The new laboratory, the only one of its kind in Canada, will feature an advanced computer-based product development program in the new Engineering and Information Technology Complex. It will also serve as a manufacturing facility providing comprehensive education to students, as well as skills upgrading and industry training. The complex features a 40-seat computer lab alongside a mini-simulated manufacturing lab, complete with a rapid prototyping machine, mini-numerical controlled machine tools and a small virtual reality system.
"We are the only engineering school making this technology available to undergraduate students," says Dr. Doug Ruth, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the U of M. "Our students will leave here confident in their knowledge of Technical Drawing, 3D Modelling, Rapid Prototyping, and Visual Communication including Green Screen Technology.""
Ron Britton, Assistant Dean of Engineering at the University of Manitoba is excited about the future prospects the new CAD centre brings to both students and the university. "With the addition of this tech centre, the University of Manitoba can produce 'Design Ready Engineers' prepared for the challenges of industry, while positioning the University as one of the most advanced educational design centers in Canada."
The Technology Centre features CATIA V5 from Dassault Systemes as its premier CAD system. CATIA V5, part of Dassault Systemes Product Lifecycle Management line of products, enables users to perform a wide variety of engineering design activities such as 3D modeling, linear analysis, manufacturing simulation, HVAC design, visualization and simulation. Dassault Systems products are dominant in the automotive and aerospace industries. Notably, three quarters of the introductory and concept vehicles at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit and 90% of the commercial aircraft in the air today were designed using CATIA.
