Kimberly-Clark donation assists PJC program

Published or Revised July 13, 2017

The Kimberly-Clark plant in Paris has donated equipment that will enable the Electromechanical Technology Department at Paris Junior College to expand its training on programmable logic controllers (PLC). The components, valued at approximately $7,000, will allow "Remote I/O" (remote input and output modules) to be added to the existing PLC equipment. "We are so appreciative of this donation," said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. "It demonstrates the partnership we have with Kimberly-Clark in keeping current with technology. That in turn assists PJC in providing the skilled work force Lamar County needs to continue growing." "We take very seriously our responsibility to train our students to go into the plants and be immediately productive," said Electro-Mechanical Technologies instructor Larry Roberts. "To accomplish this, we must have the same high-tech equipment that is being used in the local plants. This donation by Kimberly-Clark has allowed us to do just that. "We must also have instructors with extensive knowledge of the technology being used. We are very fortunate to have Patrick O'Connor as an adjunct instructor teaching the advanced PLC classes," Roberts added. "Patrick saw the need to expand our training and approached the local Kimberly Clark plant manager about donating the equipment. We are grateful to Patrick for taking the initiative in acquiring this equipment and to Kimberly-Clark Plant Manager Phillip Senn for approving the donation." "With the additional equipment donated by Kimberly-Clark," said O'Connor, "we will be able to expand the capability of the Electro-Mechanical Systems course. This will include remote I/O operations, additional configuration options, and scheduling of networks. "Remote I/O networks include both Ethernet and ControlNet. In addition, the course will include more complex programming, the ability to have students trace information through these complex networks, and offer options for troubleshooting scenarios." For more information on the program, contact Charlie Hodgkiss, Division Chair, Manufacturing Technology, 903.782.0464 or chodgkiss@parisjc.edu..