The University of Waterloo has opened a metal additive manufacturing lab that could enable new partnerships with companies looking to grow and test their products.

The Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Laboratory (MSAM lab) will provide a more efficient and sustainable way to prototype and manufacture a range of products in sectors including aerospace, healthcare, and automotive technology.

The 15,000-square-foot facility features $25 million worth of new equipment, including a quad-laser powder bed fusion machine to explore new methods of metal 3D printing. The lab aims to serve as a hub for future metals research, as well as to support innovative local companies in their research and development efforts.

“With the current geopolitical issues and shortage of supply chains, 3D printing technology will be able to help a lot in minimizing steps in supply chains,” says Ehsan Toyserkani, professor at the University of Waterloo and founder of the MSAM lab. “We will be able to rely on local manufacturing rather than other countries to make some components.”

The new lab will also provide students with the opportunity to use more advanced 3D printing machines and learn from cutting-edge technology.

Source: CityNews Kitchener