Manufacturing in Manitoba

Manitoba Manufacturing Week 2016 34 daretocompete.ca four years ago, Winnipeg's orthopaedic innovation centre (oic) created a patella (kneecap) for a dog named oreo, using a Stratasys 3D printer to customize a bio- compatible implantable device for a prince edward island veterinarian in just four days. that was one small step for a dog. now, oic has taken a giant leap for mankind, making a medical device metal prototype for future human applications and establishing a manufacturing capability through its first spinoff company, precision aDM inc. "We've actually created a material that can be 3D printed and that elutes a drug that can fight knee infection in our patients," says oic and precision aDM ceo Martin petrak. "We're working with Stratasys in the u.S. together to develop and patent these technologies and we're in the process of licensing the technology to larger orthopaedic companies." based in the concordia hip & knee institute, the not-for- profit oic designs and tests medical devices, with a focus on hip and knee replacement systems. oreo's kneecap was made from a polymer, but since most materials used for permanent orthopaedic medical devices are metal — titanium, stainless steel and cobalt chrome — oic considered getting into metal additive manufacturing for orthopaedics. then they realized the aerospace industry uses the same materials and operates in the same highly regulated environments. "the same materials they put inside the human body, they also belong on airplanes," petrak says. With an investment of $5 million from Western economic Diversification and $1.5 million from research Manitoba, the oic established an advanced Digital Manufacturing hub (aDMh) for Medical and aerospace in Manitoba that has far- reaching implications for manufacturers and entrepreneurs. "We started off with a patella. We've actually created a 3D-printed drug material and now we've started our first company … to do everything from medical devices through to aerospace components and even energy sector components. precision aDM is the first company born out of the aDMh with the realization that multiple sectors could benefit from having advanced metal digital manufacturing capability right here in Winnipeg. petrak expects the for-profit precision aDM to be fully operational by the end of March and the company is seeking further investment to accelerate growth. "in Manitoba we finally have a capability in metal additive manufacturing, which we didn't have," he says. "there's likely to be a lot of entrepreneurial spirit wrapped around this technology, as well, because now for the first time you'll create new products that you couldn't make before." With precision aDM's state-of-the-art advanced Digital Manufacturing technology, coupled with research, product development and design services, local companies now have an affordable way to produce small to medium quantities of complex parts — even a single part — and prototypes in a few hours. "for the first time now, within three weeks you could have a prototype of a drone flying. and your company can start in a very short period of time," petrak says. over the years, oic has collaborated with canadian Manufacturers and exporters (cMe) to extend awareness of additive manufacturing, and petrak says cMe advanced Manufacturing and Senior executive Leadership champion kevin Lusk has been a great help, sharing expertise in areas such as strategic business planning and connecting oic with leaders in manufacturing and related fields. furthermore, a branch of cMe called canada Makes, which promotes additive manufacturing in canada, has helped precision aDM reach international markets. petrak recently returned from a canada Makes trade mission to germany, where he toured multiple additive manufacturing companies, services centres and clients. petrak expects oic to launch more companies in the future. one possibility is under wraps for now, but another is good news for the oreos of the world. "We do see ourselves developing future solutions in the veterinary area," petrak says. the factory of the future "We've actually created a material that can be 3D-printed and that elutes a drug that can fight knee infection in our patients." oic anD preciSion aDM ceo Martin petrak photo courtesy of the orthopaedic innovation centre

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