Quebec research consortium launches additive mfg. project

Montreal, Canada –The Consortium for Research and Innovation in Aerospace in Quebec (CRIAQ) has launched its 100th project entitled Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Aerospace Components. This project aims to generate knowledge about design, transformation, and high-strength aluminum alloy properties for additive manufacturing of aerospace components.

 

"Additive manufacturing is considered as the third manufacturing revolution. It is actually a 3D printing technique to print a component layer by layer based on computer modeling. The additive manufacturing is currently experiencing a vast global widespread fascination," said Mathieu Brochu, a professor at McGill University and project academic leader.

 

"Training through research, technological development and basic knowledge are among CRIAQ's priorities," added Clément Fortin, president & CEO of CRIAQ. "The project will allow the training of 10 students (six PhDs, one MSc, one post-doc, two interns, and one research associate) who will become highly qualified personnel to serve our industry and our society."

 

The project, also known by its CRIAQ identifier MANU-601, is an example of the not-for-profit consortium’s collaborative research. It brings together 13 partners including eight industrial partners which are the main OEMs, intermediate members and SMEs, as well as four research institutes.

 

"My first experience with rapid prototyping was 15 years ago during the manufacturing of the international space station's robotic arm components. Due to technological advancements in additive manufacturing, we will now be able to produce flight parts," said Jean-Paul Langevin, an engineer at MDA Corp. and project industrial leader.

 

This major project will contribute to strengthen Canada’s aerospace industry competitiveness and will also benefit the supply chain since it will generate direct production of aerospace components. 

 

"Over the years, the Québec Government, through its agencies and programs, has supported CRIAQ and has ensured its continuity. We are proud to be associated to CRIAQ's success which is a model for collaboration and exchange between industries, universities and research centers," said Jean Belzile, the Assistant Deputy Minister of General Office for Research, Innovation, Science and Society of the Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche, de la Science et de la Technologie.

 

This project also involves partners located in Saskatchewan (Canadian Light Source) and in Ontario (Liburdi), and is in line with the new dynamic that aims at developing a national aerospace research and collaboration network based on the collaborative research foundations of CRIAQ.