FedDev Ontario invests in Waterloo-based additive manufacturing consortium

From: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

News release

$8.2 million for consortia to help SMEs accelerate new technologies and integrate into new supply chains, while training the next generation of skilled workers

July 7, 2021 – Waterloo, Ontario 

Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry. With applications across sectors including aerospace, healthcare, automotive and more, additive manufacturing can offer a quicker, more efficient and environmentally-friendly way to prototype and manufacture a range of products. As this industry continues to grow, it presents an opportunity for skilled jobs and economic growth here in southern Ontario.

The Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Lab, housed at the University of Waterloo, is Canada’s most comprehensive academic research and development facility for next-generation metal additive manufacturing. With world-class equipment and the largest team of experts in the country, MSAM is a space for companies to adopt new technologies and innovative products, while also advancing technology through ongoing research.

Today, the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Member of Parliament for Waterloo, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, announced a FedDev Ontario investment of $8.2 million for the University of Waterloo to build on this foundation and establish the Additive Manufacturing Alliance.

A collaboration between post-secondary institutions and major industry partners, the AMA will help businesses across southern Ontario overcome barriers to adopting cutting-edge advanced manufacturing technologies.

Providing access to the MSAM’s specialized metal 3D printing equipment and expertise, the AMA will help companies grow and move their technologies from prototype to production-ready. It will also facilitate industry connections to integrate businesses into established supply chains and develop a talent pool of next generation additive manufacturing workers through training and upskilling.

The project will support more than 90 businesses to commercialize nearly 30 advanced manufacturing technologies, create and maintain over 275 jobs and provide training and outreach opportunities for about 1,500 students, research associates and industry personnel. It will also expand MSAM’s geographical reach beyond Kitchener-Waterloo and the Greater Toronto Area, with new participating companies from across southwestern Ontario.

This investment will help to make Canada a leader in tomorrow’s manufacturing technology.

Quotes

“With its cutting-edge research facility and world-class expertise, the University of Waterloo has become a global leader in additive manufacturing. Through collaboration, the new Additive Manufacturing Alliance will help businesses accelerate growth by adopting advanced manufacturing technologies into their operations and creating good jobs in our community, while also providing training and upskilling opportunities to prepare workers for the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow.”
- The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth and Member of Parliament for Waterloo

“The manufacturing sector is at the heart of many well-paying jobs in communities across Canada. While we work to finish the fight against the global pandemic, we are also focused on the future, and on embracing next-generation technologies to build forward. The investment in the University of Waterloo’s AMA will help to create and maintain over 275 jobs, and through training opportunities, will help the workers of tomorrow succeed.”
- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario 

“This funding is instrumental in capitalizing on an unprecedented interest in additive manufacturing tech adoption in Canada. It will be used to scale up research and development activities and move them into more mature stages of the product development cycle and stimulate technology transfer to achieve tangible economic benefits for SME partners.”
- Mihaela Vlasea, Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo

“This FedDev Ontario investment will help to engage and train a substantial number of companies in environmentally sustainable manufacturing opportunities offered by additive manufacturing to solidify Ontario’s additive manufacturing green supply chain and industry ecosystem.”
- Ehsan Toyserkani, Professor, Canada Research Chair in Additive Manufacturing, Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo

Quick facts

  • AMA will connect participants from academia, government labs, as well as companies from the aerospace, energy, defence, nuclear, automotive, communication sectors and more. 

  • In May 2017, FedDev Ontario announced $8.9 million for the University of Waterloo to establish the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab (MSAM). To date, the lab has supported 25 companies to commercialize more than 30 new products, services, and processes, trained more than 50 highly qualified personnel in the next generation of AM innovations, created and maintained 115 jobs, and enabled industry to pivot towards increased sales from technologies developed collaboratively.

  • In the fight against COVID-19, MSAM shifted production focus to 3D-printed medical devices and supplies, including face shield parts for frontline workers and patients. The team is also part of a global innovation challenge to develop a simple, low-cost ventilator that meets the needs of COVID-19 patients. In addition, MSAM participated in focus sessions on supply chain and engaged in networking to facilitate agile crisis response.

  • Since November 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested over $170 million in more than 150 projects in Waterloo Census Division towards total project costs of over $490 million.

Associated links

Contacts

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages
catherine.mounier-desrochers@canada.ca

Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@canada.ca

Stay connected

Website: www.FedDevOntario.gc.ca

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