A team of ten students from Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) recently participated in the third annual Merck Automation and Innovation Challenge, held on November 21 and 22, 2023, at the college’s Blue Bell campus. These students, specializing in engineering and computer science, applied their skills in a competitive setting designed to mirror real-world challenges faced in pharmaceutical industries.
Under the guidance of Chengyang Wang, an associate professor of engineering at MCCC, students worked collaboratively to devise an automation system for a fictional chemical manufacturing plant. The challenge required them to utilize two Kuka six-axis industrial robots and various other tools to sort bottles of chemicals according to a provided manifest. This task involved programming the robots to scan and manage data, ensuring accurate sorting and transfer of materials to a designated conveyor belt.
The event not only tested students’ technical abilities but also emphasized teamwork across different STEM disciplines, integrating knowledge from mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering. Wang remarked, “We gather students from various programs to solve an automation challenge that mimics a real-life scenario that can happen in pharmaceutical companies.”
Participants included Sarah T. Ahner, Rachel Myhre, David Olabanji, and Joshua Jang. They expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative environment. Jang noted, “My favorite part is seeing how everyone thinks — how engineering students and computer science students can work together to make this project successful.”
The challenge’s structure required students not only to build functional systems but also to analyze data effectively. They were tasked with comparing the information scanned from the bottles to ensure adherence to the manifest, thus reinforcing the importance of accuracy in automation processes.
In addition to the hands-on experience, participants presented their solutions to a panel of judges, including Merck employees and MCCC alumni, sharing insights about the obstacles they faced and the strengths they leveraged within their team. Erin Coppola, an automation engineer at Merck, emphasized the initiative’s goal: “This is an industry-relevant challenge for students to gain hands-on experience and work together in a collaborative way.”
The event originated from an initiative by retired Merck employee Scott Ziegler, aimed at creating pathways for MCCC students to enter the workforce equipped with relevant skills. Coppola highlighted the significance of the challenge, stating, “It has many different ways that can be tackled, but what’s really great to see is how they’re using cutting-edge technology and the skills they’ve learned in the classroom.”
Students appreciated the opportunity to gain practical experience in industrial robotics. Myhre commented, “Gaining hands-on experience with industrial robotics was invaluable. This challenge exemplifies collaborative problem-solving, requiring us to merge different perspectives to get the entire system functioning as one.”
Wang expressed gratitude for the continued partnership with Merck, noting the vital role industry professionals play in mentoring students. He stated, “I appreciate that they have engineers who take their time off from work to come down here and talk to students. That shows students how the knowledge they study in the classroom can actually be converted to solve real-life challenges.”
As the challenge concluded, the impact of the collaboration between MCCC and Merck was evident. Coppola remarked, “This is definitely a positive for Merck, too, because it allows us to build a connection in the community and at Montco and recruit real talent for the future.” The event stands as a testament to the importance of interdisciplinary learning and real-world application in preparing students for future careers.
