In a room of cutting-edge technology it was the shiny-blue 1922 Wills Sainte Claire roadster that stood out at TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 launch of the new Babcock Canada Interaction Lab.
The Interaction Lab is housed within the Camosun Innovates department, named for Babcock Canada, which donated $800,000 into Camosun CollegeB次元官网网址檚 TRADEMark of Excellence campaign, which has raised $7.5 million.
B次元官网网址淚t brings two big 3D printers, a 3D printer that can weave carbon fibre with nylon, 3D scanners, manufacturing and more under one roof,B次元官网网址� said Sergio Asebey, research technologist with Camosun Innovates.
Asebey was part of the team that helped Pete Seward, owner of the Saint Claire, when SewardB次元官网网址檚 search for replacement floorboard bezels to go in his 1922 roadster came up short.
B次元官网网址淲e were able to use 3D scanners on the [failing] parts of the car,B次元官网网址� Asebey said.
They then used a 3D printer to create plastic models of the parts and used those to press aluminum mouldings that replaced the floorboard bezels, Asebey explained.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the type of technology thatB次元官网网址檚 opening new doors in Victoria, and in Canada.
Camosun Innovates is an entity within Camosun, with its own staff and infrastructure, that is accessible to local businesses and ties into Camosun students.
厂补补苍颈肠丑B次元官网网址檚 , which has designed and manufactured kites for kiteboarding since the sport first started more than two decades ago, but is still a local business, has relied on Camosun students to make research and development a realistic option.
This year, a trio of graduating mechanical engineering students B次元官网网址� Liam McLean, Aaron Khor and Reece Myerscough B次元官网网址� took on the challenge to create a travel-size pump that could inflate Ocean RodeoB次元官网网址檚 kites (they are like two sails sewn together, and inflate for stability and buoyancy in the water).
B次元官网网址淜iteboarding is a destination sport, people travel the world to visit great spots for it,B次元官网网址� Myerscough said. B次元官网网址淲e took on the challenge of creating a pump that could travel light, that people can use when hiking into remote beaches.B次元官网网址�
The trio came up with a small eight-PSI winch pump that takes up as less room than a reusable water bottle. To fill a 140-PSI kite they also instituted an intermediary airbag that they fill up first, and then use the winch pump to force air into the kite. The patented winch pump also converts into a traditional pump, and the result is a combination that can fill a kite in a matter of minutes. (The additional airbag can be rigged into a beach chair.)
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been very successful in using grants for research and development, and partnerships that rely on local colleges or universities which for us has been Camosun,B次元官网网址� said John Zimmerman, general manager at Ocean Rodeo. B次元官网网址淲e rely on grants from NSERC [Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council], we have to have results within 12 to 18 months or we canB次元官网网址檛 invest in the R&D.B次元官网网址�
The Babcock money is CamosunB次元官网网址檚 most recent investment from the private sector.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a game-changer for applied learning, interdisciplinary research and innovation that will drive forward regional economic development with our industry partners,B次元官网网址� said Dr. Tim Walzak, director of Camosun Innovates.
Camosun Innovates receives funding from national bodies including the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), Western Economic Diversification Canada (WED) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
