For Immediate Release: June 11, 2015
MTConnect Student Challenge Seeks Submissions for Ideas, Applications to Advance Digital Manufacturing
Community College and University Students Encouraged to Apply; Cash Prizes Total $33,000
McLean, Va. … The submission period opened today for the
MTConnect Student Challenge, marking the official start of the
competition for student ideas and applications utilizing MTConnect. The
idea creation competition is open for submissions through September 18,
2015, while the application competition is accepting submissions through
January 31, 2016.
In addition to cash prizes for winning
submissions, the competition offers many benefits for participating
students. It is ideal as a thesis, internship, or capstone project, and
students are also provided with the opportunity to network with
companies as a means to develop their professional contacts. The
competition is open to enrolled college students, and those studying IT,
software, mechanical, or electrical engineering are especially
encouraged to apply.
MTConnect is an open source, XML- and
HTTP-based communications standard that helps foster improved
connectivity between manufacturing equipment and devices, allowing for
data collection and monitoring. It is a key enabler for allowing
manufacturers to take advantage of digital manufacturing to optimize
processes and functions on the shop floor. The Student Challenge stems
from a prior successful competition that solicited ideas and
applications from industry professionals and the general public.
“Manufacturers in all industries are looking to leverage the
opportunities offered by big data and the Industrial Internet of
Things,” said Douglas K. Woods, President of the MTConnect Institute and
President of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology. “The
MTConnect Student Challenge is an ideal competition to bring forth
student-led innovation for real-world manufacturing solutions. We feel
that students have the kind of creative thinking and ideas that are
critical to advancing our industry, and we look forward to finding the
next visionaries who can generate new approaches to digital
manufacturing.”
The MTConnect Student Challenge encompasses two competitions: Idea Creation and Application Development.
MTConnect Student Challenge – Idea Creation
For the Idea Creation competition, students will be required to
interview manufacturers to identify their challenges; describe potential
solutions to that challenge; and create a conceptual mockup for a
solution. The prizes for this competition are $5,000 for first place,
$2,500 for second place, and three $1,000 prizes for runners up. The
Submission period opens on June 11, 2015, and closes on September 18,
2015. Winners will be announced October 15, 2015.
Full rules and submission details are available at:
www.challenge.gov/challenge/mtconnectstudentideas MTConnect Student Challenge – Application Development
For the Application development competition, students will be
required: to develop an application that demonstrates innovation and the
use of manufacturing intelligence breakthroughs. Submissions will be
rated based on their potential to create achievable and measurable
benefits to manufacturing operations – improving efficiencies,
minimizing waste, reducing costs, etc. The prizes for this competition
are $10,000 for first place, $7,500 for second place, and $5,000 for
third place. The submission period is June 11, 2015, through January 31,
2016. Winners will be selected and announced on April 20, 2016, at the
[MC]2 Conference in Dallas, TX.
Full rules and submission details are available at:
www.challenge.gov/challenge/mtconnectstudentapps
The MTConnect Student Challenge is sponsored by the Office of the
Secretary of Defense (OSD) Defense-wide Manufacturing Science and
Technology (DMS&T) and executed by AMT – The Association For
Manufacturing Technology, the U.S. Army Benét Labs, the National Center
for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), and the MTConnect
Institute, in partnership with SME and the National Tooling and
Machining Association.
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MTConnect is an open, royalty-free standard that fosters
greater interoperability between devices and software applications. By
establishing an open and extensible channel of communication between
devices, equipment, and systems, MTConnect enables applications aimed at
providing more efficient operations, improved production optimization,
and increased productivity.
The MTConnect Institute is a
not-for-profit 501(c)(6) organization established to further the
development and adoption of the MTConnect standard and is a subsidiary
of AMT—The Association For Manufacturing Technology. The Technical
Advisory Group (TAG) is the avenue for input from industry via working
groups and quarterly meetings. The Technical Steering Committee authors
the MTConnect standard. The Institute’s activities are overseen by a
Board of Trustees. Membership in the MTConnect Institute is free.
www.mtconnect.org
About AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology
AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology represents and
promotes U.S.-based manufacturing technology and its members—those who
design, build, sell, and service the continuously evolving technology
that lies at the heart of manufacturing. Founded in 1902 and based in
Virginia, the association specializes in providing targeted business
assistance, extensive global support, and business intelligence systems
and analysis. AMT is the voice that communicates the importance of
policies and programs that encourage research and innovation, and the
development of educational initiatives to create tomorrow’s Smartforce.
AMT owns and manages IMTS — The International Manufacturing Technology
Show, which is the premier manufacturing technology event in North
America. www.AMTonline.org
About Benét Labs
Benét Labs is a Department of the Army Center of Excellence supporting
the management and execution of life cycle research, development,
engineering, design, producibility, and engineering standardization
programs for large caliber armaments, mortars and direct fire systems. A
full complement of modern laboratory equipment, along with a highly
trained staff of scientist, engineers, and technicians, enables Benét to
be a world leader in innovative technology and applications.
About [MC]2 Conference
The [MC]2 Conference is a three-day conference designed for end users,
equipment and device suppliers, software developers, distributors,
integrators, students, and professors interested in the advancement of
data-driven manufacturing. The conference, April 19-21, 2016, in Dallas,
Texas, will be packed with timely insights, strategic views, and
actionable items. For more information about the [MC]2 Conference, visit
MC2Conference.com.
About NCDMM
NCDMM
delivers optimized manufacturing solutions that enhance the quality,
affordability, maintainability, and rapid deployment of existing and
yet-to-be developed defense systems. This is accomplished through
collaboration with government, industry, and academic organizations to
promote the implementation of best practices to key stakeholders through
the development and delivery of disciplined training, advanced
technologies, and methodologies. NCDMM also manages the national
accelerator for additive manufacturing (AM) and 3DP printing (3DP),
America Makes—the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute.
For additional information, visit NCDMM at ncdmm.org.
About Office of the Secretary of Defense
The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) is the principal staff
element of the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of policy
development, planning, resource management, fiscal, and program
evaluation responsibilities. OSD includes the immediate offices of the
Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretaries of Defense,
Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Assistant Secretaries of
Defense, General Counsel, Director of Operational Test and Evaluation,
Assistants to the Secretary of Defense, Director of Administration and
Management, and such other staff offices as the Secretary establishes to
assist in carrying out assigned responsibilities.
