2nd Annual MACF Manufacturing Design Build Competition

Oct 15 – Orange Technical College, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Central Florida, hosted the 2nd Annual Manufacturing Design Build Competition at Custom Metal Designs in Oakland, FL. Student teams from various career and technical programs from across the district participated including teams from Oak Ridge HS, Colonial HS, Apopka HS, East River HS, Orange County Virtual School and Orange Technical College.

After hearing from speakers from OCPS, MACF and Custom Metals, students began work on their specialized robotic arm design build prototype. Student teams were tasked to present their work and methodology in designing a new prototype on the spot to industry judges.

“It was a pleasure to host the 2nd annual Manufacturing Design Challenge. I’ll speak for my engineering team and the judges in saying that everyone was impressed with the quality of the presentations by all of the teams. Our educational partners, Orange Technical College and the other colleges in our region are doing a great job training and developing the next generation of manufacturing employees,” said Ray Aguerrevere, MACF Board President and GM for Custom Metal Designs.

“Working with MACF and what they do to bring together industry and our educational partners is pivotal to our mission of addressing the labor shortage currently facing all manufacturers. I look forward to continuing to work hard with all stakeholders to further the cause of manufacturing in our region and state!”

After presentations, students were given a unique chance to tour the plant facility and ask questions to industry experts about career pathways in the field. See the competition winners below!

Steve Bowman’s Team 1st Place - Team #2; OTC MFC - Azriella Roland, William Acosta, Juan Castro, Jose Gomez
Steve Bowman’s Team 1st Place – Team #2; OTC MFC – Azriella Roland, William Acosta, Juan Castro, Jose Gomez
Lorraine Grice’s 2nd Place - Team #1; Colonial High School - The Whiskernator 2021 - Nickolas Klinkhammer (11th grade), Matthew Silva (11th grade), Zachary Vernon (11th grade), Shannon Worrell (11th grade)
Lorraine Grice’s 2nd Place – Team #1; Colonial High School – The Whiskernator 2021 – Nickolas Klinkhammer (11th grade), Matthew Silva (11th grade), Zachary Vernon (11th grade), Shannon Worrell (11th grade)
Mike MacWithey’s 3rd Place – Team #4; Apopka High School - Adam McAleer (12th grade), Liam Anderson (12th grade), Antonio Ayala (11th grade)
Mike MacWithey’s 3rd Place – Team #4; Apopka High School – Adam McAleer (12th grade), Liam Anderson (12th grade), Antonio Ayala (11th grade)