ICAMS takes first place at SEC Machining Competition
Published: Nov 20, 2024 1:30 PM
By Carla Nelson
Auburn University’s Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems (ICAMS) recently clinched first place in the 3rd Annual Project MFG SEC Machining Competition, held at Mississippi State University.
The team, composed of research engineers and graduate students David Neff and Josh Whiting, and senior industrial and systems engineering student Johnathan Deery, demonstrated exceptional skill and adaptability during the rigorous manufacturing challenges.
The competition tasked participants with manufacturing a functional gearbox under tight time constraints and exacting tolerances, with on-site adjustments to further test their skills.
“They changed the machine we were supposed to use, which altered the spindle speed and the dynamics of everything,” Whiting said. “The tolerances we worked with were as tight as four ten-thousandths of an inch, which is on par with what the best manufacturers encounter in milling.”
The ICAMS team spent four weeks preparing for the competition, dedicating 12 hours per week to refining their processes. Their efforts were strengthened by access to ICAMS’ state-of-the-art quality control equipment, which Neff noted gave them a competitive edge.
“Watching the other teams and based on the quality of the parts we produced, I was confident we’d place in the top three,” he said.
The team’s preparation paid off as they outperformed the reigning champions, the University of Tennessee, who had won the previous two competitions.
“They were the team to beat, and it was thrilling to come out on top,” Neff said.
The team's resilience shone through despite setbacks, including scrapping a part due to a misstep.
“When we ran into an issue, Johnathan just shrugged, flipped the part and made a new one,” Whiting said. “His calmness under pressure was inspiring.”
For Deery, participating in the competition was a chance to benchmark his skills against his peers.
“It was an incredible opportunity to see where I stood compared to other undergraduates,” he said. “I want to be around manufacturing for the rest of my life. I love the hands-on aspect of it.”
The Project MFG competition highlights the importance of hands-on manufacturing experience for engineering students.
“This competition is a great way to showcase how manufacturing is not just a trade school necessity but an essential skill for engineers,” Neff added.
Greg Harris, director of ICAMS and chair of the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, added that the victory highlights the talent and dedication of ICAMS’ students and engineers.
“It’s a testament to the quality of Auburn’s advanced manufacturing education and the hands-on opportunities that prepare our students for real-world challenges,” he said. “We’re proud of their achievement and the standard they’ve set for future competitions.”
Media Contact: , carla@auburn.edu, 334-844-1404
Josh Whiting, Johnathan Deery, and David Neff manufactured a functional gearbox under tight time constraints at the 3rd Annual Project MFG SEC Machining Competition.
