Advanced manufacturing research facility

National Research Council Canada, Centreport, Manitoba
What the facility does

Operates as a hub for the integration and demonstration of advanced technologies targeting the sustainability of the manufacturing sector.

Areas of expertise

The National Research Council Canada’s (NRC) advanced manufacturing research facility in Winnipeg, acts as a gateway to Canada-wide NRC expertise and facilities in materials and processes, engineering, artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics to address complex challenges in advanced manufacturing development and commercialization through research and technology development (R&TD) spanning three core platform technologies:

  • Additive manufacturing, including digital twinning and machine learning, in support of increasing manufacturing productivity, creating smarter products and improving sustainability.
  • Sustainable food packaging and reclamation of products from biomass transformation, used to develop new products with potential for biomass and recycled plastics reclamation.
  • Robotic manufacturing via 3D printing of polymers and composites to enable the application of industrial robots to low volume, highly customized manufacturing operations.

The facility supports the development of a pipeline of new, high-value technological solutions available for transition to regional and national industrial innovation partners, enabling products, devices and systems that together create economic value for Canada and more sustainable solutions.

Research services
  • Metal additive manufacturing (binder jetting and laser powder bed fusion)
  • Advanced robotic polymer fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printing
  • Biodegradation assessment (aerobic, anaerobic, aqueous)
  • Mechanical testing (tensile, flexural, compression, hardness)
  • Optical imaging
Sectors of application
  • Automotive
  • Clean technology
  • Manufacturing and processing
  • Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)
  • Transportation
Specialized labEquipmentFunction
Pilot PlantExOne X1 25PRO 3D Printing Machine and peripheralsAdditive manufacturing (metal binder jetting technology).
Pilot PlantTRUMPF TruPrint 5000 printing system and peripheralsAdditive manufacturing (metal 3D printing, laser powder bed fusion).
Pilot PlantABB IRB 4400/60 industrial robot (arm) and ABB IRBP A-500 positionerRobotic manufacturing/3D printing, enclosed cell.
Respirometer LabECHO Instruments ER24/1.4 Respirometers (3)Biodegradability system. Measures decomposition rate of samples in aerobic, anaerobic, and aqueous environments.
Metrology LabMitutoyo CRYSTA-Apex S7106 coordinate measurement machine (CMM)Precise, contactless measurement of parts with laser line scanner. Base material: steel.
Mechanical Testing LabMTS Criterion C45.305 (300kN) Electromechanical Universal Test SystemMechanical testing of samples, determine yield strength and elastic modulus.
Mechanical Testing LabMTS Landmark 370.10 (100kN) Servohydraulic Test SystemMechanical testing of samples, determine yield strength, elastic modulus, fatigue limit.
Wet LabUIC Inc. CM135 TC/TOC AnalyzerMeasure total carbon (TC) and total organic carbon (TOC) in solid and liquid samples.
Wet LabUIC Inc. CM245 Carbon Analyzer (TC/TIC)Measure total carbon (TC) and total inorganic carbon (TIC) in solid and liquid samples.
Microscopy LabZwickRoell ZHU250CL Universal Hardness TesterDetermine hardness of samples.
Microscopy LabZwickRoell ZHU750top topLine universal hardness testing machineDetermine hardness of samples.
Microscopy LabEMCO-TEST DuraScan 80 model G5 Micro Hardness TesterDetermine hardness of samples.
Microscopy LabLeica DM6 M Upright Materials MicroscopeView grain structure and other microscopic properties of samples.
Microscopy LabOlympus SZX16 Advanced Stereo Microscope with SC50 CameraView grain structure and other microscopic properties of samples.
Microscopy LabOlympus MX63 Semiconductor and Flat Panel Display Inspection Microscope with SC50 CameraView grain structure and other microscopic properties of samples.

 

  • University of Manitoba
  • Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech)
TitleURL

Innovating in the Heartland:

The National Research Council of Canada is increasing opportunities for collaboration to build on Manitoba’s reputation for innovation.

https://prairiemanufacturer.ca/2020/03/04/part-1-in-a-4-part-series-focused-on-nrc-technology-and-innovation/
Leveraging expertise: Research facility to focus on digital manufacturing, sustainable packaging.https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2021/11/05/leveraging-expertise
NRC's Advanced Manufacturing program: helping Canadian businesses meet Industry 4.0 challenges.https://nrc.canada.ca/en/stories/nrcs-advanced-manufacturing-program-helping-canadian-businesses-meet-industry-40-challenges
AI helps NRC researchers find solutions to complex vehicle corrosion challenges.https://nrc.canada.ca/en/stories/ai-helps-nrc-researchers-find-solutions-complex-vehicle-corrosion-challenges