Canada's INNOV Commissions CAD 500,000 Large-Format Composite Additive Manufacturing System

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 15, CCNB-INNOV Advanced Materials Center, part of New Brunswick Community College in Canada, announced that its new large-format additive manufacturing (LFAM) system in Caraquet has been installed and put into operation. The system is based on the ZEUS platform from the UK's Rapid Fusion and integrates a KUKA KR120 R3900 six-axis industrial robot, with a total investment of approximately CAD 500,000. It is primarily used for additive manufacturing, machining, and R&D validation of large composite parts, molds, and tooling.

The system adopts a pellet extrusion-based additive manufacturing approach and is equipped with an 11kW machining unit, enabling material deposition and subsequent cutting operations on the same robotic platform. The equipment features a 2m × 2m heated worktable, making it suitable for producing large, complex parts that are costly or difficult to process using conventional methods, while also supporting process development for reinforced polymers, fiber-filled materials, and other composites.

INNOV has already used the platform to conduct initial material tests, including printing prototype parts with a composite material containing 60% wood flour to evaluate the potential of local bio-based materials in large-format additive manufacturing. The center will subsequently offer prototype development, mold manufacturing, material testing, and robotic manufacturing process validation services to industries including manufacturing, marine, transportation, energy, and construction.

Project funding is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), ResearchNB, and CCNB, with Rapid Fusion responsible for equipment integration, installation, and commissioning. INNOV stated that this platform allows companies to conduct proof-of-concept and process testing without having to build their own large-format additive manufacturing production lines, shortening the cycle from design to physical validation for new materials and large components.