Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

The aerospace industry requires that its vehicles are made of lightweight structures that can withstand high vibrations, stresses, and large loads. The efficiency of parts, especially the reduction of the weight of the parts, reduces fuel consumption, pollutant emissions and increases the vehicle's carrying capacity. Working with Horizon Aircraft (an innovative Canadian high-tech aerospace company), Fleming College will investigate the feasibility of using advanced manufacturing methods, such as 3D printing and topology optimization, to produce certain aircraft parts and mechanisms. These processes would enable Horizon Aircraft's aerospace engineers to design and manufacture unique parts with more complex geometries and better strength and reliability, thereby solving design and production challenges. Fleming College researchers will assist the company with topology optimization and finite element analysis of certain aircraft parts and complete a feasibility study on using advanced manufacturing technologies to fabricate those parts. As a result of this project, Horizon Aircraft will have determined the candidate design and modelling technologies that will best suit their needs, thereby increasing their innovation capacity and putting them on-track to complete their ambitious goals.