Penn College Benefits From Agreement With Haas Automation

Pennsylvania College of Technology has partnered with a California firm to enable students and faculty in the College's Automated Manufacturing program to work with state-of-the-art equipment for two years. Haas Automation Inc. of Oxnard, Calif., has made available to the College two CNC (computer numerical control) machine tools a Super Mini Mill Vertical Machining Center and an SL-10 CNC Lathe as well as accessories and support. The equipment will be used for instructional purposes in Penn College's Automated Manufacturing Lab, located in the new College Avenue Labs facility in an area designated as the "Haas Technical Education Center."

Penn College will work with Haas officials to coordinate periodic visits to the Automated Manufacturing Lab as well as College tours for customers and representatives of the company.

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.

"The Haas entrustment helps make it possible for our students to work with the next generation of automated machine tools," said Dr. Lawrence J. Fryda, dean of industrial and engineering technologies at Penn College. "In many ways, this new generation of machining tools redefines the skills graduates will need in the workplace. Industry is approaching a critical need for employees with these skills in order to continue to be competitive internationally."

"Haas and the Haas Factory Outlet-Philadelphia support America's efforts to increase our world competitiveness in manufacturing," said Edward Kilgallon, president of Lance Co., a distributor of Haas equipment. "Through the efforts of technical programs like Penn College, we can meet the challenges of a global economy."

Penn College is a special mission affiliate of The Pennsylvania State University. More than 6,000 students are enrolled at the College, which offers an array of bachelor's degrees, associate's degrees and certificates representing more than 100 career options ranging from manufacturing, design, transportation, construction and natural resources to hospitality, health, business and communications.

For more information about Penn College, call toll-free, 1-800-367-9222, send e-mail or visit online .