3D Innovation Lab for Applied Manufacturing

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The St. Clair College applied research program is strongly aligned with the manufacturing industry needs inWindsor-Essex - the largest sector in Windsor-Essex and Canada's most manufacturing intense region. Withthe growth rate of advanced manufacturing rapidly increasing, it is essential that St. Clair College support localbusinesses with regards to innovation and global competitiveness through applied research and studenttraining. We propose to develop a 3D Innovation Lab for Advanced Manufacturing, housed in the Ford Centerfor Excellence in Manufacturing at St. Clair College, that will include 3D printing and 3D scanningcapabilities. 3D printing will provide new applied research project capabilities in advanced manufacturingproduct and process design through rapid prototyping, direct digital manufacturing of end use parts, rapidtooling, and tool, die, and mold design and manufacturing. 3D scanning is a complementary technology to 3Dprinting that will provide new applied research project opportunities in advanced metrology to test theadvantages gained by 3D printing applications. 3D scanning also has inherent advantages in regards to partinspection, reverse engineering, and laser alignments that are highly accurate, efficient, reliable and digitallyintegrated, supporting current industry needs of automation, preventative maintenance, and real-timeself-evaluation of individual processing components. The requested equipment for the 3D Innovation Lab are a3D metal printer and a composite materials (carbon fiber, fibreglass, and kevlar) 3D printer, and a 7-axisrobotic arm with an integrated 3D scanner. The proposed equipment will provide local businesses with theopportunity to take part in applied research projects with low risk capital investment, to help test and justifyfurther 3D printing and 3D scanning technologies adoption, discover technology return on investments, andidentify unique customer value and competitive advantages. St. Clair College's applied research andeducational programs are catalysts to industry innovation and commercialization, and the proposed equipmentwill be essential to regional, and thus national, success in advanced manufacturing innovation.