UNB launches Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence
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Additive Manufacturing DefenseThe nearly $5-million research centre is a result of a partnership between University of New Brunswick, Custom Fabricators and Machinists (CFM), and community colleges in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The University of New Brunswick (UNB) is launching the first-of-its-kind Canadian research centre dedicated to 3D metal printing for the marine and defence industries.
Dr. Mohsen Mohammadi, director of the Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence and master’s student Carter Baxter examine a 3D printed metal component. Rob Blanchard/UNB
The Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton will combine research, commercialization and workforce development and training.
The nearly $5-million research centre is a result of a partnership between University of New Brunswick, Custom Fabricators and Machinists (CFM), and community colleges in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The project is currently funded by Lockheed Martin Aeronautics and Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
“The work that will be done at the Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence will develop exciting new technologies and bring them to market,” explains Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. “The investments by Irving Shipbuilding and by Lockheed Martin show how we can leverage military procurements to generate support for the new ideas and highly skilled workforce that will sustain our marine sector for years to come.”
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ $2.7-million contribution is a part of its industrial and regional benefits obligation to the federal government pursuant to its contract for the CP-140 Aurora Structural Life Extension Project.
Irving Shipbuilding’s $750,000 investment is a part of its Value Proposition commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS). Irving Shipbuilding’s investment led to additional public and private sector funding and in-kind support.
“Initiatives like the Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence have the potential to change and advance the face of shipbuilding and other sectors in Canada,” says Kevin McCoy, President of Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
The centre is dedicated to using 3D metal printing for manufacturing certified, custom parts for the marine sector. This initiative will enable New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada to develop a core expertise in this emerging technology and help create the foundation for next-gen technologies.
The research and development component of the initiative will be run by Dr. Mohsen Mohammadi, director of the Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UNB, with CFM partnering on commercialization. The New Brunswick Community College, Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick and the Nova Scotia Community College, will lead workforce development and training.
