Competition Between Talented Engineers
― Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation Contest (MECA)

MECA Competition Overview

The finals of the 16th Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation Contest (MECA*), where engineering students from all over China come together to present the best ideas and technology, took place over July 28th and 29th, 2023 at the Suzhou Taihu International Conference Center in China and ended with great success.

There were four categories in all. In the Systems Application category, students competed against each other to assemble a machine, based on Mitsubishi Electric FA products, with the same processing accuracy as a supplied sample, in a set amount of time. The Creative Design category saw students vie over the best ideas that will lead to evolutions in next-generation manufacturing, such as green and intelligent manufacturing.

Eighty-four teams from over 60 universities nationwide competed in these two categories alone. After rigorous judging, prizes for first, second, and third places were awarded, along with the top prize called the Corporate Special Award.

The opening and award ceremonies were attended by many guests, including a deputy district leader and the vice mayor of Suzhou City, representatives from the Automation Industry Association, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, and professors from China’s leading universities.

Special booths were set up at the venue during the event where Suzhou-based manufacturing companies and Mitsubishi Electric affiliates displayed a range of recruitment information and where students could gather to relax and talk. This went a long way in underlining the importance of this event to industrial-academic collaboration.

Next, we look at some of the heated battles that took place at the Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation Contest, which was held in-person for the first time in two years, following the pandemic.

* MECA: Mission, Experience, Communication, Achievement