Automation competition open to U.S. students

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – American engineering students can put their automation skills to the test in Phoenix Contact's xplore New Automation Award competition. Phoenix Contact has sponsored the contest in Europe since 2008, and this year the company expanded the competition to the United States. The contest challenges students to design an automation solution for nearly any application they choose. Categories include Education, Building, Environmental, Factory, Net, Recreation and "Twins" – a collaborative project between two or more institutions. To register for the contest, students must develop a short video describing their proposed project. If the entry is accepted into the contest, Phoenix Contact will provide approximately $4000 worth of automation equipment for use in the project. Students in high school, technical school or college may enter individually or as a team."Be creative and develop a really great idea. We'll provide the automation products contest, and you will be able to turn your concept into a technically functional system," said Jack Nehlig, president of Phoenix Contact USA and a patron of the contest. "Be inspired and show us how technology inspires you."Students can learn more and complete an application at http://www.xplore.org/2012/en/index.htm. Deadline for registration is June 1, 2011, and final projects are due in early 2012. The winning teams will present their projects at the 2012 Hannover Messe (Hanover Fair).