New product designs Mazak hosts record-breaking student design challenge

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The Technology Design and Innovation (TDI) Challenge, organized by the UK’s Manufacturing Technologies Association, aims to inspire future engineers. This year's event was hosted by Yamazaki Mazak.

The TDI Challenge showcases student creativity and emphasizes the collaboration between industry and education in addressing future challenges and opportunities. Mazak supports the development of future engineers through its apprenticeship scheme and initiatives like the TDI Challenge.

Held on 10th July at Mazak’s European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester, this year’s competition featured 23 finalists aged 14-19, who presented their design concepts for new products to a panel of 13 judges.

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The event provided a platform for students to discuss their innovative ideas, showcase their engineering projects, and present their creative concepts to the panel of expert judges, before receiving an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the manufacturing facility.

Past winners Scarlett Ward (2022) and Bhavy Metakar (2023) returned as part of the judging panel, sharing their journeys and discussing the positive impact the TDI Challenge has had on their careers. Scarlett is currently developing her underwater laser alarm project, while Bhavy is working on a start-up inspired by his winning project.

At Mazak, the finalists presented their ideas in detail and, after much deliberation, discussions, and conversations, the judging panel was able to select the winners.

• 1st place: Indigo Wernick, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern, for a product design aiding people with dyspraxia

• 2nd place: Nithiphat Tangprasert (Bill), Charterhouse, for a sign language translation device

• 3rd place: Amaya Lunavat, North London Collegiate School, for a cooking oil and wastewater separator

• Group category winner: Daniel Hill, Hadi Dhoomun, Jacob Hallworth, Bethan Davies and William Cattell from WMG Coventry, for their PI 5 project.

Lawrence McCann, European Group Engineering Director at Yamazaki Mazak, said: “The MTA's TDI Challenge bridges the gap between education and industry, promoting innovation, design skills, project management and marketing skills among students. We have hosted the finals on several occasions, however 2024 was certainly the most innovative and inspiring collection of ideas to date. I was particularly impressed with the commitment to finding solutions to both social and environmental challenges. I think it is fair to say that, judging by the ideas on display, the future of innovation here in the UK is in safe hands.”

Mazak is set to continue its commitment to the next generation of engineering talent by once again participating in National Manufacturing Day on 26 September. The company will be opening its doors to anyone wishing to find out more about a career in manufacturing — from students and school leavers to more experienced workers looking to reskill — and will be running a series of tours and networking opportunities with current Mazak apprentices and employees.

Potential attendees should register in advance and can do so here-

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