Erie, Pa. — The American Injection Molding (AIM) Institute continues to teach the art of injection molding.
More than 3,000 students have taken at least one course in person or online at Erie, Pa.-based AIM since it opened in 2015. More than 6,000 courses have been completed. The institute was originated by Plastics Hall of Fame Member John Beaumont, who taught plastics courses for 25 years at Penn State Erie and also founded his own Erie-based injection molding technology business.
"We offer hands-on, specific process training for injection molders," Director David Hoffman said at the Beaumont Executive Summit, held Sept. 25 in Erie. AIM students do a combination of classroom work and work on injection molding machines and other equipment.
The institute provides instruction in plastic materials, mold design, part design and injection molding. It also includes molding math, which Hoffman described as "math with a purpose." In 2020, AIM began offering online courses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost 200 students have completed AIM's 10-month PTE program. The PTE program is "like a mini-plastics degree," Hoffman said. This year, AIM started a pre-apprentice program with Vernon Regional Adult Based Education in Vernon, Conn. The program is designed to grow an interest in manufacturing for GED and high school students.
AIM's plastics process technician apprentice programs are registered with the state of Pennsylvania. The institute is accredited by ANAB — the largest accreditation board in the U.S. — and has drawn students from all over the country, Hoffman said. The regional Keystone Community Education Council also provides support to AIM.
Credits from AIM can be applied at Penn West University, which was created in July from the merger of Clarion University, Edinboro University and California University of Pennsylvania.
AIM has grown to include a staff of 12 — including four instructors — using four classrooms and four training rooms. The institute's two-year apprentice program is in its fifth year and has provided training to almost 50 students.