Coming this fall: The Launch of the CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre!
With the rapid advancement of the composites industry and the costly process of manufacturing, the Composites Knowledge Network was started to facilitate access to the latest technologies, best practices and world-class knowledge for Canadian SMEs. Since the CKN began in April 2019, the team has been working diligently to create the Knowledge in Practice Centre (KPC); an integrated one-stop learning resource for science-based composites manufacturing and design best practices.
Many SMEs, when faced with the idea of product development or changing their manufacturing method to suit composite manufacturing, will not know where to start or what needs to be done to effectively get there.
The KPC will provide the manufacturing industry with access to resources that will take them through the process of learning a foundational knowledge about composites. This includes developing an understanding of the systems that need to be in place to manufacture with them and best practices for different types of manufacturing for different applications. The KPC offers something exceptional to SMEs; direct access to the latest composites knowledge and best practices with the goal of supporting their success.
With a focus on benefitting small businesses, their employees and the communities they serve, the Composites Knowledge Network is launching the Knowledge in Practice Centre this fall.
To learn more about the launch of the KPC, stay tuned to our newsletters!
The Building Blocks of the KPC
The Knowledge in Practice Centre will house resources for all levels of the composites industry – from people learning about composites to experienced manufacturers looking to update their processes and methods.
Introduction: This area will provide an introduction to composites including the background of composites and understanding the link between designing and manufacturing with composites.
Open Literature: Sources will be provided for academic journals and theses, textbooks, standards, trade magazines and technical manuals about composite materials.
Foundational Knowledge: This area will have information about the fundamentals and underlying science of manufacturing and designing with composites.
Systems Knowledge and Catalogue: Practically looking at the systems required for manufacturing with composites, this area will have a systems-level description of equipment, tools, parts and materials, how these interact to achieve desired outcomes and how to manage, optimize and control the system.
Practice: Putting the knowledge into practice, this area will house science-based recommendations and guidance to support decision-making processes for new product development, building up composite factory capabilities and optimizing or troubleshooting existing composite factories.
Case Studies, Perspectives and Industrial Documents: This section will house real-life case studies, historical perspectives on composites research and manufacturing and CKN proprietary documents, such as process specifications and work procedures.
For more information about the KPC and the Composites Knowledge Network, please visit: www.compositeskn.org