How can engineers experiment with smart manufacturing? This initiative focuses on real-world applications and practical innovation.
element14 Community, part of Avnet, has launched a new Smart Industry Design Challenge, inviting engineers, makers, and technology enthusiasts to develop solutions that bring greater intelligence to production environments. The initiative focuses on improving manufacturing processes through smarter monitoring, better uptime management, and more efficient product testing. Participants will build working prototypes or test rigs using curated component kits, with an emphasis on practical innovation and real-world applicability.
The challenge highlights the growing need for intelligent industrial systems. By encouraging projects such as predictive maintenance tools, production line monitoring systems, RFID-based tracking, and quality control solutions, the program aims to demonstrate how embedded intelligence can enhance operational efficiency. These approaches can help reduce downtime, optimize workflows, and enable more responsive decision-making across manufacturing setups.
From a development perspective, the competition offers hands-on advantages for participants. Engineers are required to document their design process and publish a detailed project blog, fostering knowledge sharing and collaborative learning within the community. The judging criteria emphasize creativity and effective use of components, pushing participants to explore innovative implementations rather than standard designs.
To support engagement, the challenge includes a range of incentives and tools. Winners will receive professional-grade test and measurement equipment, including oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and digital multimeters, while all successful participants will be awarded a voltage clamp meter.
“To us, smart industry is about applying creativity and practical engineering to real‑world manufacturing challenges,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “This challenge gives our members the opportunity to explore industrial innovation while sharing their ideas and learning from one another.”