Case Study: Red Deer Polytechnic advances applied manufacturing and student learning with Desktop Metal AM 2.0 technologies

Red Deer Polytechnic accelerates applied manufacturing with Desktop Metal, backed by $7.6M in advanced equipment

Red Deer Polytechnic's Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing - Technology Access Centre (CIM-TAC) sought to provide regional industries with next-generation production solutions and hands-on student learning. Their challenge was to acquire advanced, commercially relevant additive manufacturing equipment that could de-risk new technologies for local businesses in sectors like energy, agriculture, and healthcare, moving beyond the limitations of small-format 3D printers.

The solution involved investing in a Desktop Metal InnoventX binder jetting system for flexible metal and ceramic research and an ETEC Xtreme 8K DLP printer for large-format polymer parts. These Desktop Metal technologies enabled material development, complex part production without hard tooling, and direct support for commercialization. In 2022 alone, this capability helped CIM-TAC initiate 73 projects for over 50 companies, while creating a multidisciplinary learning environment that prepares a highly-skilled workforce for Alberta's economy.

Red Deer Polytechnic