Archive 2007-08 Catalog (Archived September 2007)
One College Avenue, Williamsport PA 17701 · (570) 326-3761 or (800) 367-9222
Plastics and Polymer Technology (PS)
Academic School: Industrial & Engineering Technologies
Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Students will gain knowledge in plastics (polymer) materials and the processing techniques commonly used in conjunction with these materials. A graduate in plastics technology will have a working knowledge of polymeric materials and processing techniques such as injection molding, extrusion, vacuum forming, injection blow molding and extrusion blow molding.
Career Opportunities: The successful associate degree candidate will be able to accept entry-level operator positions in industry. With two years of industrial experience, this individual should be promotable to positions such as setup technician, QC technician, etc.
Recommended High School Subjects: Algebra, physics, chemistry, and, if possible, mechanical drawing.
Remediation Strategies: Students should remediate any deficiencies prior to enrollment. It is recommended that students remediate deficiencies in the following order of priority: mathematics, English, reading. Students testing to MTH 004 or less are not permitted to take Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology (PPT) courses until the deficiency is cleared.
Transfer Procedures: This major is subject to the transfer standards established by the College (see http://www.pct.edu/catalog/TransferringCredits.htm ). Exceptions must be approved by the school dean.
Program Goals: A graduate of this major should be able to:
- identify and participate in the selection of polymeric materials including thermoplastics, thermoset plastics, thermoset elastomers, and thermoplastic elastomers.
- read and interpret blueprints as they relate to part design.
- read and interpret electric schematic drawings as they relate to plastic processing equipment.
- describe and discuss in detail the various manufacturing processes used to form, compound, and handle polymeric materials.
- generate designs via a computer aided design (CAD) system using software, such as parametric modeling.
- properly hang a mold in an injection molder.
- start up an injection molder; establish and troubleshoot a molding cycle.
- troubleshoot a mold-material/machine combination for common processing problems in injection molding.
- set up an extrusion line for simple extrudates such as strands and ribbons.
- discuss at length the safety practices required when working with the common plastic/polymer processing methods.
- disassemble, clean and/or replace worn components, and reassemble an injection mold.
- perform or specify minor machining functions.
- describe polymer behavior during melting, flow and cooling for semicrystalline and amorphous polymers.
- design experiments in Statistical Process Control (SPC) and use the data to solve process problems.
| First Semester | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PPT115 | The Plastics Industry | 2 | |
| PPT120 | Polymer Processing Survey | 4 | |
| CHM100 | Fundamentals of Chemistry | 4 | |
| or | |||
| CHM111 | General Chemistry I | 4 | |
| CSC110 | Introduction to Information Technology | 3 | |
| CAD117 | Technical Drawing, Print Reading and 2D CAD | 3 | |
| FIT | Fitness and Lifetime Sports Elective | 1 | |
| 17 | |||
| Second Semester | Credits | ||
| PPT130 | Plastics and Elastomers | 4 | |
| CAD237 | 3D CAD and Modeling | 3 | |
| ECO111 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | |
| ENL111 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| MTT105 | Manufacturing Processes and Toolmaking Survey | 4 | |
| 17 | |||
| Third Semester | Credits | ||
| PPT235 | Injection Molding | 4 | |
| PPT245 | Mold Design/Maintenance | 4 | |
| ENL201 | Technical and Professional Communication | 3 | |
| MTH180 | College Algebra and Trigonometry I | 3 | |
| QAL230 | Process Improvement (SPC) | 4 | |
| 18 | |||
| Fourth Semester | Credits | ||
| PPT250 | Industrial Blow Molding | 4 | |
| PPT248 | Extrusion | 4 | |
| PPT249 | Industrial Project Management | 3 | |
| MTH182 | College Algebra and Trigonometry II | 3 | |
| PHS | Physics/Chemistry Elective | 4 | |
| 18 | |||
Accreditation: Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Technology Accreditation Commission, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202, Telephone (410) 347-7700.