This event, called the "Manufacturing Challenge" is open to teams of students that present their solution to a "real world" manufacturing problem, including computer aided design (CAD), process planning, tooling, Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) and Robotics. The projects are evaluated by a panel of judges from the manufacturing industry based on the group's ten minute presentation. Teamwork, planning, design documentation, and over-all manufacturing solution are important criteria for judging.

The top prize for the competition includes cash, a new computer, and several thousand dollars worth of CAD/CAM and other manufacturing based software packages.

This year, the CSU, Chico SME student chapter will be competing at the WESTEC competition with a manufacturing solution for the silicon wafer industry. The project is based on the challenge of handling new, larger diameter, silicon wafers. Students have conducted extensive research and development to satisfy multiple applications in industry.