Corporate Tomorrow Maker conducts campus event

A Pennsylvania College of Technology Corporate Tomorrow Maker recently conducted a manufacturing and education event on campus for students and industry partners.

Representatives from TRAK Machine Tools Inc., a subsidiary of Southwestern Industries Inc. and an industry leader in innovative products for machinist productivity, enjoyed a full day on campus, interacting with college faculty, staff and students; corporate partners; and 23 students from Keystone Central School District. 

Following remarks from Penn College President Michael J. Reed, Stephen Pinto, president and CEO of TRAK Machine Tools, began the event with a presentation on Industry 4.0. Attention then shifted to the Larry A. Ward Machining Technologies Center. The lab is home to many TRAK machines. 

In the center, the contingent met with members of the college’s Baja SAE team, who have used TRAK machines to manufacture parts for their competitive single-seat all-terrain vehicle. Howard W. Troup, assistant professor and co-department head of automated manufacturing and machining, and Rudy Gebhard, a sales representative for TRAK Machine Tools, also discussed the benefits of the company’s technology. Attendees included the center’s benefactor, alumnus Larry A. Ward.

Another alumnus – Aaron Riser – was one of several afternoon presenters in the College Avenue Labs. Riser, who earned an associate degree in welding technology and certificates in welding and machinist general in 2010, spoke on retrofits, upgrades and preventative maintenance for TRAK machines. He is a field service technician for the company. 

Officials from Toolpath, a software development company, and Siemens, a global technology company, were also on hand to discuss machining economics and digital twin technology, respectively. 

In the Gene Haas Center for Innovative Manufacturing, the group enjoyed demonstrations of TRAK machines, conducted by Kevin Callahan, an applications representative for TRAK Machine Tools.

“We are proud that TRAK Machine Tools chose Penn College to host such an informative event, highlighting the company’s technology and the future of manufacturing,” said Shanin L. Dougherty, senior corporate relations officer. “They have been a strong corporate partner for several years, a relationship that has benefited countless students. We’re also pleased that the activity introduced Penn College to students from Keystone Central School District and representatives from other companies.”