Samco Machinery sponsors successful Ont. high school robotics team

The Pink Titans Robotics Team

Samco Machinery, a Toronto-based rollforming equipment manufacturer, helped played a role in the success of a high school team competing in the FIRST Robotics Competition.

The Pink Titans robotics team of David & Mary Thomson Collegiate Institute in Scarborough, Ont., earned the Autonomous Award Event at the Ontario District Humber College event and advanced to the playoff rounds.

“This is a unique worldwide competition that produces some incredible robotics,” says Bob Repovs, Samco Machinery CEO and president. “These dedicated students earned their award for demonstrating a Java-programmed robot that can carry out tasks without human control. It really is amazing.”

In addition to earning awards at events, FRC students can receive scholarships from colleges and universities. Scholarships are awarded for academic achievements as well as high leadership aptitudes demonstrated on the FRC team, including perseverance, determination, teamwork, time-management and communication.

Samco gave the Pink Titans full access to its manufacturing facility. In the previous year, Samco produced laser cut parts to assist with the sturdiness of the robot, made from CAD files provided by the students. This year, Samco is looking to provide 3D-printed prototypes, laser cut and formed materials, machined components as well as the knowledge base on manufacturing techniques and manufacturability.

“As a high school team, the finances are very limited,” says Edmund Kim, lead mentor of the Pink Titans. “Thus, the Pink Titans are very grateful for Samco’s support to help ensure the team’s continued sustainability and success. The team is inquiring about opportunities to receive mentorship support where industry professionals can share knowledge with high school students. Robotics is hard, but the experience is very rewarding, especially when the students work alongside highly successful people and see their future in the industry.”