Support Service for the high-performance machining industry

The Support Service for the high-performance machining industry is the fruit of a partnership between the Regional and Economic Development Ministry, the Québec Aerospace Association and Polytechnique.

Mr. Papineau said: "Companies today have to compete globally, which requires them to differentiate themselves from their competitors. The ability to innovate becomes a decisive factor in such an environment. Companies must market and produce quality goods and services with increasingly high-performance technologies and processes. The Support Service is a tangible initiative that has been given the Regional and Economic Development Ministry's approval through its financial contribution. Increased productivity and continuous improvement are two key objectives of the Support Service for the high-performance machining industry."

In addition to the Support Service, the Regional and Economic Development Ministry, together with the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies, made a favourable recommendation to the Québec Education Ministry, which also contributed to creation of the virtual-manufacturing research laboratory with an investment of nearly $2 million.

The virtual-manufacturing research laboratory

The new Laboratoire de recherche en fabrication virtuelle (virtual-manufacturing research laboratory) features two rooms: one for high-speed machine-tools and the other devoted to metrology. The first room, which measures 2,400 square feet, contains five numerically controlled machine-tools obtained as a result of, among other things, the contributions of Polytechnique's partners in technology. Research and development work on high-performance machining is being conducted with these tools to benefit Québec companies. Each machine sits on its own three-foot-thick concrete slab designed to prevent it from transmitting vibrations to the other machines.

The 1,000-square-foot metrology room contains instruments than can measure the dimensions and surface conditions of machined parts with a precision of within a micrometre. This required the construction of a temperature-and humidity-controlled room that is protected  from both vibrations and dust.

Mr. Papineau continued: "Polytechnique has made a substantial investment of $1.2 million to create the Laboratoire de recherche en fabrication virtuelle, because we are convinced that R&D and innovation are the keys to success. It is also thanks to partnerships and networking between private enterprise and the public sector that university teaching establishments are able to do so well in terms of financing and research. Such a project requires the support of several partners, particularly technology partners such as Huron Canada, Mitutoyo and Mitsui Seiki."

Mr. Bellemare said: "Because R&D is one of our Company's core activities, Pratt & Whitney Canada is proud to have been, together with Polytechnique, among the originators of the laboratory. Our $250,000 investment demonstrates our firm belief that the expertise of Polytechnique's researchers and staff will help us optimize the performance of our own manufacturing equipment and develop new machining methods."

Ms. Corbeil said: "The Canada Foundation for Innovation is proud to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and to enhance the quality of university research and training in all regions of the country. Our contribution of nearly $2 million to Polytechnique's new laboratory is a perfect fit with our mission. We are all the more pleased because the laboratory infrastructures are accompanied by a service that will provide tangible support for the industry."

Founded in 1873, École Polytechnique de Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering institutions, in terms of both teaching and research. It is the largest engineering school in Québec as far as its student population and the scope of its research activity are concerned. École Polytechnique provides instruction in 11 engineering specialties and is responsible for more than one-quarter of university research in engineering in Québec. The school has 220 professors and nearly 6,000 students. Its operating budget is $72 million, in addition to a $40-million research and infrastructure fund. Polytechnique is affiliated with Université de Montréal.

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Information:

Chantal Cantin    
Communications and Public Relations Department   
École Polytechnique de Montréal  
(514) 340-4711, ext. 4915  
chantal.cantin@polymtl.ca

Valérie Poulin
Media Relations
Canada Foundation for Innovation
(613) 996-3160
valerie.poulin@innovation.ca
  
Annick Laberge
Public Affaires
Pratt & Whitney Canada   
(450) 677-9411
annick.laberge@pwc.ca