Aerospace Technology Access Centre

Cégep Édouard-Montpetit, St-Hubert, Québec
What the facility does

The centre helps businesses and organizations innovate with technical support, technology development, information and training

Areas of expertise

The centre’s mission is to provide its clients and partners, particularly small and medium entreprises, with high-quality services in applied research, technology transfer and development, helping them increase their knowledge, productivity and competitiveness, and the quality of their products, processes and services.

Research services

The centre specializes in development, analysis and manufacturing of metal components or composite materials, non-destructive testing, robotics, avionics and aircraft operations. We have centres for environmental testing, prototyping capabilities, manufacturing (metal and composites), coordinate-measuring machine programming and inspection services, and a coordinate-measuring machine.

Sectors of application
  • Aerospace and satellites
  • Manufacturing and processing
  • Transportation
Specialized labEquipment Function
HALT and HASS laboratoryHALT and HASSAccelerated aging test stand – electronic and avionics equipment
Composites laboratory150-ton Wabash press

Large high-temperature presses

  • 1 m (30 in.) by 1 m (30 in.) platen heating up to 426°C (800°F)
  • Total opening of 50 cm (20 in.)
 400-ton Eagle press
  • 1.2 m (4 ft.) x 2.5 m (8 ft.) adjustable and movable platen
  • Platen heating up to 200°C (392°F)
  • Total opening: 2.5 m (8 ft.)
 ASC Process Systems autoclave
  • Maximum temperature: 400°C (752°F)
  • Maximum pressure: 14 bars (200 psi)
  • Internal dimensions: 0.6 m (24 in.) x 1.2 m (48 in.)
 Gerber DSC 2500 automated cutter
  • Automated fiber-reinforced material cutting machine
  • 2.59 m (102 in.) x 1.65 m (65 in.) usable cutting surface
  • For dry or pre-impregnated fibres
  • Circular carbide blade
  • Straight detail blade
  • Punching
  • Precision: ± -0.4 mm (-0.015 in.)
 KEYENCE VHX-200E digital microscope

Microscope with automated analysis

  • Up to 5000x magnification
  • Integrated measurement software
  • Image correction algorithms (collage, stabilization, 3D focus)
 MTS fatigue testing system

100 kN mechanical fatigue testing system

  • Hydraulic grips
  • Tension and compression tests
  • Metals and composites
Non-destructive testing laboratoryUltrasound systems
  • 32/128 phased array system (Zetec)
  • Conventional ultrasonic instruments (Olympus, GE)
  • Advanced analysis software: UltraVision (Zetec) and Ultis (AIRBUS)

Immersion or contact inspection

  • GLIDER 2-axis mechanical scanner (Olympus)
  • Bond tester (Olympus)
 Telops thermographic infrared camera
  • Telops cooled camera
  •  Visiooimage analysis software
  •  Use of flash, step and lock-in mode
  •  Line scan inspection system mounted on ABB robot
 Ultrasound and laser-ultrasound systems
  • 32/128 phased array system (Zetec)
  • Conventional ultrasonic instruments (Olympus, GE)
  • Advanced analysis software: UltraVision (Zetec) and Ultis (AIRBUS)
  • Immersion or contact inspection
  • GLIDER 2-axis mechanical scanner (Olympus)
  • Bond tester (Olympus)
  • Tecnar laser-ultrasound system
  • Robot programming (Robotmaster)
  • C-scan (analyses with Ultis) generation
Robotics laboratoryRobot KUKA KR 500-F-MT
  • Milling and handling on rail KL 1500-3 T
  • 22,000 RPM HSD ES789 spindle
  • Aluminum and composite material milling
  • Rated load: 500 kg
  • Reach: 2.8 m
  • KR C4 controller
 Robot KUKA KR 300 R2500 F ultra
  • Robot for handling on rail KL 1500-3 T
  • Rated load: 300 kg
  • Reach: 2.5 m
  • KR C4 controller
 FANUC robot M-710iC/50
  • Milling and handling robot
  • 22,000 RPM PRECISE spindle SD5084
  • Metal milling, deburring and polishing
  • Rated load: 50 kg
  • Repeatability: ± 0.07 mm
  • R-30iB controller
 FANUC robot M710iC/70
  • Handling robot
  • Reach: 2 m
  • Rated load: 70 kg
  • Repeatability: ± 0.07 mm
  • R-30iB controller
 NDI PRO CMM Optical TrackerPRO CMM Optical Tracker robotic vision system
 Creaform systemMetraSCAN, HandySCAN and HandyPROBE robotic vision system
Metrology laboratoryMitutoyo coordinate-measuring machineThe extraordinarily large Mitutoyo machine can measure using contact with Renishaw’s contact  (SP25) and REVO modules or with a non-contact laser probe. Parts: 1.6 m (63 in.) x 3 m (118 in.) x 1.1 m (43 in.)
Machining laboratoryMakino a81M CNC milling machine
  • 5-axis turn-mill centre
  • Titanium, Inconel and Waspaloy® milling
  • Maximum couple: 1000 Nm and 8,000 RPM
  • FANUC 31i Pro5 controller
 DMGMori NT 4200/1500 SZ turn-mill centre
  • Turn-mill centre
  • Two mandrels of 200 mm and 5000 RPM
  • 12,000 RPM spindle
  • FANUC 31i  / MAPPS-IV controller
 Huron K2X8 turn-mill centre
  • 5-axis turn-mill centre
  • Aluminum and composite material milling
  • 24,000 RPM spindle
  • 840D controller
  • NSERC – Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
  • NRC – National Research Council Canada – IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program)
  • CRIAQ – Consortium de recherche et d'innovation en aérospatiale au Québec
  • CED – Canada Economic Development
  • FRQNT – Fonds de recherche du Québec – Nature et technologies
  • SIF – Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund
  • MESI – Premier emploi en recherche
  • MESI – Passeport innovation
  • PART – Programme d'aide à la recherche et au transfert
  • PRIMA – Advanced Materials Research and Innovation Hub
  • SAGE – Research group on Strategies and Actors of Environmental Governance
  • MELS – Ministère de l’Éducation du Loisir et du Sport of Québec