Submission to NAL from Niagara College
The arrival of spring and a rise in temperatures goes hand in hand with
a less welcome seasonal challenge: potholes.
Just in time for the season, Niagara College’s Niagara Research department is about to unveil its work on a new and improved pothole
patching machine for a local company.
In May 2012, Niagara Research began a project for Ryan Industrial
Technologies. The Grimsby-based machine fabricator approached Niagara
College with the idea of developing a new asphalt pothole patching
machine to be sold to construction contractors and municipal works.
The new, patented pothole patching machine streamlines the process and
makes it more efficient, without the need of a three- to four-person
crew to patch each pothole (the new machine only requires one operator).
It also improves its performance through a superior asphalt mix that
lasts three to five years, instead of the currently used mix that lasts
less than a year.
A mechanical engineering team at Niagara Research has been working on
the design of all components of the working prototype, including the
hydraulic circuit and electronic control, and worked with the company to
construct the prototype.
This advanced manufacturing project is one of several currently
underway at Niagara Research that supports innovation in business and
industry. It has been made possible by funding from the Applied Research
and Commercialization Initiative through the Federal Economic
Development Agency of Southern Ontario. Through applied research,
Niagara College provides innovative solutions to small- and medium-sized
businesses to help enhance their productivity and increase their
competitiveness. In doing so, the College plays a leadership role in
helping to revitalize the regional economy.
It also opens the door to new educational opportunities for its
students.
“This project builds on the students’ classroom skills and takes
them into the real world,” said Lindsay Engel, Research Project
manager, Research and Innovation. “They had the opportunity to work
with other engineers, fabrication shops and suppliers, providing them
with real-world experience as they move forward with their careers.”
Niagara Research, Niagara College’s Research and Innovation Division,
works closely with business, industry and community partners to identify
challenges that are in need of real-time solutions. Through applied
research projects, skilled student and faculty teams help local
businesses and community organizations become more innovative, overcome
challenges, and develop, test or simulate new products or processes.
For more information click on research@niagaracollege.ca or NiagaraCollege.ca/Research . .
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