Today at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) and the Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens’ Services announced support of over $1.9 million for BCIT’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation (CARI) to establish the Advanced Additive Manufacturing Technology Hub (AAMTECH) – an advanced 3D printing prototyping hub. The investment was included as part of an announcement of over $20.8 million benefitting seven Burnaby-based businesses organizations.
Services for industry and training for students
AAMTECH will support industry needs and student training across multiple manufacturing sectors including advanced composites, metals, foods, and bio-manufacturing. The hub will provide the province with specialized additive manufacturing systems, professional design, and engineering services, and allows partners to have hands-on access to the equipment in a single central location.
“Today’s announcement furthers the important work of the BCIT Centre for Applied Research and Innovation – creating practical learning opportunities for BCIT students, while providing practical solutions to industry challenges, said BCIT President, Dr. Jeff Zabudsky. “With the PacifiCan funding for the new Advanced Additive Manufacturing Technology (AAMTECH) 3D Printing Hub, BCIT continues to grow our breadth of support across multiple manufacturing sectors including metals, composites, foods, and bio-manufacturing. Businesses, organizations, and BCIT researchers and students now have a truly state-of-the-art space to build innovation in the 3D-printing arena”
This strategic investment builds on the work already taking place at the Teck Copper Innovation Hub announced earlier this year. The Teck Copper Innovation Hub is a prototyping and design already located within CARI – bringing mining, metals, and healthcare applied research together under one roof. Today’s announcement advances BCIT’s leadership in the 3D printing field —creating an umbrella of innovation under AAMTECH. This centralized facility provides hands-on access for partners as well as an optimal way for students and researchers to learn with state-of-the art equipment.
A centre for research
The goal of the hub is to increase the knowledge base and prototyping capabilities of students, faculty, and industry partners to help commercialize innovative new additive manufacturing products..
BCIT CARI is recognized leader in providing traditional manufacturing design and prototyping services through its MAKE+ applied research group. AAMTECH will build on these capabilities allowing users to compare and contrast the different manufacturing technologies to determine the best manufacturing and production methods for their particular needs.
Key activities for the hub include:
- Education and training of students, faculty, and industry participants in the design for and use of additive manufacturing tools. Key aspects of the educational modules will be design techniques and material properties for additive manufacturing vs. traditional manufacturing techniques.
- Providing design and prototyping services to industry, academia, and other research organizations.
- Hands-on work integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for faculty, students, post-docs, and recent grads (HQP’s), from BCIT and partner organizations – gaining valuable experience with state-of-the-art equipment.
- The creation, combination, and characterization of new addictive manufacturing materials.
- Virtualization of equipment access, knowledge dissemination, and IP sharing with industry.
Read the full news release from the Government of Canada announcing over $20.8 million for businesses and organizations in Burnaby to expand operations and create jobs.
About Applied Research at BCIT
BCIT Applied Research is home to state-of-the-art facilities and specialized experts producing outstanding results for small-to-medium-sized businesses and industry clients. BCIT researchers and research groups have been working with industry clients for 30 years, helping companies and organizations develop new technologies, products and services. The practical solutions range from process improvements for small SMEs to changing provincial building codes for the construction industry to a collaborative research network involving students, researchers, companies and government organizations from across Canada.
BCIT Applied Research is:
- A hands-on experience for students and invaluable to future careers.
- Collaboration between faculty and industry in pursuit of new methodologies and technologies.
- The development of new teaching methods and associated tools.
- A conduit for assisting Canadian companies and communities to innovate for a better economy.
Research activities are a key component of student learning at BCIT, enabling our students to remain at the forefront of technological change, as they meet the needs of industry partners, and maximize the Institute’s impact on emerging technologies.
Find out more about BCIT Applied Research.