The final year of Conestoga College's three-year co-op program in Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics and Automation is an intensive one, because at its centre is the design and creation of working, comprehensive projects that encapsulate the academic and co-op work experiences of the program's students.
The final program activity each year is a demonstration of these projects to College officials, industry representatives and co-op employers. It is an excellent forum for the students to showcase their skills and prove their readiness for professional employment. These students complete their program of studies at the end of August.
This year's event takes place on Wednesday, August 13 from 1-4 p.m. at the Woodworking Centre of Ontario, located at the College's Doon campus in Kitchener.
Three different automated-system projects will be on display. The first is a system to write and package CDs; the second assembles prefabricated yo-yo parts into a finished product, then packages and seals the product; the third packages film, placing film into a casing, sealing the casing, then boxing and labeling it. In some instances, these projects use an automated conveyor-type production system, in others a rotary-type system. More than 30 students will be involved. They have worked on all aspects of their projects, from the idea phase, through project proposals and costing, feasibility studies, design, installation and assembly, troubleshooting, and complete documentation.
The Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics and Automation program
consists of six semesters of in-college study, plus three semesters of
co-op work experience. Emphasis is on combining theoretical knowledge
with applied skills in automated industrial processes that use electronics,
programmable logic controllers, computers, hydraulics and pneumatics.
CONTACT: Beth Blaney, 519-748-5220, ext. 3420, bblaney@conestogac.on.ca