Andrew Orr, VP Management and Sales, Penna Flame Industries

For small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs), introducing robotics into a high-mix, hands-on environment presents unique challenges—ranging from low-volume custom parts and heavy part geometries to tight distortion controls and process repeatability. Commercial heat treatment is traditionally viewed as a manual, experience-heavy trade. However, over the past two decades, Zelienople, PA-based Penna Flame Corporation has disrupted that narrative by integrating six generations of robotics into their flame and induction hardening operations.

In this session, Vice President Andrew Orr shares Penna Flame’s twenty-year automation journey. From installing their first robotic cell in 2008 to deploying multi-axis collaborative robots (cobots) for complex surface hardening, Andrew will break down the real-world obstacles encountered along the way—including handling varied customer part tolerances, workforce adaptation, and navigating capital investments.

Attendees will learn how Penna Flame leveraged technical support and "de-risking" collaboration through the Pittsburgh-based ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute to evaluate and deploy increasingly complex automated tasks. Andrew will offer practical key takeaways for job shop owners looking to modernize their floor operations, streamline setup times, and build an agile, automation-ready workforce.

SPEAKER BIO

Andrew Orr represents the third generation of leadership at Penna Flame Corporation, a family-owned commercial heat treating facility based in Zelienople, Pennsylvania. Growing up in the business founded by his grandfather in 1968, Andrew learned the fundamentals of flame hardening on the shop floor, even focusing his high school senior project on the discipline.

After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Andrew joined Penna Flame full-time as the Safety and Quality Control Manager. Combining his hands-on technical knowledge of metallurgy with formal business training, he transitioned through key sales and customer service roles before being appointed Vice President. Recognized as one of Heat Treat Today's "40 Under 40" leaders, Andrew oversees strategic initiatives, operations, and the continuous adoption of surface-hardening technologies. Over the past 20 years, he has spearheaded the integration of six advanced robotic systems—working alongside partners like the Pittsburgh ARM Institute to transform a traditional, hands-on commercial heat treat shop into an industry benchmark for automated precision and quality.