IMI: A Strategic Partner to the Aerospace Industry

The aerospace industry is one of the key sectors of the Canadian economy, with nearly 1,000 companies employing some 80,000 people, and total gross revenues of $16.5 billion, combined with R&D investments of $1 billion in 1998, and exports of 70% of its production to the world markets, as well as being very integrated with international aerospace industries and defence. To remain a world leader, especially in the new aircraft design sector, and to ensure its viability, competitiveness and growth on world markets, the Canadian aerospace industry must continue to increase its R&D and technology innovation efforts. For aircraft and sub-system manufacturers to remain competitive, the secret lies in their technologies and their ability to use and adapt them, and to improve their processes.

Moreover, to reduce the costs and risks associated with developing the required technologies, companies are increasingly relying on collaborative efforts, partnerships and strategic alliances.

The major technology challenges in this sector are:

• Integrated and multidisciplinary design and optimization methods
• A reduction in production costs and cycle time
• Use of new technologies and new materials
• The adoption of advanced techniques for maintenance, inspection and repair
• High performance, quality and on-going improvement of products
• Environmental protection

IMI, which has the most modern facilities, technology and expertise, is able to provide all the necessary support to the Canadian aerospace industry to help it meet the oncoming challenges with success. Listed among our technologies that are specifically related to this sector are:

• Thermoplastic Composites
• Ultrasound-lasers
• Numerical Modelling of Processes
• Metal Casting Expertise
• Surface Technologies

As well, IMI's relevant and proven partnership formulas, combined with its proximity to the nerve centres of activity for this sector (Québec and Ontario), bestow upon the Institute the ability, adaptability and flexibility to collaborate directly with the sector's stakeholders, and to the needs of this industry.

For the past few years, IMI has been conducting important R&D programs in collaboration with the Canadian aerospace industry. To list but a few, we have:

• The establishment of a Surface Engineering Technology Group - SUFTEC, whose aim is to facilitate the acquisition of advanced surface coating technologies;
• Work leading to the development of new and improved surface coatings;
• Research into thermoplastic and thermosetting materials;
• The control and inspection of materials and surfaces using ultrasound-laser techniques that have been instrumental in many projects;
• The replacement of chrome coatings that cover aircraft parts.

As well, the Institute is now looking at other R&D activity projects, such as:

• The replacement of cadmium coatings, which is an environmentally harmful coating;
• The development of electrocomposite coatings;
• The implementation of a new Electron-Beam baking method (reticulation) for thermosetting composites, materials used extensively in the aerospace industry.