Institution news
The culmination of many months’ work, this year’s finals event is set to take place on 27 September 2024 and will return to The Manufacturing Technology Centre, one of the UK’s most advanced manufacturing facilities.
Taking place annually and celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Apprentice Automation Challenge tasks apprentice engineers to design, manufacture and present a prototype device to automate a common product or process, with apprentices themselves choosing and justifying their choice of product. By participating, apprentices have the chance to develop their abilities on a real-world engineering project, making them well-rounded and capable engineers.
Fittingly for the tenth anniversary, 2024 has seen the most entrants in the Challenge’s history, with apprentices developing a wide range of different products including a mobility aid, smart bin, automatic toothbrush cleaner and many more. With so many teams, both the standard of submitted work and volume of entrants has kept the panel of judges busy throughout the competition’s year, to the delight of the organising committee.
“It’s been great to review all the teams’ work as they have gone through this year’s competition,” said Toby Heagerty, Chief Judge. “The growing number of apprentices taking part reflects the continued importance in giving opportunities for young apprentice engineers to develop and demonstrate their skills and I hope that everyone has enjoyed the chance to compete. Best of luck to all teams with their final preparations and I look forward to meeting my fellow judges and seeing all the prototype products in action.”
The teams taking part are as follows:
- Leonardo: BANG!, Standalone Medical Diagnostic Device
- NiftyLift: Elevate Elite, Self-Measuring Ingredient Device
- Leonardo: EcoLogic, ELIS – Recycling Sorter
- ITP Aero UK: Hucknall Harriers S.P.A.R.C.S
- Leonardo UK: JustUs 7, Smart Bin
- Leonardo UK: Leaf It To Us, Plant Regulation System
- Leonardo UK: RAPID, Hydroline Toothbrush Cleaner
- Ricoh UK Products: Ricoh Pride, Personal Mobility Assistant (PMA)
- Domino Printing Science: The Dominators, Automatic Tea Maker
- THALES: Thales Academy: Automated Fire Suppression System
- BAE Systems Submarines: Trident Tested, Automated Re-Plating Machine
The finals event will give all teams a chance to demonstrate their prototypes to the panel of judges, together with formal presentations that will test their engineering knowledge, decision-making and business plans. The day will conclude with an awards ceremony that will recognise the most outstanding team who will be crowned the overall winners, with separate awards also up for the taking.
The winners will be awarded a prize of £2,000 and join the prestigious TMMX Awards later this year, plus they will be able to exhibit their work at next year's Smart Manufacturing and Engineering Week.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Apprentice Automation Challenge is grateful for the continued support of its partners The Manufacturing Technology Centre and The Manufacturer magazine.