To demonstrate the impact that applied research projects make on all Manitobans, we present RPI’s 20 Stories for 20 Years. A compilation showcasing successful partnerships from the past and the present, with a constant focus on the future.

Not many companies can say they literally reinvented the wheel, but RAIN Irrigation (previously Cascade Manufacturing) worked with RRC Polytech’s Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) to be able to make that claim.

The typical agricultural irrigation system has steel rims and air-filled rubber tires that eventually lose pressure or go flat, leading to repair downtime and maintenance issues. RAIN’s all-steel bolted wheel for irrigation systems is low-maintenance by design.

“The improved irrigation wheel enhances equipment reliability and efficiency, directly benefiting Manitoba’s farming community,” says Ryan Cummine, Research Manager, TACAM.

Matt Waldner, CEO of RAIN, started working on the prototype for the bolted wheel in 2018 but eventually encountered issues with the steel cracking. RAIN partnered with TACAM to review the design and identify the causes of failure. 

“We support local industries by providing access to high-level technical capabilities that smaller companies might not have in-house,” says Cummine. “This project showcases how TACAM customizes its research and development services to address specific industry challenges, bridging the gap between theoretical solutions and practical applications.”

With 3D CAD files provided by RAIN, TACAM used 3D modelling and finite element analysis (FEA) to evaluate the stresses throughout the wheel. By testing solutions virtually, TACAM significantly reduced the development time and costs. 

“With TACAM’s expertise on how to minimize stress concentration points, we were able to produce a bolted wheel with thinner grade material than we thought possible,” said Waldner. “The FEA study they conducted determined that the stresses were within tolerance, which gave us the confidence to manufacture and test the product in field conditions.”

RAIN used TACAM’s recommendations to redesign the wheel. The original bolted wheel failed under 10,000 load cycles; after the redesign, it is expected to last over 200,000. In 2023, RAIN start manufacturing and selling the product to local and international customers.