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University Of Minnesota Team Claims Victory In Bright Manufacturing Challenge 2025 Round 1
August 19, 2025 | EMACEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The Electronics Manufacturing & Assembly Collaborative (EMAC) recently announced that Team "Rise and Grind Crew" from the University of Minnesota has emerged victorious in Round 1 of the Bright Manufacturing Challenge 2025. The team's exceptional Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design earned them the $1,000 cash prize and secured their position among the top eight teams advancing to the final round of competition on October 22, 2025 during the SMTA International Conference and Expo in Rosemont, Illinois, USA.
Golden Gopher Excellence Shines
Team "Rise and Grind Crew" distinguished themselves among competitors nationwide with their innovative PCB design that will serve as the brain of their competition robot. The team demonstrated exceptional technical prowess in creating a functional, efficient, and manufacturable design while incorporating a standout custom feature that impressed industry judges.
"The University of Minnesota team captured exactly what we hope to see in the next generation of electronics professionals,” said Tara Dunn, EMAC Director of Training and Education. “Their work blended technical precision with forward-thinking innovation, problem-solving, and attention to detail that fuels real progress in electronics manufacturing. This is the mindset that will shape our industry’s future.”
From Design to Reality: The Journey Continues
Having conquered the design phase, Team "Rise and Grind Crew" now advances to Round 2: Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Review, running through September 30, 2025. During this critical phase, industry experts will evaluate their design for real-world fabrication readiness, providing professional-grade feedback that mirrors actual industry processes. As one of only eight teams nationwide to advance, they will compete in the competition finale for the $2,500 grand prize. The other seven teams to advance include:
- Michigan Technological University Team “MTU ECE”
- University of Massachusetts Lowell “Team Fishies”
- Palomar College Team “PCBros”
- University of Maribor Team “R&J”
- University of Massachusetts Lowell Team “RiverHawk Tracers”
- Pasadena City College Team “Ohm’s Revenge”
- University of Massachusetts Lowell Team “Clap Trap”
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Julia McCaffrey - NCAB GroupSuggested Items
Ruben Zambrano Joins Technica USA as PCB Equipment Service Technician
10/20/2025 | Technica USATechnica USA is proud to announce that Ruben Zambrano has rejoined Team Technica as PCB Equipment Service Technician.
ASC Sunstone Circuits Adds New Options to OneQuote While Maintaining Real-Time Pricing on Core PCB Features
10/16/2025 | ASC Sunstone CircuitsASC Sunstone Circuits, a leading U.S. PCB manufacturer, today announced a significant expansion of its OneQuote online quoting tool, giving design engineers more control over complex PCB configurations — making it easier for the quote team to quickly clarify and verify specifications, reducing delays from manual quote reviews.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Investing in Tomorrow's PCB Experts Today
09/24/2025 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsPeople often describe the PCB industry as one of the most critical yet invisible foundations of modern electronics. Every project needs a PCB, but few college programs or engineering curricula cover the complexity of board design, stackups, or manufacturability. That means the responsibility for developing the next generation of PCB experts falls on the industry itself.
Advocates for Electronics: A Government Relations Team Puts Muscle Behind Your Hustle
08/18/2025 | Michelle Te, Community MagazineWhen Steve Lechtenberg, president and partner of Mectronx in Wisconsin, needed guidance about how PFAS regulations could affect his business, he sent an email to a member of Congress representing his state. That email later resulted in a two-hour in-person meeting with Scott Rausch, one of Sen. Ron Johnson’s team members. “We discussed everything from how the Global Electronics Association helps Mectronx to how small contract manufacturers can compete in today’s global marketplace,” Steve says.
It’s Only Common Sense: Why Failure Is an Opportunity for Growth
08/18/2025 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseIt’s only common sense that failure, as painful as it may be, is one of the best teachers. Whether you’re running a business, managing a team, or navigating your personal journey, failure offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn, grow, and emerge stronger. If you’re not failing now and then, you’re likely not trying hard enough or pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. Here’s why failure is not just inevitable but also invaluable, and how to use it as a steppingstone to success.