A recent donation of computer-aided manufacturing software is enhancing the education of Pennsylvania College of Technology students.
SolidCAM has provided a one-year, 75-seat license for the college’s manufacturing majors. The software is an add-on to SolidWorks, a prominent 3-D design and analysis program used for the development of parts and assemblies for manufacturing products.
With SolidCAM, users have the ability to create tool paths and computer-numerical-control code to produce parts in CNC machines.
“SolidCAM adds diversity of software for our students and assures that they will enter the workforce with experience using two highly rated CAM software titles,” said Richard K. Hendricks Jr., instructor of automated manufacturing and machining. “Our students also use Mastercam, which is another fine CAM program.”
Members of the college’s student chapter of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers already have employed SolidCAM to machine accelerator and brake pedals for the dune buggy-like vehicle they plan to enter in this spring’s Baja SAE international competition. The students anticipate using the software at the college’s automated manufacturing lab to make additional parts for the car.
“It’s rewarding when you see students immediately use the software and produce actual products, just like they would in industry,” Hendricks said. “That’s why our manufacturing students are in such high demand.”
Hendricks estimates that up to 100 students will use the SolidCAM software during the next year. The 75-seat license means that a maximum of 75 students can be working with the software simultaneously on the college’s network.
Penn College offers an associate degree in automated manufacturing technology and a bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering technology. For information about those programs and other majors offered by the School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.
For more about Penn College, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.