Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

The goal of this proposal is to establish a new, high-performance 3D printing capacity at Sheridan College’s Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing. The advent of smart manufacturing, or Industry 4.0, is poised to transform factory floors and Canada’s place in the global market. Smart manufacturing encompasses new, technologically-driven approaches to product design and production that leverage advanced analytics and connectivity, artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced engineering tools. 3D printing, in particular, is a core Industry 4.0 technology that allows companies to undertake rapid prototyping, decentralized production, customized robotics and automation manufacturing solutions. The Centre for Intelligent Manufacturing operates one of the largest fleets of 3D printers in the Western Greater Toronto Area; however, for a growing segment of its clients, the lack of 3D printing capacity for high-performance industrial and medical applications has limited their ability to innovate. The requested Fortus 450 3D printer will fill this critical materials gap, and will allow the Centre to offer its clients: 1) high, strength material options, 2) high temperature material options, and 3) biocompatible materials, combined with high precision. These new capabilities are particularly relevant to companies developing medical applications and products for heavy industry. The new 3D printer system is crucial to enabling regional manufacturers to maintain their competitive edge. The Centre is the pre-eminent applied research hub serving the Halton and Peel regions of Southern Ontario and their 72,000+ active businesses, 83% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises. Companies that adopt smart manufacturing techniques report a 10% gain in factory output, factory capacity utilization, and labor productivity. However, most of the small companies that make up Sheridan’s partner community lack the in-house capacity to invest in advanced smart manufacturing techniques, which undermines Canada’s overall manufacturing productivity. Not only will the requested system ensure that the Centre’s partners can remain competitive as they adapt to Industry 4.0, it will allow Sheridan faculty to maintain their expertise at the forefront of technology development, and will arm Sheridan students with robust technical skills that meet the shifting needs of Canadian manufacturing.