Tag: combat robotics

3.2.1…Fight Robots FIGHT!

Published on by Brian FarnoLeave a comment

I have mentioned before that my undergrad degree is from the University of Cincinnati. The Combat Robotics Team was not a thing back then; in fact, robot fighting was still high-level and just coming around to the mainstream. Well, this past weekend, I had the chance to attend my first-ever PLANT at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub.

What is PLANT, you ask? It is a class of combat robots restricted to PLA, ABS, or PETG construction materials. The bots cannot weigh more than 1 pound and have some other guidelines generally set forth by SPARC. The teams generally design these bots as scaled-down versions of the bots they plan to build and take on larger battles. In addition, they must weigh no more than 1 pound. They are mostly 3D printed, and the benefit is that they are a cost savings to manufacture and then test against other similar-sized bots to try and see how a design may work out in a larger form.

Because these bots are all 3D printed, they can test complex geometries without the cost of the machining hours. This also helps them to see the value a complex part may add or helps them to come up with other methods to manufacture the product. The entire point is for them to test on a small scale with lower impact/risk, then scale up.

Super Air Knife installed

When talking with customers here at EXAIR about projects that may require long Super Air Knives to blow off an entire conveyor belt, we will often suggest doing a scaled test. Use a 12″ Super Air Knife to test an edge or a dedicated section of the belt. If a stock EXAIR product is tested, it can be returned within 30 days of the date of the order. This means you can take a small test section, with low risk, put it in place, and test it under production scenarios for nearly a month, and then contact us to let us know whether it works or not. Get a sales return order for the shorter length, and then scale up for the full demand of the application.

EXAIR’s offering a 30-day guarantee on stock products truly reduces the risk of testing out even a full-length Super Air Knife if you want to. This can sometimes give the decision makers the last little bit of confidence that EXAIR is the correct team to work with. If you want to discuss how we can help your production lines, contact an Application Engineer today.

Brian Farno, MBA – CCASS
National Business Development Manager

BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF

April 2025 Press Release: EXAIR Sponsors University Combat Robots Team, Investing in Future Engineers

Published on by Jordan T ShouseLeave a comment

At EXAIR, we have always believed in the power of innovation, engineering, and customer service. That’s why April’s press release is about the sponsorship of the University of Cincinnati Robotics Team. The club features a team of about 10 aspiring engineers who, in between their heavy course loads, create highly technical and impressive robots that compete in different tournaments around the United States. The club itself is highly focused on building sound engineering principles and the ability to marry those principles with creativity to create a formidable machine. This sponsorship aligns with our mission to promote innovative technology and demonstrates our dedication to community support—principles that are integral to our EXAIR culture.

If you’ve never seen a Combat Robots competition, they are custom-built robots, weighing up to 250 pounds, clashing in an arena with spinning blades, flippers, and sheer mechanical might. It’s engineering meets adrenaline, and it’s the perfect playground for students to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world challenges. The university team we’re sponsoring is a group of students who design, build, and test their robots from scratch, blending mechanical engineering, electronics, and programming into a single metal crunching monster designed to eliminate their opponent. Check out the video on their Instagram below.

Sponsoring this Combat Robots team is more than just a fun project. Robotics competitions like this inspire students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers, fostering skills that are critical to industries like manufacturing, aerospace, medical, and automotive. By supporting these young engineers, we’re helping to build a pipeline of talent that will drive innovation for years to come.

This initiative also reflects our broader commitment to community engagement. Through programs like our Employee Volunteer Program, we encourage our team to contribute to causes they care about, from local charities to educational outreach. Supporting the Combat Robots team is an extension of that spirit—empowering students to dream big, take risks, and turn their ideas into reality.

We can’t wait to see what these future engineers achieve—both in the arena and beyond. Here’s to smashing robots, and building a brighter future together!

Jordan Shouse, CCASS

Application Engineer

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BattleBot Photo Courtesy of ucincy_combat_robotics