The Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at the University of New Brunswick has received a major financial shot in the arm.
It’s getting $5 million from the federal government through ACOA and $450,000 from the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation to help with research and to buy a next-generation 3D printer.
Dr. Mohsen Mohammadi is the centre’s director and tells our newsroom what this money means for them.
“This funding is going to play a very important role to bringing new students, post-doctoral fellows and researchers, and the expertise we are lacking in Atlantic Canada, to UNB,” says Mohammadi.
Wayne Long has announced $5 million through ACOA for UNB’s Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. pic.twitter.com/hSoXCj4bBP
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) July 25, 2018
The centre wants to become the first in Canada to use 3D metal printing to build certified parts for the marine industry, which it says will revolutionize marine manufacturing in Canada and help the industry address issues such as corrosion, fatigue, and harsh temperatures.
Mohammadi says their focus is on metals they’re not as familiar with — such as aluminum, titanium and steels — to see if they can be used for specific applications in the marine, defense and aerospace industries.
Cathy Simpson, chair of the board of directors for the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation, tells us this is one of the most exciting initiatives they have seen recently.
“3D printing, marine additive manufacturing, there’s a clear pathway of how it’s transforming the way we’re working,” says Simpson. “How could it not be a success.”
Companies like Mitacs, Irving Shipbuilding Inc. and Lockheed Martin Canada have already provided nearly $3 million in support for this project.
The New Brunswick Innovation Foundation has also chipped in $450,000. Here’s board chair Cathy Simpson. pic.twitter.com/aZTaTH5yDE
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) July 25, 2018
