Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (WAMIC)

Niagara College, Welland, Ontario
What the facility does

Specializes in automation, reverse engineering, process improvement, 3D engineering design, laser technologies, additive manufacturing; applied R&D from concept to prototype, to trials and testing. 

Areas of expertise

Niagara College’s Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre team specializes in engineering design, 3D laser scanning technologies, lean manufacturing processes and additive manufacturing. We work with Southern Ontario businesses to bring ideas to life, from concept through to developing working prototypes, and utilizing leading-edge technology, including equipment and software.

Research services
  • Competitive market analysis
  • Concept ideation and design review
  • Design services
  • Fabrication, prototyping and installation services
  • Non-destructive inspection (NDI)
  • Performance monitoring and management
  • 3D printing
  • Product testing
  • Proof of concept
  • Rapid prototyping/3D printing
  • Technology and workflow consultation
  • Testing services
  • 3D laser scanning
  • Commercialization referrals
  • Components/parts fabrication
  • FDM materials testing
  • Field trials/simulation
  • Ingredient selection and recommendations
  • Market analysis
  • Problem solving
  • Project management
  • Business development and market research services
Sectors of application
  • Aerospace and satellites
  • Automotive
  • Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Manufacturing and processing
EquipmentFunction
FARO Edge (probe)Working volume: 9 ft ø sphere; Accuracy: ± 0.0016 in.
FARO Laser Line Probe (Blue LLP)Accuracy: ± 0.001 in.
FARO Vantage TrackerWorking volume: 525 ft ø sphere; Accuracy: 0.0006 in. @ 2 m
FARO Focus 3DS 120Working Volume: 785 ft ø sphere; Ranging Error: ± 0.079 in.
DJI Inspire 1 Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Max Image Size: 4000 x 3000; Max Video Size: UHD (4K)
3D Systems' Geomagic Design XConversion of scan data to intelligent CAD models
3D Systems' Geomagic Control X3D Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) inspection software used to compare as-is to nominal
FARO CAM2 Measure 10All-purpose inspection software
InnovMetric PolyWorks ® Very versatile 3D Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) inspection tool
BuildITVery versatile 3D Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) inspection tool
EdgeWiseAdvanced feature recognition from point cloud data for BIM applications
Autodesk ReCap 360Conversion of photographs to point clouds (photogrammetry); Basic stitching of point cloud data
Fortus 400mcBuild Dimensions: 16 x 14 x 16 in.
Fortus 900mcBuild Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 36 in.
Connex 1 Objet 260255 x 252 x 200 mm
Insight/Control CentreTool path creation/optimization, and printer management for Fortus machines;
Autodesk Inventor 
Autodesk Fusion 
Autodesk Factory Design Suite 
  • Brilliant Photonics
  • Vendalite
  • Decap IV
  • Laryngoscope