Penn College News

Penn College’s lab expansion to facilitate laser welding

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s expanded welding instructional facility will include laser welding, thanks in part to a partnership with Laserline Inc.

The manufacturer of high-power industrial diode lasers for metals processing and other applications is entrusting a 2 kilowatt laser power source to the college, which will facilitate an operational laser cell for students.

“We are grateful for the Laserline partnership, which is instrumental in the college’s effort to add laser welding to the curriculum,” said David R. Cotner, dean of Penn College’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies. “Laser welding is growing, so we want to provide hands-on experience with the technology for our students. We have a long history of adapting to the needs of industry, and this is the latest example.”



A partnership between Pennsylvania College of Technology and Laserline Inc. is instrumental to the addition of laser welding to the curriculum of the welding and metal fabrication program at the college.As part of the 300-level curriculum on advanced robotics and welding techniques, the laser cell will be available to an estimated 60 students per year. The cell will be located in the robotics and automation lab of the newly expanded space.

The college’s 35,000 square-foot welding expansion – made possible in part by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration – has resulted in a 55,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that will enable enrollment of up to 60 more students annually. There are currently about 350 welding students.

“For generations, Penn College has been preparing welding students to be tomorrow makers within industry,” said Elizabeth A. Biddle, director of corporate relations at Penn College. “Our graduates are in such demand because of our unique mix of classroom instruction and hands-on work. We are thankful for Laserline’s generosity, which will allow us to incorporate laser welding in the students’ project-based learning experiences.”

“As a leading manufacturer of high power diode lasers for industrial applications, we are honored to provide Penn College with one of our lasers to enable students’ hands-on experiences in the exciting field of laser welding. We are happy to provide an environment and help students to broaden their know-how and expertise in a wider spectrum,” said Wolfgang Todt, vice president of U.S. operations at Laserline Inc.

Laserline is the U.S. subsidiary of Laserline GmbH, founded in 1997 and based in Mülheim-Kärlich, Germany.

Penn College offers a bachelor’s degree in welding and fabrication engineering technology, associate degrees in welding technology and metal fabrication technology, and a certificate in welding.

For information about those majors and other programs offered by the college’s School of Industrial, Computing & Engineering Technologies, call 570-327-4520.

For information on Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.