North Central Missouri College is set to host the Missouri State SkillsUSA Robotics Automation Contest on Friday, April 3 at its Savannah campus.
The high-stakes competition will feature two-person teams tasked with designing and implementing an automated robotic work cell. Participants must navigate a simulated industrial challenge by integrating a six-axis industrial robot with complex peripherals, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), motorized components, and industrial sensors, while following detailed wiring schematics.
“Both of our competing teams have worked diligently, and our expectations are very high,” said Rick Sharp, NCMC Industrial Technology Instructor.
Reflecting real-world industrial automation demands, teams are required to document their entire workflow, program the robotic system, and defend their solution before a panel of industry judges. Scoring will be based on:
- Technical Accuracy: Precision in wiring and integration.
- Operational Efficiency: The system’s ability to perform tasks seamlessly.
- Speed & Documentation: Quality of the technical log and time-to-completion.
- Collaboration: Professionalism and teamwork under pressure.
Hosting the statewide event underscores NCMC’s role in technical education. By providing an industry-aligned environment, the college allows students to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the practical needs of the modern workforce.
For more information regarding the competition or NCMC’s Industrial Technology programs, visit ncmissouri.edu.