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Bright Manufacturing Challenge 2025
Design. Fabricate. Compete.
October 19 - 23, 2025
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
Rosemont, Illinois

The Bright Manufacturing Challenge is an immersive, hands-on experience where student teams will design, fabricate, and test a custom printed circuit board to serve as the control center for a robot.



How the Bright Manufacturing Challenge Works

Teams
The challenge is a multidisciplinary, team-based competition designed to simulate a real-world engineering product development cycle. Teams will consist of 2-5 individuals with cross-disciplinary skills:
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PCB Designer
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Embedded Programmer / Firmware Development Lead
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Mechanical Builder / Integrater
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Team Coordinator / Communications Lead
Project Rounds
The challenge is broken into four primary rounds, each with deliverables, checkpoints, and learning outcomes.
Rounds include:
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Round 1: PCB Design
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Round 2: Fabrication DFM Review
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Round 3: Assembly - Planning and Preparing for Board Population
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Round 4: Final Integration and Robot Challenge
Challenge Benefits
As a participant in the challenge, you will recieve:
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One-Year Altium Designer License
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Professional Design Training
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Industry-Standard Documentation Practice
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Mentorship and Review Support
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Recognition and Awards
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Bragging Rights for Your College or University
Round 1: PCB Design
$1,000 cash prize!
Open to anyone who would like to participate
Overview:
Students must carefully design a PCB that will serve as the brain of the robot challenge. The key focus is ensuring the layout is functional, efficient, manufacturable, and clean.
Additional Challenge: Each team can modify the Base design, adding a key feature. This feature will be judged.
Note: Basic PCB Shape and layer stack must be maintained. Each team must purchase any additional components for the added feature.
Deliverables:
o Design Summary Document (1–2 pages)
o Schematic (Added Team Feature)
o PCB Layout Files
o Full Fabrication File
o Full Assembly Package
o Design Rule Check (DRC) Report
o PDF Outputs
When:
July 1 - 31, 2025
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What are the eligibility requirements to join the challenge?Any currently enrolled student (tech school, undergraduate or graduate level) can participate. Each team must have 2–4 members and a faculty advisor.
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Do we need prior experience with PCB design or Altium Designer to participate?No prior experience is required. Teams will receive training resources, a one-year license, and training courtesy of Altium Designer.
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Is there a cost to participate in the challenge?There is a registration fee of $25 for each team. However, there will be further travel expenses if your team is selected for the final challenge
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What is the timeline of the challenge?The challenge kicks off on July 1, 2025. Teams will design and optionally build the robot PCBs over the summer. Final in-person testing will occur at SMTAI on October 21-22, 2025, in Rosemont, Illinois.
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What kind of robot are we designing for?Each team will design a robot from a set schematic with specific design criteria. EXCEPT each team will be allowed to add a specific feature to their robot, which they will be judged on in the competition. (Note: Each team must procure the added components for their feature.) Further design criteria will be provided.
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Will we receive hardware or parts to help with prototyping?Yes, basic robot kits, tools, and Equipment (except components needed for the added feature) will be provided.
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Are we required to attend the SMTA International event in person?No, but in-person participation at SMTAI (Rosemont, Illinois) is highly encouraged, primarily when representing your school in the final Challenge competition. Rounds 1 & 2 of the competition are open to everyone and will be done remotely.
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How will our PCB design be evaluated?Each Round of the Challenge will have designated categories in which they will be judged. Designs will be judged based on various criteria.
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Can teams reuse or modify the Baseline robot design?Yes, each team is encouraged to add to the Baseline Robot Design called the Added Feature. This will be judged as the best idea. Each team must procure the added components for their added feature. If you are selected to attend the Final Challenge, your PCB Design will be fabricated. You must keep specific design criteria, such as the Layer stackup and board size.
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What software and tools are we allowed to use?Altium Designer, KiCAD, and Orcad. The Altium 365 will be used for the Project workspace. Teams may also use simulation, firmware development, and mechanical CAD tools.
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Can multiple teams from the same university participate?Yes, multiple teams from one school are welcome. Each team must register separately and have a distinct project.
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What kind of support or mentoring will be available?Participants can access online mentoring sessions, forums, tutorials, and Q&A sessions.


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