Haas Entrusts Additional Equipment to Manufacturing Programs

Haas Automation Inc., of Oxnard, Calif., recently entrusted two pieces of equipment to Pennsylvania College of Technology, bringing its total to four since 2004.

The company has provided the college with two pieces of CNC (computer numerical control) machine tools a TM1 toolroom mill and a TL1 toolroom lathe, along with the accessories to support the equipment for two years.

Both pieces of equipment are unique because they can be fully programmed or used manually, according to Richard K. Hendricks, instructor of machine tool technology/automated manufacturing.

The equipment will be used for instruction in all of Penn College's manufacturing majors, which include manufacturing engineering technology, automated manufacturing technology, toolmaking technology and machinist general. The two new pieces are housed in the college's Machining Technologies Center.

"Being able to use the latest, state-of-the-art CNC programming technology is an asset for the students," Hendricks said.

Through a contract with Haas, when Penn College purchases a piece of equipment, the company entrusts an additional piece that the college may use as it needs for a specified time. The value of the two pieces, which have been entrusted for the next two years, is about $58,000.

Another two pieces of equipment, worth about $108,000, were provided to the college in 2004 and are housed in the automated manufacturing lab in the College Avenue Labs facility. Haas recently extended the entrustment for these two pieces of equipment for an additional year.

Established in 1983, Haas Automation Inc. is the largest machine-tool builder in the United States, manufacturing a full line of CNC vertical and horizontal machining centers, CNC lathes, rotary tables, and related equipment.

In addition to employing the machine tools in the classroom, the college is a "Haas Technical Education Center," using the equipment to provide industry training and hosting tours for Haas customers and representatives. Hendricks is a member of the company's Haas Technical Education Center Council, a panel of representatives from Haas Technical Education Centers nationwide.

For more information about the academic programs offered by the School of Industrial and Engineering Technologies at Penn College, call (570) 327-4520, send e-mail or visit on the Web .