Tim Muench
Design & Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Ken Jackson
CEO, VeriGrain
Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Innovative Manufacturing Centre is an unparalleled resource with leading technology and faculty that helps the manufacturing sector adapt to a rapidly-changing world.
Canada can lay claim to a ground-breaking institute producing some of the most advanced technology in the world. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a leader in established and emerging manufacturing methods and technologies. To further solidify its place as a frontrunner in the manufacturing sector, the institute is launching its new Innovative Manufacturing Centre (IMC) at the Regina and Saskatoon campuses.
A leading centre in innovation
“IMC is a virtual umbrella centre that spans four campus locations around the province, with the physical presence being predominantly located on the Saskatoon and Regina campus locations,” explains Tim Muench, Program Head of Design and Manufacturing Engineering Technology at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. “The IMC includes the Biomaterials Testing and Prototyping (B-TAP) facility located in Regina and the Research in Additive Manufacturing and Prototyping (RAMP) facility in Saskatoon. The B-TAP facility offers a range of features, including bioplastic production and expertise, both injection and rotational molding, plus testing capacity, and additional advanced manufacturing equipment in related programs at the Regina campus.
Industry members that want to partner with Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s IMC and the RAMP facility have full access to a range of technologies and experts. Solutions like CNC machining, including a five-axis mill and a live tooling CNC lathe, as well as robots, like welding and collaborative robots, and a robust additive manufacturing (industrial 3D printing) capacity give partners reassurance that all their advanced manufacturing needs can be met.
Incredible collaboration opportunities
“The IMC was established in collaboration with local industry to support applied research to solve industry problems, and at the same time train qualified graduates who have experience using and implementing advanced manufacturing technology,” says Muench. “The RAMP facility has a track record of collaborating with industry to design or redesign products and prototypes, and also to help companies take products through field testing and initial production runs for proof of concept and evaluation of manufacturing automation opportunities.”
The incredible success the IMC has had working with the manufacturing sector on projects attests to its value as a partner. One such example, says Muench, is the work they’ve done with VeriGrain. “VeriGrain has developed a grain sampling system that produces statistically valid samples of grain as it’s loaded from harvest equipment, bulk transport containers, or bins so that both the buyer and seller have confidence in the quality and receive a fair price. The product is currently undergoing field testing with several large multinational corporations that buy and sell vast quantities of grain globally.”
Ken Jackson, CEO of VeriGrain, has high praise for IMC when discussing partnership benefits. “IMC has both leading computer-based design and production capabilities that allowed the economic development and prototyping of relatively complex products,” he says. “The project we did with them wouldn’t have been possible in-house. Their knowledge and capabilities allowed us to advance and enhance our product line. Their access to funding allowed us to pursue the project much sooner.”
