Grant: Strategic Network Grants Program

Canada's manufacturing sector is uniquely positioned to lead through innovation in machining technologies. This vision of excellence has been successfully supported through unique scientific expertise and technology transfer of Phase 1 of the CANRIMT Network, with direct impacts in the area of accurate and complete physics-based machining simulation models disseminated to industry in the form of commercial products for 5-axis milling, drilling, turning, and boring. As a result, the world's first comprehensive Virtual Machining Technology software tools for both macro- and micro-machining operations are now in use in Canada's aerospace industry, and are being tested for automotive and machinery manufacturing industries, enabling design and production of high-quality innovative products without costly physical trials. CANRIMT Phase 2 will create a new holistic paradigm which integrates the sensor fused physical machining system with the virtual models of complex machining operations, accomplished through five multidisciplinary Themes: I: Digital machining ; II: Virtual model-assisted machining monitoring and control; III: Machining of composite parts; IV: Adaptive tooling/processes and novel manufacturing processes/applications; and V: Integration of innovative technologies into virtual and physical platforms. Network vision supports Industry 4.0 through the development of intelligent, digital machining systems and factory, enhancing the functionality and accuracy of virtual manufacturing tools in response to existing and emerging demands in Canadian aerospace, automotive, energy, machinery and medical device industries. CANRIMT Phase 2 is expected to train over 85 new graduate students and expert engineers over the next five years through internships at industrial partners' manufacturing facilities and collaborating international research centres. This will facilitate technology transfer, providing significant economic, social and environmental impacts on the machining practices of Canada's manufacturing sector, while keeping Canadian researchers at the forefront of advanced manufacturing world-wide.