Machining skills competition

By Diane Davies-Dixon

An international machining skills exchange and competition is under way in Bensalem.

Photo by Diane Davies-Dixon

The contest, which runs through Thursday, involves eight teams of industrial problem-solvers — five from China and three from the U.S. The teams are mostly made up of employees in the field of machining, along with students from Vicennes University in Indiana.

The Phillips Corp., in partnership with Cross Cultural Exchange of China, is hosting the competition under the direction of Fred C. Joseph, president of Phillips’ CNC Applications and Education Division in Bensalem.

The competition is designed to benefit Bensalem manufacturer Rey Trucks, which produces the parts, called trucks, that hold the wheels on the bottom of skateboards. The company is looking to improve its production process, according to a press release from Phillips.

“Each team has to come up with a design of their own,” said Chris Tan, coordinator for the Chinese teams participating in the competition.

Photo by Diane Davies-Dixon

Joseph said the teams will be judged on safety and technical standards by a panel that includes employees of Prism Engineering in Horsham, EMP Industries in Ivyland and three representatives of Chinese companies.

The designs and products developed by the teams will be owned by Rey Trucks once the competition is over.

“The team that wins gets recognition and gains knowledge,” said Joseph. “I want to turn this into an Olympics where all countries are involved.”