The University of Waterloo is receiving an investment of up to $8.9 million to establish a 3D printing lab — also known as the Multi-scale Additive Manufacturing Lab — through FedDev Ontario’s Investing in Commercial Partners Initiative. Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, made the announcement on Wednesday.
FedDev Ontario said the investment will support up to 18 new partnerships, help commercialize up to 21 advanced manufacturing technologies, and create over 80 jobs.
“From machine design to the additive fabrication process to final part quality, Canadian manufacturers now have a research hub to help them adopt end-to-end process innovation on their shop floors.”
– Pearl Sullivan
Specifically, the 3D printing lab will invite industry leaders spanning from sectors like mining, aerospace, and automotive, to create solutions in 3D printing that will help Canadian manufacturers adopt new technologies. Students from the University of Waterloo will also gain job opportunities through the lab.
“The University of Waterloo is a leader in additive manufacturing, and with the help of today’s investment will be able to further drive innovation and cultivate strategic partnerships with private sector partners,” said Chagger. “We are proud to work with Canada’s manufacturers as they work to adopt new technologies in their processes.”
According to FedDev Ontario, the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab will be “Canada’s first major advanced manufacturing commercialization centre.”
“Through the support of the Government of Canada, this state-of-the-art lab will merge high technology with additive manufacturing,” said Pearl Sullivan, dean of engineering at the University of Waterloo. “From machine design to the additive fabrication process to final part quality, Canadian manufacturers now have a research hub to help them adopt end-to-end process innovation on their shop floors.”
FedDev Ontario’s investment towards a 3D lab comes on the heels of two recent funding announcements, where FedDev Ontario said it is investing up to $600,000 into Peterborough-based biotech startup Noblegen, and also announced that it will dedicate up to $1.98 million to the York Entrepreneurship Development Institute.
