Machine donation aids Penn College manufacturing students

Pennsylvania College of Technology manufacturing students will benefit from a Corporate Tomorrow Maker’s latest donation.

TRAK Machine Tools, a subsidiary of Southwestern Industries Inc. and the market leader in computer-numerical-control technology for small-lot machining, is equipping the college with a TRAK TMC5 mill and a TRAK 1630RX lathe. Rich Leonard, chairman of Southwestern Industries, and his wife, Marion, purchased the machines before donating them to the college.

“We are very grateful for the continued support of Rich and Marion Leonard and TRAK Machine Tools,” said Elizabeth A. Biddle, senior corporate relations director. “They have demonstrated a sincere commitment to our students with a series of machine donations. Their generosity enhances students’ hands-on experiences and the future of manufacturing.”

The TRAK workstations are earmarked for the college’s automated manufacturing lab and will be used by about 100 students throughout the academic year. Penn College’s manufacturing majors include a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology and associate degrees in automated manufacturing technology and machine tool technology. The college also offers a CNC machinist certificate.

“We are committed to exposing our students to the various types of CNC machines and technology in the manufacturing sector,” said Richard K. Hendricks Jr., instructor of automated manufacturing and machining. “The TMC5 mill is the first machine in our lab with a fully functional, programmable three-axis machining center, but with a flip of a switch, it can be used as a manual machining center. The 1630RX lathe is equipped with an eight-station tool changer. Its capacity for additional cutting tools provides us with a more productive machine.”

Hendricks anticipates the machines – valued at over $100,000 – also will serve noncredit training opportunities and expose industry representatives to TRAK technology.

“We are happy to partner with Penn College and the machining programs that produce skilled technicians and engineers for our industry,” Leonard said. “The opportunities for students in this industry are endless, and we want them to understand the technology and benefits of TRAK Machine Tools — as both an employer and supplier for their machine needs — throughout their career.”

Headquartered in Southern California, TRAK Machine Tools supports numerous industries, such as aerospace, agriculture, automotive, construction, defense, energy and medical. The company consistently recruits at Penn College’s career fairs and employs numerous alumni.

For information about Penn College manufacturing degrees and other majors offered by the School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

Penn College is a national leader in applied technology education. Email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.