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- NRC Canadian Neutron Beam Centre
- NRC Genomics and Health Initiative
- NRC Industrial Materials Institute
- NRC Institute for Aerospace Research
- NRC Institute for Chemical Process and Environmental Technology
- NRC Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation
- NRC Institute for Microstructural Sciences
- NRC Institute for Research in Construction
- NRC Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences
- National Bioproducts Program
- National Institute for Nanotechnology
- National Research Council Canada
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Thomas Vanderhoek
Phone: 604-221-3141
Fax: 604-221-3001
Email: Tom.Vanderhoek@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Prototyping
The Prototyping Team at NRC-IFCI acts as a catalyst for the advancement of research discoveries and their transition from the lab to the end-user.
The Prototyping Team supplies clients with complete engineering and precision prototyping capabilities including conceptual design, finite element analysis (FEA) and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling, through to functional part or system. The team specializes in single part and low quantity runs of SOFC & PEM Fuel Cell stacks, test fixtures, balance of plant components and system design.
On a component level, the Prototyping Team has experience designing and machining parts such as flow fields, manifolds, seal moulds, single and multiple cell test stack assemblies, pressure vessels, and specialty fittings.
On a systems level, the team has experience designing integrated systems, including computer controls, diagnostics and instrumentation incorporating components such as mass flow and heater systems, and humidity control.
NRC-IFCI has full design, analysis, machining, metrology and fabrication capabilities including computer numerically controlled (CNC) milling, numerically controlled (NC) grinding, turning, contact and non-contact metrology and welding. Our state-of-the-art CAD/CAM/CAE software for designing and manufacturing customer parts, includes:
- Mastercam (CAM)
- SIEMENS NX/Unigraphics (CAD)
- Solidworks (CAD)
- Ansys (CAE/FEA)
- Fluent (CAE/CFD)
All core team members are seasoned professionals, able to draw on their diverse scientific and technical knowledge and experience. They also have sound experience working with the following materials:
- 300/400 Series Stainless Steels
- Carbon & Alloy Steels
- Aluminium
- Carbide
- Plastics
- Ceramics
- Graphite
The Prototyping Team is available to work on both internal and external projects, allowing it to bring best-of-class processes and techniques to bear on both R&D and commercialization projects.
