A multi-million dollar software grant from Siemens' product lifecycle management (PLM) software business will give students at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario the opportunity to use the same technology in its design and manufacturing research programs that businesses around the world employ to design some of today's most sophisticated products.
The in-kind software grant, with a commercial value of more than $458 million, includes Siemens' NX™ software, Teamcenter® portfolio, Tecnomatix® portfolio, LMS™ solutions, the Fibersim™ portfolio and the Syncrofit™ portfolio. These software offerings represent a comprehensive set of solutions for computer-aided design and manufacturing, finite element analysis, lifecycle data management, digital manufacturing, systems engineering, simulation/test, and multi-material/composites design optimization. Siemens is a leading global provider of PLM software and services for a wide variety of industries including automotive, aerospace, machinery, medical devices, shipbuilding and electronics.
The grant announcement was made today during the McMaster Manufacturing Forum, a full-day event held at the McMaster Innovation Park, McMaster Automotive Resource Centre and a number University campus labs, which brought together industry experts, research staff, faculty, students and other stakeholders and included panel discussions, information sessions and an industry open house. The forum's theme this year is Manufacturing a Renaissance: A Made in Canada Solution.
Engineering students and faculty will use the sophisticated software at the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute, one of the largest institutes of its kind in Canada. The 15,000-square-foot facility is designed to meet the complex needs of leading manufacturers in the polymer, automotive and aerospace industries, as well as the tool, die and mold industry.
The software will help enable students to develop the advanced skills required by the more than 77,000 global customers who already use Siemens' PLM software and technology solutions, including 29 of the world's top 30 automakers and 18 of the top 20 aircraft and engine original equipment manufacturers.
Siemens places great emphasis on collaboration with Canada's academic institutions. Since 2014, Siemens Canada has signed seven memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with colleges and universities in Ontario and Alberta with the aim to provide enhanced support and training for tomorrow's skilled workforce, fostering innovation and driving economic activity in Canada. MOUs currently exist with McMaster University, Mohawk College, Seneca College, Sheridan College, University of Waterloo, University of Alberta (Edmonton) and North Alberta Institute of Technologies (Edmonton).
