$27 million investment for an AM lab
The University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada is leading the way for educational institutions with their latest investment in 3D printing technology. On Wednesday May 24, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) announced their investment of $8.9 million, with $6.2 million already provided to the school from the Government of Ontario. In total, the school has received $27 million of investment to help bring their additive manufacturing lab to life.
By investing in an additive manufacturing lab, the university is hoping to promote industrial additive manufacturing through their 18 new partnerships, the research that will be conducted in the lab, as well as by creating 80 new jobs in manufacturing and technology.
Two out of several metal 3D printers that were bought thanks the the funding. Photo// Flora Pan/CBC)
The lab will be one of the 10 largest university-based additive manufacturing facilities in the world, with a fully equipped lab that will focus on developing future processes within metal 3D printing, using innovative sensors to print with metal, creating quality assurance software, and improving machine intelligence.
“Additive manufacturing is poised to fundamentally change the way things are made,” explains Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice chancellor at the University of Waterloo. “Fueled by a culture of innovation and backed by broad expertise in the advanced manufacturing sector, we look forward to playing a key role with our partners in unlocking the potential of this exciting technology.”
Photo// 570 News – Erin Anderson
Those in Ontario see this new additive manufacturing lab as the future for keeping Ontario competitive in manufacturing as well as aiding in the progression of the region’s economy. With no set date for the opening of the lab, those locally and around the world are anxious to see what future innovations in additive manufacturing will be made thanks to this lab.
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