Global Technology Leader Entrusts Welding Equipment to College

Published 08.30.2016

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Welding & Metal Fabrication
Corporate Relations
Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies News

The excellence of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s welding program has been recognized by one of the world’s technology leaders in arc welding. Fronius USA LLC is generously entrusting equipment to support the education of welding students.

Approximately 350 Penn College students will use the Fronius welding equipment during the 2016-17 academic year. The equipment includes six TPS/i units, two TPS CMT units, 10 MagicWave 3000 units, and one Robotic DC TIG/Plasma unit.

“We feel honored and fortunate to receive such a generous equipment loan from Fronius,” said David R. Cotner, dean of industrial, computing and engineering technologies. “Our welding students are going to enjoy tremendous benefits from working on the equipment.”



Penn College’s welding program receives equipment entrustment from Fronius USA LLC. From left are Michael J. Nau, welding instructor; Tom Farley, Fronius sales application technician; and Ty E. Rhinehart, welding instructor. (Photo by Tia G. La, student photographer)The students will learn on intelligent, multiprocess power sources that expand functionality with simple software upgrades. In both manual and robotic applications, the state-of-the-art equipment will allow students to weld extreme thin-gauge material, mild steel, aluminum and exotic metals with precision and impressive arc stability.

“We are very excited to enter into this initial partnership with a world-leading company like Fronius,” said Elizabeth A. Biddle, director of corporate relations at Penn College. “Fronius has a long history of excellence, as does our welding department, which has been producing successful graduates for generations. We hope this is the beginning of an enduring relationship.”

Penn College offers a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology, an associate degree in welding technology and a certificate in welding. According to Cotner, starting salaries for recent four-year graduates range from $55,000 to $80,000, and for two-year graduates, the range is $38,000 to $65,000.

 

 Fronius is one of the world’s technology leaders in the arc welding market segment“Fronius USA is excited to be partnering with Penn College,” said Stefan Mayr, sales director for Fronius. “We want to ensure that our future U.S. workforce is the best by providing the best welding technology available.”

Fronius has been committed to improving the science of joining metals since its founding in Pettenbach, Austria, in 1945. Its Perfect Welding Division offers services and products devoted to arc welding, automation, laser welding and resistance welding.

For information on Penn College’s welding majors and other programs offered by the college’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

Those interested in contributing to the welding program or establishing a scholarship fund for welding students can send a gift to the Penn College Foundation, One College Avenue, Williamsport, PA 17701; or call the Institutional Advancement Office toll-free at 866-GIVE-2-PC (866-448-3272).

For more on Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and workforce development, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.