In a significant move that’s set to propel Canadian innovation in aerospace manufacturing, Nikon Corporation, Advanced Powders and Coatings Inc. (AP&C) and the University of Waterloo recently signed a sponsored research agreement to develop next-generation repair technologies for aerospace components using metal additive manufacturing.The collaboration will centre around the integration of Nikon’s advanced Direct Energy Deposition (DED) systems, including the Lasermeister LM300A and Lasermeister SB100 scanning platform, with AP&C’s titanium alloys (Ti-Al and Ti64). And the joint research will be conducted at the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Laboratory – Canada’s leading academic hub for additive manufacturing research, located at the University of Waterloo.First-of-its-kind technology in CanadaThe initiative marks the first installation of Nikon’s Lasermeister systems in Canada, bringing cutting-edge repair capabilities previously used in gas turbine components within the aerospace sector. These high-precision systems combine adaptive 3D scanning and DED technology, enabling real-time, automated and customized repairs that significantly improve component lifespan while reducing cost. And according to Ehsan Toyserkani, Director of MSAM and Canada Research Chair in Multi-Scale Intelligent Additive Manufacturing, it’s an initiative that should pave the way forward for Canada’s next generation of engineering talent.“We are confident that Nikon’s repair solutions and AP&C’s metal powders offer cutting-edge answers to industry-relevant AM technology challenges,” he says. “This partnership will enable us to effectively develop intellectual property and train the next generation of engineers and researchers through industry-focused R&D”Industry-academic synergyAP&C, a Colibrium Additive company under GE Aerospace, brings nearly two decades of experience producing aerospace-grade titanium powders to the collaboration. The company will provide material inputs and research funding to support the project’s goals – a project that Frederic Larouche, CEO of AP&C, says underscores the importance of academic institutions in the continued research and development of additive manufacturing uses. (ICE TORONTO)

Fonte notizia: https://www.design-engineering.com/