Nearly 30 battle-ready robots – painstakingly designed, fabricated and tested by Pennsylvania College of Technology students – squared off in the recent "Fall Brawl 2016" robotic design competition in the college's Field House. Sponsored by the Student Wildcats of Robotic Design, the knockout tournament pitted "beetleweight" robots (weighing 1 to 3 pounds) against one another before a campus and community audience. "The event was a resounding success, with enough robots to keep the action going for the whole day," said S.W.O.R.D.'s Timothy R. Thompson, an electronics and computer engineering technology major from Stephens City, Virginia. "The students are currently improving their robots, and the next event will be even more 'destructive.' As the event gains recognition, more and more outside people will be in attendance to test our members' designs." Winners in the 3-pound category were Don Doerfler, "Circuit Breaker," first; Nate Franklin, "Thunder Child," second; and William Hayden, "Wildcat1," third. Placing in the 1-pound category were Franklin, "Slim Pickens," first; Stanley Bohenek, "Discharge," second; and David Probst, "Ready or Not," third. Organizers said the event will definitely become an annual one, with another open competition to be scheduled in the spring.
– Photos by Tia G. La, student photographer
"Potbot" won the Cool Cone among the day's favorite designs.
In the heat of competition, sparks fly ...
... and 'bots flip.
Last-minute tweaks and tryouts
Plastics and polymer engineering technology students Mackenzie C. Force, of Muncy, and William N. Auman, of Turbotville, with their "Stormageddon" entry – which was awarded the Danger Cone.
Damon K. Shoemaker (right), an electronics and computer engineering technology major from Easton, shows off "Kilowatt."
Putting their creations into the crucible of competition
Widespread student ingenuity on display
The Fall Brawl, destined to become a yearly attraction, drew about 80 attendees.
S.W.O.R.D.'s William C. Hayden (left), of Greensburg, and Jhsia N. Miles, of Clairton, represent the college's engineering design technology major.
There's a lot of serious work before the fun begins!
