Lean, mean fighting machines show mettle in robotic arena

Published 03.29.2021

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Ralston, with his first-place trophyTwo 3D-printed robots battle it out for 2 minutes.McCray gets his robot ready for its next fight.Students in Penn College's School of Engineering Technologies claimed the top spots in Saturday's Plastics Ant-Weight Competition, sponsored by the Student Wildcats of Robotic Design.

Placing first was Jack P. Ralston, of Bloomsburg, who said, "I feel that the club gives us a way to apply and expand upon what we learn in class."



Other high finishers were Wesley S. McCray, of Corry, second; and Kyle D. Carter, of Levittown, third. Ralston and McCray are engineering design technology majors; Carter is enrolled in electronics and computer engineering technology: robotics and automation emphasis.

Another engineering design technology student – Preston J. Evey, of Lamar – took home "Most Destroyed" honors.

Craig A. Miller, instructor and department head of engineering and industrial design technology, said all of the robots entered into the COVID-safe event had to be constructed of parts that were entirely 3D-printed.

"'Ant weight' refers to the weight of the robots in the competition," he explained. "'Ant-weight' robots cannot weigh any more than 1 pound in order to be legal entries into the class."

Photos provided