Competition Overview
This is a practical competition, for a team of 2, that will test your logic, design and fault finding skills in a challenging environment. To complete the tasks competitors are expected to apply their theoretical knowledge of fundamental principles, automation, pneumatic, electrical/electronic and PLC technologies. The skills that are tested in the practical competition include:
- Designing, building and testing pneumatic, electro-pneumatic circuits and PLC programmes for sequential and non-sequential tasks; system building and process optimisation.
- mechanically assembling a given set of components to a specification.
- electro-pneumatic circuit simulation.
- adding new functionality and operations to a given application.
- System integration and optimisation.
- General impression and function.
General Instructions
- Maximum working time is 7 hours at regional heats (one-day event) and 11 at the National Final (two-day event).
- At the start of the competition, an allotted time will be allocated for work planning. This time is not part of the working time.
- The competition will consist of tasks that involve designing pneumatic, electro-pneumatic sequences as well as programming a PLC to perform similar tasks; system building, commissioning and optimisation.
- All supplied equipment and materials must be accurately checked by the competitor upon commencing the competition.
- All materials and equipment must be marked out/used in the most economical method.
- Competitors will lose marks for any misplaced, lost or spoiled materials and/or equipment, where this is the result of competitor error.
- Minimum marks will not be awarded for dimensional accuracy or technical perfection where instructions have been disobeyed.
- Competitors are required to bring along their own PLC and associated programming tools. A typical PLC that would be suitable for this competition will need to have 16 digital inputs and 16 digital outputs. Analogue I/O capability is not required. PLCs with relay outputs are also acceptable but these may need to be passed through a convertor which will be provided.
- A maximum of 2 teams of 2 competitors may enter this competition per location/campus, and up to a total of 5 teams of 2 competitors per organisation.