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Canada Makes, Edmit & MDA team up for innovative space application parts
Canada Makes, Edmit Industries Inc. of Chateauguay Quebec and MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Quebec partnered to build 3D printed Titanium parts for an innovative graphite strut structure for flight application. This is another Additive Manufacturing (AM) project that demonstrates how this technology offers solutions not straightforwardly feasible through conventional manufacturing means. Canada Makes enabled, with funding through its Metal Additive Demonstration program, the manufacturing development and build of the Titanium 3D printed parts at Edmit.
“This is yet another example of how additive manufacturing is transforming how satellite parts are being manufactured” says Joanna Boshouwers, MDA’s Vice President and General Manager. “The parts were 3D printed by Edmit, and then tested by MDA to the extreme temperatures of space and the punishing vibration environment of a launch. The Canada Makes program played a key role in accelerating the adoption of AM for this space application, which will lead increase use of this AM technology going forward.”
“One of the primary goals of the Canada Makes program is to promote the Canadian additive manufacturing industry, and this successful project will go a long way to encourage increased use of this technology,” said Frank Defalco, Manager Canada Makes. “Additive manufacturing is a disruptive technology, and this project is testimony of that fact, and we are excited about the opportunities this solution provides to other companies.”
3D Printed Titanium Bracket and Hub for a Satellite Graphite Strut Structure
The parts are used in the assembly of a lightweight antenna graphite spaceframe, optimized for strength, stiffness, thermal performance and mass.
Various satellite manufacturers are using additive manufacturing to reduce cost and schedule required to build spacecraft parts. Space System Loral (SSL), a subsidiary of MDA, recently announced they also started to incorporate the technology into their satellite structures.
Although 3D printing offers new possibilities in the manufacture of satellites, the transition from conventional manufacturing to this new AM approach can be somewhat challenging and expensive. It is therefore important to adopt this technology in the appropriate circumstances in order to get the full benefit.
The Metal Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Program is delivered by Canada Makes through funding by NRC-IRAP. The program is designed to help Canadian industries increase awareness and assist in understanding the advantages of the metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Canada Makes works with a group of AM experts who provide participating companies guidance of the advantages and business opportunities in terms of cost savings and efficiencies of AM.
About MDA
MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.
MDA’s business is focused on markets and customers with strong repeat business potential, primarily in the Communications sector and the Surveillance and Intelligence sector. In addition, the Company conducts a significant amount of advanced technology development.
MDA’s established global customer base is served by more than 4,800 employees operating from 15 locations in the United States, Canada, and internationally. www.mdacorporation.com
About Edmit
A small to medium size company that specializes in the manufacturing of high-end precision components and assemblies. As Innovators and researchers, EDMIT provides leading edge and innovative methods and concepts. With more than 35 years of expertise, Edmit Inc. specializes in metal additive manufacturing (3D printing) of precision metal parts for the aerospace, space and medical industries and have been a key partner for research and development projects for space application for the past five years. edmitinc.com
About Canada Makes
A Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) initiative, Canada Makes is a network of private, public, academic, and non-profit entities dedicated to promoting the adoption and development of additive manufacturing in Canada. For more information on Canada Makes, please visit www.canadamakes.ca or contact Frank Defalco at frank.defalco@cme-mec.ca
Canada Makes releases the Metal Additive Design Guide
A new introductory design guide for metal 3D printing is now available.
OTTAWA – Canada Makes is proud to announce the launch of the Metal Additive Design Guide and invites you to explore this great new tool. The Guide was developed to assist companies interested in trying metal additive manufacturing (AM). Following the same format as the Metal Additive Process Guide, the Metal Additive Design Guide is once again a free service that introduces concepts needed when designing for additive manufacturing (DfAD).
“The Metal Additive Design Guide is easy to use, interactive, offering useful information for newcomers to this technology,” said Frank Defalco, Manager Canada Makes. “Its primary function is to help guide Canadian SMEs looking at metal AM and how it might be added to their process. It’s a great educational resource bringing great value to users and it’s just plain cool.”
Simple, yet crucial questions like, “how big can my parts be” or, “what materials can I use” are answered in this interactive app. The Guide is not designed for the experienced metal AM user but rather someone looking for quick and straightforward answers regarding DfAM.
“Canada Makes’ goal is to assist Canadian industry in adopting additive manufacturing and the Metal Additive 
Design Guide continues in that vain where the Metal Additive Process Guide left off,” added Defalco.
Time saving is one of the major advantage in adopting AM processes versus traditional manufacturing. Through this free resource SMEs can receive quick answers to certain concepts about metal additive. The Guide will help speed up Canada’s manufacturing sector in understanding the capabilities of metal AM. This knowledge should expand AM adoption and invigorate Canada’s burgeoning AM supply chain, growing Canada’s competitiveness.
Canada Makes would like to state how greatly it appreciates the assistance to all those that made the Metal Additive Process Guide possible.
| Altair Canada | Mazak |
| Autodesk | Microfabrica |
| Prof. Mike Ashby, Cambridge University | MIT Aero/Astro |
| Burloak Technologies | Moog Inc |
| Boothroyd Dewhurst | Reaction Engines |
| Cranfield University | Renishaw |
| Dassault Systemes | Robarts Research Institute |
| ExOne | Senvol |
| FusiA | solidThinking |
| GE Aviation | U.S. Navy ManTech Navy |
| Gradientspace | Metalworking Canter/Cocurrent |
| HiETA | Technologies Corporation |
| Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory |
The Metal Additive Design Guide was funded through the National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program in accordance with the Metal Additive Demonstration Program.
Canada Makes is looking forward to partnering once again with NRC-IRAP and deliver the Metal AM Demonstration Program. The program plans to continue to expand the AM knowledge base for Canada’s manufacturing sector and work with all stakeholders to grow the sector.
The Metal Additive Manufacturing Demonstration Program is delivered by Canada Makes through funding by NRC-IRAP. The program is designed to help Canadian industries increase awareness and assist in understanding the advantages of the metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology. Canada Makes works with a group of AM experts who provide participating companies guidance of the advantages and business opportunities in terms of cost savings and efficiencies of AM.
About Canada Makes
A Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) initiative, Canada Makes is a network of private, public, academic, and non-profit entities dedicated to promoting the adoption and development of additive manufacturing in Canada. For more information on Canada Makes, please visit www.canadamakes.ca
Media contact:
Frank Defalco at frank.defalco@cme-mec.ca
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