Industry Services

The Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) enables organizations to carry out their proof-of-concept and technology validation before investing in new technologies. We offer three types of services:

Applied Research and Development  |  Technical and Business Services  |  Mobile Services and Remote Work

Applied Research and Development

Low capital risk applied research support.

Put our cutting-edge resources and expertise to work on your research project. We aim to help improve your organization’s processes, products and services so that you can thrive in today’s marketplace—and prepare for tomorrow’s.

Product and process development requires dedication, resources and technical expertise. TACAM provides teams of research professionals, faculty and students to support innovation. Industry benefits from College expertise and dedicated human resources.

Don’t have a research team?

We can put one together for you by drawing from our own expertise and that of our partners.

Technical and Business Services

Matching technology solutions and company’s operational capabilities.

Take advantage of our expertise, facilities and technologies using our fee-for-service activities. We provide technical services to support your manufacturing and aerospace activities. We’re also equipped to assist you with commercialization services.

Mobile Services and Remote Work

With our flexible work options, we can come to you or work remotely to ensure your project addresses your needs and finishes on time.

With our mobile services, we can take our experts and portable technology to your factory, analyzing and solving issues in loco.

We can also work remotely, ensuring effective communication from project start to results delivery.

When working remotely, we use several communication tools to ensure you’re aware of all steps of your project. To do that, we rely on:

• Teleconference tools, such as Microsoft Teams, Skype and Webex
• Day-to-day communication tools, such as email, text message, and voice and video calls
• Timely reports, providing detailed progress or your project

Our Expertise

The Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) focuses on key areas of expertise to support industry growth. Companies partner with us because of our experience and expertise in six areas:

1. Advanced Manufacturing and Materials
   TACAM works with cutting-edge technologies to improve products or processes, which is essential to maintaining competitiveness of manufacturing companies. We support companies to research, develop, evaluate, monitor and maintain new and emerging technologies and materials with a focus on adding value to their operations. The rate of technology adoption is also another important factor with TACAM. Creating practical solutions that are market-ready is a priority for our team.
2. Smart Factory / Learning Factory
   TACAM works with the concepts of connectivity and autonomy to bring the technologies, processes and systems of a smart factory to life. A smart factory is a connected production facility that employs artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, analytics, big data and the Internet of things (IoT) to create autonomous processes. The idea of a smart factory is strictly related to the fourth industrial revolution (also called Industry 4.0). With Red River College Polytechnic’s (RRC Polytech) Smart Factory, TACAM is also able to implement the idea of a learning factory, which is a realistic manufacturing environment dedicated to applied research, education and knowledge transfer. With that expertise, TACAM connects the industry community with RRC Polytech’s researchers, faculty and students to promote applied research and training, as well as technology and knowledge diffusion.
3. Manufacturing Automation and Robotics
   TACAM provides support in the robotic field to help your organization to achieve more efficient processes. Manufacturing robots can help your team to achieve lower variance, optimal efficiency, and increased safety. We also work with automated production lines, processes and systems. Our team is ready to support you with cutting-edge automated technologies, from fixed to flexible automation solutions. With additional automation, your team can focus on innovation and more intricate tasks that add value to your overall business goals.
4. Rapid Prototyping Technologies
   Take advantage of our 3D prototyping expertise. With a focus on creating prototypes with agility and accuracy, our team has access to several prototyping techniques and equipment to make your ideas come to life. From computer numerical control (CNC) solutions to additive manufacturing – our 3D printers – we have the resources to make cost-efficient, rapid prototypes.
5. Non-Destructive Inspection
   Another area of expertise includes the inspection and analysis of a material, component, structure or system without causing damage to the original part – or non-destructive inspection (NDI). With NDI, you can discover characteristics, defects and discontinuities of a product or part. For the industry, our core areas of NDI expertise are X-Ray Computed Tomography (industrial micro CT), 3D Laser Metrology, Thermography and ultrasonic NDI.  We also have expertise in liquid penetrant inspection (LPI) and magnetic penetrant inspection (MPI).
6. Physical and Computer-based Simulations
   For physical simulations, we replicate manufacturing processes, analyze these processes and use the data to solve key issues. For computer-based simulations, we create computer models of the manufacturing systems and products to then analyze them to find defects or improvement opportunities. Our core competencies include 3D CAD modeling and mechanical analysis, including Finite Element Modeling (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).  We also work with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and IIoT software. TACAM believes that through simulations, your organization can save time and money, while solving key manufacturing problems or practicing continuous improvement.