NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Colleges for the Manufacturing of Aerospace Components in Composite Materials

PROJECT COST:

1 155 157 $

PRIMA CONTRIBUTION:

235 567 $

PROJECT DETAILS:

This project is part of the NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Aerospace Component Manufacturing in Composite Materials (AéroComp). Emerging aeronautical markets, urban mobility, and the current economic context create opportunities for the evolution of the aerospace composite materials industry. International competition is increasing, and this Canadian industry, strongly rooted in Quebec, must adapt to economic and environmental requirements to capitalize on its potential benefits.

Advanced materials, innovative processes, and automation offer significant opportunities for this key sector.

The project aims to support the local aerospace industry in the field of composite materials through the following objectives:

Development of advanced processes and materials
Support across the entire “composite” value chain
Training of highly qualified personnel to ensure knowledge transfer and succession within the industry

Applied research will focus on pre-molding processes, materials, molding techniques, and post-molding steps. Current research areas include robotic tool maintenance, automated preparation of ready-to-assemble ply sets, non-autoclave molding of structures, processing of 3D-printed parts, performance analysis of new materials, and technological support for industry partners.

This project will train 14 students at the college (DEC) level and 5 students at the master’s level. It will provide industry partners specializing in aerospace composite manufacturing with solutions to improve productivity, access to skilled personnel for implementation, and collaboration with complementary partners within the local composite materials value chain. The project is expected to maintain and create 54 jobs in participating companies.

The dissemination and presentation of technologies developed through this project will help partners remain competitive by enabling new products, improved processes, and expanded markets. It will also contribute to increasing the global visibility of Quebec’s aerospace composite industry.