Hypertherm, a U.S. based manufacturer of industrial cutting systems and software, is now accepting applications for its Spark Something Great educational grant program. In total, Hypertherm plans to award a Powermax45® XP plasma system and deliver in-person training to 12 North American schools.
The Spark Something Great grant program is now its seventh year. The grant is meant to support the next generation of welders and metal fabricators by making the newest generation of plasma cutting equipment and standardized instruction available to schools. To date, the company has awarded systems to 64 schools. This year, applications are due on or before April 2 with grant decisions communicated by May 3. More information, including instructions for applying, is available at www.hypertherm.com/grant.
“Although many programs are limited to online instruction only because of the pandemic, we want to ensure teachers have the resources they need to make up lost ground once students return to the classroom,” said Betsy Van Duyne, who manages Hypertherm’s educational program. “This grant will provide 12 schools with a highly capable system, giving teachers the flexibility to teach both handheld and mechanized cutting, as well as applications such as gouging, flush cutting and marking with air plasma.”
In addition to the grant program, Hypertherm will continue to make all ten hours of its AWS SENSE approved Plasma Cutting Technology: Theory and Practice curriculum available for free download to teachers. The curriculum covers the plasma cutting process, common industrial uses for plasma systems, the differences between various cutting methods, safety procedures, as well as proper setup and operation. Electronic versions of each lesson, a facilitator’s guide, student workbook, and supporting reference material are all available at www.hypertherm.com/plasmaeducation.
Hypertherm engineers and manufactures industrial cutting products used by companies around the world to build ships, airplanes, and railcars, construct steel buildings, manufacture heavy equipment, and more. Its products include cutting systems, CNCs, and software trusted for performance and reliability that result in increased productivity and profitability for hundreds of thousands of businesses. Founded in 1968 and based in New Hampshire, Hypertherm is a 100 percent Associate owned company, employing more than 1,800 Associates, with operations and partner representation worldwide. Learn more at www.hypertherm.com.
