PLC PROGRAMMING (MECHATRONICS) Competition

Mechatronics Technicians apply their knowledge of engineering to solve technical problems and maintain automated mechanical equipment. They work beside Engineers and Scientists, often assist in the research and development of production. Mechatronics involves working with constantly evolving technology in the Industrial Automation realm, and more broadly across the Electrotechnology industry.

The WorldSkills Australia Mechatronics Competition is designed to allow Competitors to demonstrate their skills in technology involving PLC Programming, they will need to build a project consisting of several operations and maintain a simulated plant during the competition time.

YOU SHOULD PURSUE A CAREER IN MECHATRONICS IF YOU:

  • Have a strong background in computer technology
  • Are interested in technical and engineering work
  • Can work cooperatively as part of a team and have good communication skills
  • Have a capacity for creative thinking and problem-solving
  • Are interested in mechanical equipment, physics and mathematics
  • Have an eye for design

IT ALL BEGINS AT A REGIONAL COMPETITION

The WorldSkills Australia PLC PROGRAMMING (MECHATRONICS) Competitions begin at a grass roots level in one of 42 Australian regions. The PLC PROGRAMMING (MECHATRONICS) Regional Competitions test the skills and knowledge of 4000+ apprentices, trainees and students, who have the opportunity to win gold, silver and bronze medals and gain the chance to go on to compete at a national level.

WorldSkills Australia competitions operate on a two-year cycle. The next PLC PROGRAMMING (MECHATRONICS) Regional Competition rounds are now running across the country. 2023 and 2025 are the next National Championship years.

Register your interest to compete in PLC PROGRAMMING (MECHATRONICS)

Training Package Requirements

The WorldSkills Australia Mechatronics Competitions are aligned to the National Electrotechnology Training Package.

Regional Competition

Training Package Requirements – Regional Level

The 2024 WorldSkills Australia Regional Mechatronics Competition is aligned to the Units of Competency contained in the UEE63020 – Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering Qualification.

Regional Tasks

The Regional Completion is designed for Competitors to write a Programmable Controller program from scratch to achieve a predetermined sequence they will also be required to both wire the Programmable Controller as well as build the pneumatic circuit.  The Regional Competition project is designed to test Competitors’ skills and ability in the following tasks related to Mechatronics:

  • Analyse the operation of the project and define each step in the sequence of the operation.
  • Write a Programmable Controller control program
  • Download a program into the Programmable Controller
  • Monitor and edit the program.
  • Understand a pneumatic diagram.
  • Connect required I/O’s to the Programmable Controller
  • Analyse the operation to ensure all operating specifications of the project are met.
  • Collate all written information into a working logbook.
  • Use a Programmable Controller programmer/computer to monitor the operation.
  • Analyse the operation and identify the aspects required to be changed

Regionals Competition Duration

The competition is completed in 6 hours over 1 day not including briefing or breaks.

National Competition

Training Package Requirements – National Level

The 2023 WorldSkills Australia National Mechatronics Competition is aligned to the Units of Competency contained in the UEE63020 – Advanced Diploma of Electrical Systems Engineering Qualification.

National Tasks

Competitors at the National Competition compete in teams of two. They work together to complete a variety of programming tasks of a more complex nature than the regional.  Teams will be required to commission, operate, program, maintain and design simulated production unit.

The competition project is designed to test the Competitors skills in the following tasks related to Mechatronics:

  • Connect and terminate inputs/outputs of their PLC
  • Commission the production unit(s) ensuring correct operation and set up for optimum performance
  • Maintain the production unit(s), by fault-finding and correcting any problems that will become evident during this operating period
  • Keep an operational log for the production unit(s) during the competition
  • Program your supplied PLC’s to operate the production unit(s) as per a supplied design brief and implement required programming changes/modifications as required
  • Perform all tasks under strict time constraints, to an acceptable and specified standard, while constantly maintaining appropriate safety standards.
  • Keep standards of professional practice. (Clean work environment, cable management, etc)
  • Assemble and disassemble industrial components (Festo Didactic modules).
  • Understanding of electrical/pneumatic drawings to construct a system.
  • Diagnose electrical faults

Nationals Competition Duration

The competition is completed in 18 hours over 3 days not including briefing or breaks.

Find out about training options

myskills website is the national directory of Vocational Education and Training (VET) organisations and courses.

Learn more about this course by following this link Advanced Diploma of Electrical – Engineering

 

 

 

 

Register your interest to compete in PLC PROGRAMMING (MECHATRONICS)