NRC Integrated Manufacturing Technologies Institute (NRC-IMTI)

Eligibility Criteria

• carries out strategic and commercially-relevant research in systems simulation and control, and in production technologies;
• pursues the development and application of virtual manufacturing and precision, and freeform fabrication in support of manufacturing objectives;
• works with regional leaders in the development of innovation systems and clusters.

Summary

Systems Simulation and Controls Research focuses on the development of tools and technologies to assist Canadian manufacturers, their clients, suppliers and subcontractors in the following areas:

• concurrent engineering;
• distributed manufacturing;
• modelling and visualisation.

This complete collaboration to develop a product or equipment, from the beginning to the end of a project, is based upon the ability to re-engineer the design and manufacturing processes, share information and validate the concept in a virtual or digital environment. This new technology area is giving Canadian companies the advantage they need to develop high quality products faster, because they can validate not only the product under specific conditions, but they can virtually manufacture these products. They can simulate the manufacturing processes, detect design flaws and visualise the simulation results and scientific data on computers in different locations simultaneously.

Production Technologies Research focuses on laser-based manufacturing. Several methods of freeform manufacturing are being developed at the Institute such as:

• material addition processes;
• precision fabrication processes;
• shape transfer processes.

Manufacturers constantly seek to increase the productivity, versatility and flexibility of their manufacturing processes. The use of new materials that are difficult or impossible to manufacture using conventional processes can also confer competitive advantages. Also, as lasers are highly controllable devices, they lend themselves well to be incorporated into manufacturing systems. This creates an opportunity for Canada to develop new manufacturing processes, machines and systems that incorporate lasers and rapid tooling processes. Drawing on these capabilities, NRC-IMTI can assemble multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists with the expertise to serve the needs and objectives of its clients and collaborators.

NRC-IMTI is located on the Research Park of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario.

Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Contact(s):
See National Contact.