May 2021 Newsletter

The Launch of the CKN Knowledge in Practice Centre!

An open resource for composites manufacturing knowledge and best practices

With the rapid advancement of the composites industry and the costly process of manufacturing, the Composites Knowledge Network was created to facilitate access to the latest technologies, best practices, and world-class knowledge for Canadian SMEs. On April 29, 2021, the CKN launched the Knowledge in Practice Centre (KPC) and offered a guided demonstration of the one-stop learning resource for composites manufacturing and design best practices.

Dr. Anoush Poursartip showcased how the KPC presents composites manufacturing practices in an easy-to-navigate manner, including case studies, practical advice, and systems-level and foundational knowledge. Built off the same platform as Wikipedia, the KPC uses a factory representation of material, shape, tooling, and equipment to explain how composites processes work and how manufacturing quality, rate, and cost trade off in practice.

Click here to get access to the KPC today!


Market Survey Summary

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CKN conducted a Canadian composites industry survey to understand immediate impacts and identify needs to support recovery. It identified the elements of the industry that were hardest hit, and that re-staffing and re-training with composites knowledge and skills is a priority for post-pandemic recovery.

Thank you to the collaborating organizations who helped circulate the 2020 industry survey—SAMPE Canada, CDCQ, PRIMA Québec, Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association and NRC-IRAP.

Click here to read a summary of the findings.


Accelerating Manufacturing Scale-Up Grant Opportunity

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of BC’s manufacturing sector, including its economic impacts, the critical goods it provides and the jobs it provides in all regions of the province.

In response, the Province of British Columbia committed to a $16.25 million one-time investment in the manufacturing sector to support economic recovery through the “B.C. Supply Chain Resiliency and Value-Added Manufacturing Project” announced in StrongerBC.

Click here for more information.


Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology Meeting

On March 23, 2021, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met with key manufacturers from the aerospace sector to discuss the importance of developing and supporting this industry. A key part of this, as discussed by Dr. Bill Lyons, Senior Director, Global Technology, Boeing Research and Technology, was how the CRN and CKN have supported Canadian SMEs and the development of the Knowledge in Practice Centre.

To view the session, click here.


Did you miss out on any of our AIM Events?

You can catch up on these events and more on our website:

  • Knowledge in Practice Centre Demonstration Event
  • Deconstructing composites processing: Why it seems so complex and how to think about it in a structured way
  • Parameters for Structural Analysis of Composites

Click here to see our latest events.