Grant: Alliance Grants

The Canadian Machine Manufacturing industry is experiencing a boom due to reshoring, wherein industry move their manufacturing operations from international locations to Canada. The prediction is that the sector will see an annual growth of 5.5% in the coming years [1,2]. Although, the sector is on the verge of growth it faces some challenges such as lack of skilled labor, lack of labor with manufacturing knowledge and lack of youngsters vying to build a career in the domain. Such challenges could derail the potential growth. Recent developments in technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computer Vision offer a potential solution. The applicants have tested the feasibility of: developing an AI method that can sense anomalies on a metal cutting machine; developing a technique which can process a solid model of the part to be machined and identify machining features, tools required and other machining parameters automatically; and developing a camera based system that observes the machining process and detects anomalies. The current project is aimed at developing these methods and techniques and implementing them for use in the Canadian industry. With a boom of on-shoring in the offing, in the machine manufacturing sector, the above development will result in a strong growth - a great economic and competitive value to this Canadian sector. This project will contribute to the training of 9 HQP: 3 PhD, 4 MASc and 1 undergraduate engineering co-ops. This work will be done jointly with Elliot Matsuura Canada Inc. and HURCO Inc.