Penn College News

College Awarded Consignment of Robotic Welder

Monday, September 8, 2014

A leading manufacturer of welding robots has acknowledged the excellence of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s welding program.

The college recently received a three-year consignment of a CLOOS QRC 350 Robot and supporting equipment from CLOOS Robotic Welding Inc., a subsidiary of Carl Cloos Schweisstechnik GmbH, in Haiger, Germany. CLOOS Robotic Welding, based in Schaumburg, Illinois, provides customized automated turn-key welding solutions throughout North America.

“Adding a robotic workstation from a company such as CLOOS is a big benefit for our students,” said David R. Cotner, dean of the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies.     “Robotic welding has become much more prevalent throughout industry in recent years, and it’s essential that students have exposure to the latest technologies. Our welding graduates are already in high demand, and this addition to the program will make them even more marketable.”



Equipment on consignment from CLOOS Robotic Welding Inc. frames Penn College welding lecturer James C. Tanner in the Avco-Lycoming Metal Trades Center.Hartmut Boegel, president of CLOOS Robotic Welding Inc., which was founded in 1985, has been a solid provider of high-end robotic welding technology. “As an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) supplier, we are excited to partner with Penn College and be able to give their students exposure to CLOOS robotic welding systems,” he said.

James N. Colton II, assistant professor of welding and co-department head, initiated the consignment when he met with CLOOS representatives during the annual FABTECH expo last November in Chicago. FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event.

Dan Flicek (left), programming supervisor for CLOOS Robotic Welding Inc. in Schaumburg, Ill., trains Penn College welding instructor Aaron E. Biddle ...... who quickly applies his newly gained knowledge inside the robotic-welding workstation.Penn College alumnus Philip N. Wiegand, who earned a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology in 2004, encouraged the agreement in his role as process manager for Volvo Construction Equipment in Shippensburg. Volvo Construction Equipment uses CLOOS Robots in the manufacture of heavy equipment.

Penn College offers a certificate in welding, an associate degree in welding technology and a bachelor’s degree in welding & fabrication engineering technology. According to Cotner, students in all three programs will receive hands-on experience with the CLOOS QRC 350 Robot during the next three years.

For information on welding majors and other degrees offered by the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

For more about Penn College, which is celebrating its Centennial throughout 2014, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.