KAMLOOPS-UCC received $400,000 in Western Economic Diversification Fund (WED) support for leading-edge equipment to enhance training and technology transfer.

The funding represents a significant portion of the cost of more than $700,000 worth of required high-tech software and hardware to be used for esearch, development and training through its Computerized Manufacturing
Technology and Computer Automated Systems Technician programs to solve manufacturing process problems with high-technology automation applications.

“The success of this project recognizes the commitment of the federal government to build Canada’s capacity for innovation and the support of small and medium-sized business enterprises and builds on a history of successful collaborations between the Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) of UCC and Western Canada’s manufacturing sector, said UCC’s Associate VP Research, Tom Dickinson.

“This history includes more than 60 industry-sponsored projects developed to the proof-in-concept stage and many have gone forward to significantly improve the bottom line of the sponsoring clients. We look forward to using this newly acquired capacity to develop future projects with industry.”

Hardware and software to be purchased with Western Diversification funding includes: ABB IRB 1400 High-speed Assembly Robot; ABB IRB 2400 Industrial Robot; ABB IRB 4400L Industrial Robot; Allen-Bradley NEMA 23 AC Servo Motors and Drives (Ultra 3000, 1KW); Thompson Ball-screw assemblies; Haas CNC Lathe and support tooling; Comp Integrated Mfg Training System Lab-volt Robotics; Conveyor Process Controllers; Thermwood CNC additional tooling; Solidworks Modelling Software.

For more information, please contact Dr. Tom Dickinson at 371-5586.