Camosun Innovates Launches Open House to Showcase Research Potential

Camosun College’s research centre, known as Camosun Innovates, opened its doors on September 25, 2023, to the Greater Victoria community to highlight its unique applied research capabilities. Located at the Interurban Campus in Saanich, this facility is one of only three such centres in British Columbia, aimed at fostering innovation through collaboration with businesses, non-profit organizations, and governments.

The centre provides vital research services to those looking to develop new products but lacking the necessary resources or facilities. According to Richard Gale, the director of Camosun Innovates, “We provide companies, not-for-profit organizations and governments with research services for things that they want to create and put into the manufacturing pipeline.” He emphasized that the centre allows clients to access advanced technology that may otherwise be out of reach, facilitating improvements in productivity.

Camosun Innovates typically engages with up to 150 clients each year, offering solutions for a diverse range of projects. Examples include developing a custom clamp for motorcycle seats and utilizing 3D scanning and printing techniques to create a replica of a Bowhead whale skeleton. The centre has collaborated with various sectors, including aquaculture, forestry, health, education, and private industry.

One notable project involved the BC Centre for Disease Control during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gale recounted, “When the Pfizer vaccines came in, they had to be kept at -30 C, and as a result, they had a very small window to move them from one packaging option to another. So we created a system by which they could move those Pfizer vaccines.” This example illustrates the centre’s commitment to addressing urgent community needs with innovative solutions.

Innovative Solutions for Diverse Projects

At the open house, Jesse Dardengo, an applied research technologist, showcased a project developed in collaboration with renowned Indigenous artist Carey Newman. Newman had approached Dardengo’s team for assistance in carving totems from multiple pieces of second-growth timber. The result was a novel system that allows for easier shaping and carving of wood, enhancing the ergonomics of traditional methods. Dardengo described it as “essentially a large rotisserie that he can put all the pieces into place, lay out the carving lines and everything that he needs.”

What sets Camosun Innovates apart from conventional private shops is its flexibility and interdisciplinary approach. Gale explained, “One of the beauties of our shop, as opposed to going to another shop in town, is that we are material and process agnostic.” This means they can recommend various materials and processes, whether metal, 3D printing, or composites, tailored to the specific needs of a project.

While Camosun Innovates has supported clients across British Columbia for the past 15 years, the recent open house aimed to increase awareness of their offerings within the local community. Gale noted, “I still go to events here in town and when I talk about what we do, half the room doesn’t know who we are. The whole point of this was to say, ‘We are here.’”

Engaging with the Community

The centre’s capabilities extend to automation systems and robotics, which Gale believes can significantly transform production lines. “We have access to scanning technologies that will simplify your means of production. We have ways to improve your production, to streamline your manufacturing and to solve problems. Our team is completely interdisciplinary,” he stated.

The open house not only served as an introduction to Camosun Innovates but also as an invitation to potential collaborators in the Greater Victoria area. By showcasing their advanced technologies and diverse competencies, the centre hopes to bridge the gap between innovation and community needs.

For more information about Camosun Innovates and its services, visit camosun.ca/innovates.