build a Sumo robot that
forces another Sumo robot outside of an eight-foot circle.
    *  Top of the Hill:  Design, build and operate a remote controlled device
that can maneuver through an obstacle course to retrieve and return objects to
a specific location.
    *  Up and Down the Staircase:  Design, build and demonstrate a device that
climbs up and down three-stair risers.

    Elimination rounds for select contests are scheduled for Saturday,
April 7, and finals take place on Sunday, April 8.
    Sponsors include Advanced Design, Inc., Amatrol, Denford, Fluid Power's
Education Foundation, intelitek, Robert Morris College and think3.
    For additional details about the RI/SME Student Robotic Engineering
Challenge 2001, visit the SME Homepage at http://www.sme.org/robotcontest .