A team of Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics and Automation students placed first at Conestoga’s Tech Showcase event on August 15.
A team of Mechanical Engineering Technology - Robotics and Automation students placed first at Conestoga’s Tech Showcase event on August 15 with an automated pill sorting, packaging and labelling system.
Hosted at the Cambridge - Fountain Street campus, the biannual event features best-of-program final-year projects from the School of Engineering & Technology and School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology. Projects are judged by a panel of industry representatives based on innovation, creativity, skill and quality.
Lisa Baillieul-Fine, Christian Barry, Joel Drake, Kohl Grevenstein, Adrian Hudson, Josiah Klynstra, Ryan Mcsheffery, Tyler Mihkelson, Jonathan Ramlall, Guilherme Santos and David Vuong developed an automated pill sorting, packaging and labelling system. Toggle Bit Automation assists pharmacists with organizing patient pill requirements into a seven-blister pack. The pack has individual pull tabs to open daily blisters and a label with required patient information. The fully automated system incorporates robots, controllers, vision systems and handling, reducing the risk of manual pill sorting and human contact contamination.
With their top honour, the team will be presented with Conestoga’s Mastercraft Award at convocation this November. Established in 1980 by former Conestoga president Kenneth E. Hunter, the award recognizes excellence in program-related skills and includes a Coat of Arms and a monetary prize.
Other projects presented at Tech Showcase included a robot that passes hockey pucks by Bachelor of Engineering - Electronic Systems Engineering students, a cheese packaging solution for a local dairy farmer by Packaging Engineering Technician students, and a vehicle elevator system solution for a parking garage by Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Systems Engineering students.
Conestoga’s School of Engineering & Technology offers a comprehensive suite of programs with a wide range of credentials in areas that include architecture, civil, construction, mechanical and electronics. Programs feature project-based learning, co-op work experience and applied research opportunities to prepare graduates for success in their chosen fields. Conestoga is the only college in Ontario to offer fully accredited engineering degrees.
Conestoga’s School of Applied Computer Science & Information Technology is based at the college’s Waterloo campus, with access to one of the fastest-growing technology sectors in North America. Leading-edge programs offer a 21st-century education that prepares graduates for exciting careers in the innovative world of information and communications technology. With a strong connection to local industry, project-based and work-integrated learning enables students to solve real-world problems and engage in new technologies that empower a professional journey in a rapidly growing sector.