TORONTO, Canada, Oct 6, 2014 – Ryerson University has launched an Advanced Manufacturing, Design and 3D Printing Lab in partnership with Edward Burtynsky, world-renowned photographer and co-founder of Think2Thing, and Bionik Laboratories, a robotic medical device and control systems start-up incubated in Ryerson’s Digital Media Zone (DMZ).
The Advanced Manufacturing, Design and 3D Printing Lab is one of Canada’s most technologically advanced 3D printing research facilities. Home to one of just three EOS P395 printers in the country and the only one located at a university, the lab provides a focal point for collaborative research, innovation and training.
This lab is one node on the Ryerson Centre for Cloud and Context-Aware Computing (RC4) developed with industry partners and support from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.
“The lab leverages our research expertise with the design and additive manufacturing excellence of Think2Thing and Bionik’s groundbreaking work in the development and commercialization of control systems to drive robotic medical devices with companies across sectors,” said Wendy Cukier, vice-president, research and innovation, Ryerson University. “We know from our partners in automotive, aerospace, biomedical, information and communication technology, consumer products and architecture that the Internet of things and 3D printing are transforming the products and the way in which we design and make them.”
“Additive manufacturing and 3D printing are fundamentally transforming multiple industries – everything from manufacturing to retail to healthcare,” said Terry Stuart, chief information officer, Deloitte. “We have been paying close attention to these exponential technologies for a few years so that we can effectively inform and prepare our clients. It’s amazing to see Ryerson’s Advanced Manufacturing, Design and 3D Printing Lab bring these important technologies to life in a meaningful way.”
Edward Burtynsky, who co-founded Think2Thing (T2T) with award-winning industrial designer David Didur, said, “By providing state-of-the-art 3D scanning, software, and output solutions, we will solve challenging design problems across sectors working with clients, faculty and students.”
An alumnus of Ryerson’s Image Arts Program, Burtynsky said, “Given its cross-disciplinary approach, its partnerships and its innovation ecosystem, Ryerson was the obvious partner for launching our innovation center. The lab will create an environment to stimulate education, understanding, ideas, creativity, invention and product development by combining the knowledge and resources of Ryerson, and the expertise of T2T. We are here to respond to industry partner challenges, as well as artists, designers, academics, researchers and others with the most current state-of-the-art 3D technology, while collaborating with the best talent and expertise.”
The lab’s other partner, Bionik Laboratories, develops control systems and context-aware technology with ground-breaking robotic medical devices including exoskeletal legs currently being tested in rehabilitation hospitals. “This partnership provides us with access to new design and prototyping techniques as well as state-of-the-art technology. Ryerson has played an important role in helping us develop our technology and we see a bright future in linking new control systems with rapid prototyping and customization using 3D printing,” said Peter Bloch, Bionik Laboratories CEO.
Designers from all sectors are using this technology to accelerate prototyping, and manufacturers are producing components and products with exceptional precision. The lab will also be the site for a series of initiatives related to intelligent-connected objects – the “Internet of things”.
About Think2Thing
Co-founders David Didur and Ed Burtynsky (Ryerson alumnus)
Think2Thing is a company that is exploring the next generation of scanning, imaging, printing and production by leading and supporting research into how 3D-printering technology will be implemented into advanced manufacturing and design processes. The company is investing in state of the art technology to establish its leadership in the domain.
About Bionik Laboratories
Founded by former Ryerson bio-medical engineering students Thiago Caires and Michal Prywata; incubated in the Digital Media Zone, Bionik Laboratories is a robotic medical device company with a primary focus on the development and commercialization of physical rehabilitation technology has developed and presented several control systems and devices.
About Ryerson University
Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 38,000 students, including 2,300 master’s and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 155,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth: externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada’s leading provider of university-based adult education.
For more information, visit www.ryerson.ca.
