ARC Specialties recently had the pleasure of training an enthusiastic team of European engineers.  The crew received training for weeks at ARC's world headquarters in Houston, TX.  The latest technologies and practices were shared, including clad welding, theory, and programming.  Each engineer returned to Europe with an ARC Clad Welder Certification.  Aside from all things welding, ARC shared their Texan hospitality and even gave them a few lessons in archery!

ARC Specialties sponsored Duchesne Academy and Bellaire High School in the 2008 Best Robotics Competition, which took place last Saturday.  The competition attracted a great turnout, as students, teachers, sponsors, and robot aficionados alike created a happening and loud scene.   

The competition's challenge was to use automated, team-built robots to assemble model planes.  The theme was "Just Plane Crazy", and the atmosphere was apropos.  Sporting bright team t-shirts, rival high schools bounced the decibel meter from one side of the arena to the next chanting "WE'VE GOT SPIRIT YES WE DO, WE GOT SPIRIT HOW 'BOUT YOU?!"  The Wave was evergoing in the bleachers.  DJs scratched hits inbetween matches, and spectators were often seen in full sprint to place a good view to root for their team.

Participating teams proved the ongoing trend that it's hip to be smart, and that a future job in robots is truly about as cool as it gets!

For questions about BEST Robotics and how to get involved, email
BEST Robotics or Dan Allford.

One of the major differences that sets ARC Specialties above the competition is ARC's excellence in manufacturing.  Every machine built by ARC Specialties is a testament to the ARC team's dedication as a world class manufacturing facility.