Gazing up at this building what do you think it houses? It is the Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale. This center supports the aerospace industry. It helps with developing and adopting cost-effective manufacturing methods.
Built in 2004 the Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale is located on the Université de Montréal campus. There are also facilities in Mirabel and Ottawa. The National Research Council of Canada established the Centre. It leases the land from Université de Montréal for 50 years. Researchers from both Université de Montréal and École Polytechnique use the Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale.
The Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale helps clients through research and tech development. This includes 3D printing and repair technologies. It also researches advanced material removal technologies. Aircraft assembly is another area of focus. The center also works with collaborative robots. These robots assist with assembly and finishing. Drones are used for maintenance applications. Fibre placement and autoclave processing are also researched. The Centre explores high energy density metal joining. High precision process robotics and cobotics are also areas of expertise. Liquid composite molding is another capability. Metal forming is also part of their research.
Mirror manufacturing uses cooperating robots. This reduces the need for tooling and jigs. The Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale also researches resistance welding. This welding is for thermoplastic composites. They also focus on robotization and control of processes. These processes involve high forces or high dynamics. Solid-state joining is another area of study. Finally they research surface finishing, coating deposition, and treatment.
The building itself has a contemporary design. Its façade features buff brick. There are also glass and steel curtain walls. The interior includes labs and workshops. These workshops fabricate composite materials. There are also offices. Its design integrates it into the landscape. It blends with Mount Royal and the campus.
The Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale has impressive equipment. There is a hybrid 3D metal printer. It combines additive and subtractive manufacturing. They have a 42 kW electron beam welding system. There is also a CNC laser system for additive manufacturing and repair. A robotic TopTIG welding system is available. A robotic fiber laser system integrates arc welding. This supports hybrid laser arc welding and repair.
An indoor flight area is used for drone development. A robotized machining platform is also present. It includes a rail-mounted robot and rotating table. A mirror manufacturing platform uses two KUKA Quantec robots. These robots are synchronized in real-time. The Centre has a human-robot collaboration environment. It features a UR10 collaborative robot. A robotic electrospark deposition system is available. They also have systems for friction-stir welding.
The Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale uses a digital image correlation system. This measures 3D deformation. A 250 kN materials testing facility is on site. It tests tensile strength and compression. There is an optical 3D scanner for reverse engineering. They have 250 and 500-ton forging presses. Automated Dynamics fibre placement machine creates composite structures. A VIPER 4000 fibre placement machine makes large composite structures.
Two autoclaves are used for high-temperature processing. A range of ovens are used for composite materials. There is equipment for resin transfer molding. A laser ultrasonic inspection system checks large structures. A heated press molds thermoset and thermoplastic composites. They also have facilities for physical vapor deposition. Equipment characterizes materials and surfaces. Metallography and material characterization facilities are available. A gantry with Kuka robots automates assembly and riveting. The Centre also has intelligent shot peening equipment.
Consider the impact of the Centre des technologies de fabrication en aérospatiale. It is helping to shape the future of flight. It develops greener and more affordable aircraft. The Centre supports Canada’s aerospace industry. It ensures they remain competitive.