WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Eleven registrants from seven companies in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Illinois attended a three-day Plastics Materials, Processing and Testing Workshop offered through Pennsylvania College of Technology’s internationally known Plastics Innovation & Resource Center (PIRC).
The summer workshop, one of several that annually draw industry professionals to the college's main campus, allowed participants to explore the world of polymer science by learning about the five major industrial processes used in plastics manufacturing — extrusion, injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, and rotational molding — as well as the science behind polymers.
The well-received mix of classroom lectures and interactive lab sessions was taught by alumnus/instructor Joshua J. Rice. Hands-on instruction showed how such properties as melt index, tensile strength and impact resistance are determined.
Among the testimonials from plastics professionals:
— “I learned more about different types of materials and their principles and how they work. Also, injection molding troubleshooting with fill/pack and hold.” — Tracy E. Weidner, injection mold mechanic, B. Braun Medical, Allentown.
— “It was great coming back to my alma mater to further develop my knowledge and skills in my career.” — Catherine Weatherman, product and process engineer/quality assurance, Cardinal Systems Inc., Schuylkill Haven (a 2019 graduate in engineering design technology).
To learn more about the PIRC — among the leading centers in the nation for plastics research, development and education — visit www.pct.edu/pirc or call 570-321-5533.
Penn College is one of six institutions nationwide offering plastics degrees that are accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. In addition to the bachelor’s degree in plastics and polymer engineering technology, students may seek an associate degree in plastics and polymer technology.
Information about those majors and others offered by the college’s School of Engineering Technologies is available by visiting www.pct.edu/et or calling 570-327-4520.
For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.