Grant: Applied Research Tools and Instruments Grants

For quality of manufactured goods and to improve their operational efficiency, dimensional inspection and reverse engineering hold critical importance ensuring the products meet design specifications and dimensional tolerances. As Manitoba is a hub for the manufacturing industry, Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) has a dedicated Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) to support industry, providing innovative solutions to the real industrial challenges. Acquiring precise geometrical measurements and adherence to specified tolerances in manufacturing is a key area of focus for TACAM, identifying the risk of defects and ensuring consistency in production. Given the industrial needs in Manitoba, TACAM has considered three-dimensional (3D) scanning as an inspection tool for verifying the proof-of-concept prototypes and processes. However, the current capacity is not sufficient to meet the diverse scanning needs of our industrial partners. The existing X-Ray computed tomography (CT) based scanner is expensive to operate and has a limited scan volume. The other scanning system that TACAM possesses, has limited capabilities in terms of resolution, precision, and portability. Therefore, the college plans to acquire a lightweight, compact, ultra-high precision 3D measurement equipment to support digital inspection, 3D modeling, reverse engineering and data generation for different applications. For instance, for AR/VR. The requested equipment is a comprehensive system including 1) a handheld Creaform HandySCAN Black for scanning large objects, 2) an Artec Micro II 3D scanner to accurately scan small parts with detailed geometry, 3) Geomagic software for direct manipulation of 3D scan data and conversion into useful digital representation in SOLIDWORKS, 4) SOLIDWORKS for re-designing mechanical parts and assemblies using digital models, 5) a high-performance laptop with monitor screens for data post-processing and analysis. The acquisition of this equipment has a significant role in improving product design and manufacturing. It is a key step towards transitioning to digital manufacturing. From designing medical devices to pharmaceutical product design, it would promote the adoption of sustainable practices within Canadian industries.