Camosun Innovates Launches Open House to Showcase Creativity

On September 25, 2023, Camosun College’s applied research centre, Camosun Innovates, opened its doors to the public in Saanich, British Columbia. This event aimed to highlight the centre’s role in fostering innovation and creativity within the region. One of only three applied research centres in the province, Camosun Innovates serves a variety of clients, including companies, non-profit organizations, and government entities.

Supporting Innovation Across Sectors

According to Richard Gale, director of Camosun Innovates, the centre provides essential research services to those who lack the resources or facilities necessary for product development. “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 explained. “We get technology into our centre that other companies can’t afford to use or acquire, giving them the opportunity to see and work with it to improve their productivity.”

Each year, Camosun Innovates collaborates with up to 150 clients, tackling projects that range from designing unique clamps for motorcycle seats to using 3D technology to create a replica Bowhead whale skeleton. Over the years, the centre has engaged with 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 recalled how the team developed a system to transfer Pfizer vaccines, which required storage at -30 °C. “They had a very small window to move them from one packaging option to another,” he said. “So we created a system by which they could move those Pfizer vaccines.”

Unique Solutions and Community Engagement

Another interesting project emerged from a collaboration with renowned Indigenous artist Carey Newman. Applied research technologist Jesse Dardengo led a team that designed a system to assist Newman in carving totems from multiple pieces of second-growth timber. The innovative solution resembles a large rotisserie, allowing Newman to lay out carving lines and adjust the pieces easily, enhancing ergonomics compared to traditional carving methods.

What distinguishes Camosun Innovates from other private research facilities is its flexibility and interdisciplinary approach. “We are material and process agnostic,” Gale noted. “If you go to a machine shop with a problem, they’re going to create something in metal. We might suggest metal, 3D printing, or cutting something out of composites.” This versatility enables the centre to offer tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of each client.

Despite serving clients across British Columbia for the past 15 years, the open house was also an opportunity for Camosun Innovates to raise awareness within the local community. Gale expressed his desire for greater visibility, stating, “I still go to events here in town and half the room doesn’t know who we are. The whole point of this was to say, ‘We are here.’”

During the open house, Gale emphasized the potential benefits of their advanced technologies, stating, “We have automation systems and robotics that could completely transform your production line. We have access to scanning technologies that will simplify your means of production.”

For those interested in exploring the possibilities that Camosun Innovates offers, further information can be found at camosun.ca/innovates.