A longtime partner of Pennsylvania College of Technology has provided high-end equipment benefiting nearly 400 welding students throughout the academic year.
The Lincoln Electric Co. has supported the college by entrusting a Cooper welding cobot. It’s the first collaborative robot introduced at the college for welding students. The new technology is designed to work alongside welding operators. The Cooper welding cobot is the latest addition to the college’s 55,000-plus-square-foot welding facility.
Pennsylvania College of Technology welding faculty and students and representatives from Lincoln Electric Co. surround a Cooper welding cobot that the company has entrusted to the college. The collaborative industrial robot is designed to work alongside welding operators. Kneeling from left: student William J. Dougherty, of Montgomery, and welding technician specialist Charlie Cross. Standing from left: student Jake J. Small, of Bloomsbury, New Jersey; welding faculty Michael R. Allen; technical sales representative Robert Kaminski; technical sales engineer Dan Bechek; students Zachary A. Tallman, of Lewisburg; Rachael S. Lamb, of Beaver; Daniel A. Castro, of Prince William, Virginia; and Payton M. Crawford, of Bloomsburg; sales engineer Sam DiPasquale; technical sales representative Jeremy Crytzer; and welding faculty James N. Colton II.
“Cobot systems are becoming more prevalent in industry, from small fabrication shops to shipyards to the construction industry,” said Michael R. Allen, instructor and co-department head of welding. “Students with access to this equipment are at an advantage because they are being prepared for the next steps in industry.”
A leader in arc welding, robotic welding systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment, and brazing and soldering alloys, Lincoln Electric is a Penn College Corporate Tomorrow Maker and member of the Visionary Society ($100,000-$499,999) on the college’s Donor Wall.
“Lincoln Electric’s continued investment strengthens our welding programs by allowing our students to study with cutting-edge technology, making them highly competitive in the job market,” said Shanin L. Dougherty, senior corporate relations officer. “We are extremely grateful for our long-standing partnership.”
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation, workforce development and hands-on technical education,” said Kyle Drummer, general manager of Lincoln Electric Automation. “At Lincoln Electric, we recognize the critical role technical training plays in preparing students for the demands of today’s manufacturing and fabrication industries. By providing access to advanced automation tools like collaborative robots, we aim to help bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world application, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed in an evolving industry. We are excited to see how the Penn College partnership grows and look forward to joint efforts in advancing welding education and innovation.”
Two graduates of Penn College’s welding & fabrication engineering technology program – Jeremy Crytzer (class of 2009) and Sam DiPasquale (class of 2016) – were part of the Lincoln Electric contingent that visited campus to celebrate the cobot entrustment and meet with faculty.
“Penn College and Lincoln Electric changed my life. The skills I gained and the knowledge I absorbed created opportunities and opened doors I never imagined,” said Crytzer, a technical sales representative for the company. “Sixteen years later, welding automation is my passion and profession. Early exposure matters. I am proud to have been part of a school where students get that edge, which ultimately led me to Lincoln Electric, where I have sold welding solutions with a heavy focus on collaborative robots.”
DiPasquale is a sales engineer for Lincoln Electric.
“The welding & fabrication engineering technology program at Penn College exposed me to various skills and experiences that I use daily,” he said. “The college introduced me to Lincoln Electric’s internship program. That internship gave me a glimpse into multiple industries that Lincoln Electric works with and led me on the path I continue to this day. Over the past 10 years working for Lincoln Electric, automation has become a large part of my day-to-day life. I believe it's extremely important that students are exposed to welding automation early on to give them the competitive edge. Both Lincoln Electric and Penn College have invested in the future of welding.”
For information about Penn College’s ABET-accredited welding degrees and other majors offered by the School of Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.