RDP Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing

06/18/2026

🥳 We are proud to celebrate a major milestone for several of our student interns. Earlier this month, they walked across the stage at spring convocation, marking the successful completion of their academic programs at Red Deer Polytechnic.

Representing diverse disciplines including Animation and Visual Effects, Mechanical Engineering Technology, and Business Administration, their hard work didn't stop when their final exams ended. 🎓 These new graduates transitioned directly from the classroom to the lab, bringing their fresh skills and newfound knowledge to our client projects this summer. Whether they are refining digital models, overseeing advanced manufacturing processes, or managing strategic project communications, their contributions are already making a tangible impact on the real-world challenges we solve for our partners.

Congratulations to our graduates on this incredible accomplishment!

06/12/2026

It's ! Did you know that we've been 3D printing since the doors to the Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing opened in 2009? 🤔❓

CIM-TAC was home to Alberta's first commercial 3D printer, a Stratasys 400MC. We've upgraded to the 450 MC, which is still ideal for creating real parts for conceptual models, functional prototypes, manufacturing tools, and end-use parts.

This high-performance workhorse has a 14 X 16 X 16 inch heated build envelope, and can produce parts to an accuracy of +/- 0.005 inches! Large or complex prints? No worries. Pair that with our state-of-the-art laser scanning technologies and you are ready to reverse engineer your obsolete machine parts.

Whether you’re in industry and need a quick one-off custom part or you’re an inventor with a prototype, we’re here to help with your 3D print needs. Contact us at [email protected] or submit a project request through our website:
➡ rdpolytech.ca/cimtac

06/04/2026

🌄🛻 It's National Accessibility Week, and what better way to mark the occasion than a road trip to Rocky Mountain Adaptive in Canmore with several of our summer applied research interns.

Rocky Mountain Adaptive is a charitable organization that opens doors to meaningful sport and outdoor recreation for individuals with physical, cognitive, or developmental challenges. Executive Director Jamie McCulloch welcomed our group, and talked to us about how RMA came to be, how it has grown over the years, and what it will take to keep expanding their impact on accessibility. ⬆♿

Getting our student interns out in front of real-world industry projects and giving them opportunities to hear directly from clients about their challenges is an important part of the learning experience. We're excited to explore ways that CIM-TAC could support RMA's efforts to better serve more people.

Want to learn more about accessible adventures? Visit RMA online:
🔗 https://rockymountainadaptive.com/

06/01/2026

We're looking forward to attending this new event next week! Come check it out if you'd like to connect with our team and discuss how we can help you with your R&D.

Ready to grow your business and connect with the leaders shaping our region?

Mark your calendar for the Central Alberta Industry Connector Forum! This is your chance to gain exclusive access to major projects happening right here in Central Alberta. Whether you are looking to network with industry professionals, secure new business deals, or find your next great hire, this is the event where leadership, business, and capital connect.

Event Details:
Date: June 12, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Olds College Alumni Centre (Olds, AB)
Tickets: $97 + fee

Don’t miss out on one of the biggest conferences in the region!

🎟️ Buy your tickets now on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/central-alberta-industry-connector-forum-tickets-1986546009591?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/30/2026

🛣 This week, members of our 2026 summer intern team hit the road to represent us at the Nisku Energy Show. Our booth was staffed by several talented Applied Research Technicians, who were on hand to discuss their hands-on experience working at Red Deer Polytechnic and how their academic coursework translates into the requirements of their roles.

Our 2026 intern cohort brings together expertise from a wide variety of disciplines, including:
💚 Engineering (mechanical, electrical, and biomedical)
💚 Marketing
💚 Computer Programming
💚 Data Analytics
💚 Animation

Client projects at CIM-TAC frequently require expertise from all these areas, and the students' contributions are vital to our clients' success. This internship provides them with the opportunity to put their course work to the ultimate test by applying it to real-world situations.

Our booth featured a special guest: Dr. Woof, who was on hand to welcome attendees. This also provided our students with the opportunity to learn a unique new skill—robot dog handling! 🤖🐾

We look forward to sharing more updates on the accomplishments of our intern team throughout the summer.

05/27/2026

Members of the team recently returned from Upper Bound 2026 in Edmonton, a premier AI gathering hosted by the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii).

🌎 As the world of artificial intelligence continues to evolve, CIM-TAC is committed to staying at the forefront of these advancements to better serve our industry partners. Attendance at this conference allowed our team to engage with a global community of researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to discuss how AI can drive productivity, discovery, and collaboration.

We are excited to integrate the ideas and insights gained at Upper Bound into our ongoing applied research projects. Whether it is through optimizing manufacturing processes or developing new technology-enabled solutions, we remain dedicated to bringing the latest global innovations back to Red Deer Polytechnic to support the success of our clients.

A sincere thank you to Amii for hosting such a world-class event and fostering the collisions that spark the future of AI.

05/21/2026

🔍 Central Alberta's companies no longer need to search far and wide for solutions, as many new and advanced manufacturing technologies can be found in the CIM-TAC.

Not only are Canada's technology access centres incubating and advancing technologies and solutions in every industry, we are masters at solving problems through applied research and connecting and collaborating with SME's and big industry partners.

As a public good, TACs such as the CIM-TAC are designed to be a safe space for firms to de-risk the adoption of novel technologies. Our industry-friendly Intellectual Property (IP) policies put the IP in the hands of industry to commercially exploit, a tremendous benefit for small firms hoping to stay nimble and expand.

Over 80% of the companies TACs work with are small and medium-sized businesses, and we provide them with the expertise, equipment, and facilities they need to undertake R&D projects to develop and commercialize new innovations - right here in central Alberta.

Get in touch and see what we can do for you!

Learn more about the TAC network:
🔗 https://tech-access.ca/

05/15/2026

🏅 We are happy to see Visual Arts Instructor Marnie Blair receive the Distinguished Instructor Award from the Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association. 🥳

Marnie has led her students in many interesting projects in the CIM-TAC, turning STEM into STEAM by using our technology to create visual art.

"Working in the CIM-TAC has allowed me to bring interdisciplinary research directly into the studio, giving students insight into how art can connect with health and technology,” she explains.

In both arts education and advanced manufacturing, digital tools are driving new levels of collaboration and innovation, unlocking endless possibilities. Inside and outside the classroom, incorporating art and creative thinking into more right-brained areas of innovation is essential.

Read more about Marnie's award here:
🔗 https://rdpolytech.ca/news/rdp-faculty-member-receives-acifa-distinguished-instructor-award

One of our Visual Art instructors, Marnie Blair, has been honoured with the 2026 Alberta Colleges and Institutes Faculties Association (ACIFA) Distinguished Instructor Award! 🏅

This prestigious award recognizes outstanding post-secondary instructors across Alberta for their commitment to teaching, students and learning.

“At its core, teaching is about creating the conditions for students to take risks, fail, find their voice and build something meaningful,” says Blair, who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lakehead University and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Calgary. “RDP has a caring community among faculty, staff and students. Teaching doesn’t always feel like work when you have that connection.”

Blair’s role at the Polytechnic has also opened doors for interdisciplinary exploration, particularly through collaborations with RDP’s Centre for Innovation in Manufacturing-Technology Access Centre (CIM‑TAC). These opportunities allow her to merge artistic inquiry with emerging technologies.

“The polytechnic model is a great fit for my practice as an artist,” Blair explains. “My research sits at the intersection of art, women’s health, medical humanities and technology. Working in the CIM-TAC has allowed me to bring interdisciplinary research directly into the studio, giving students insight into how art can connect with health and technology.”

Blair received the Distinguished Instructor Award at the 2026 ACIFA Conference held May 3-5 in Jasper, where she also delivered a presentation titled Collective Care and Creative Risk.

Read the full story here: rdpolytech.ca/news/rdp-faculty-member-receives-acifa-distinguished-instructor-award

Red Deer Polytechnic Arts

05/11/2026

Innovation is powering Alberta's future and Red Deer Polytechnic is helping to lead the way 🚀 May 11 – 15 is Canadian Innovation Week!

Innovation is about doing something better to make an impact. In the CIM-TAC, we have many clients who are making a difference - in ag-tech, medical device manufacturing, clean energy, Para sports, and the health and beauty industry to name just a few. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to support these innovators on their journey from idea to commercialization.

Through advancing innovation in digital manufacturing, robotics, or industry modernization, our applied research partnerships help local companies integrate new tools, streamline processes, and stay competitive in their space of relevance.

Created by the Rideau Hall Foundation, is a call to shape a better tomorrow. This year’s “Local Roots, Global Reach” theme celebrates how Canadian innovation begins in our communities and grows to make an impact around the world. Celebrate innovations that address today's many challenges whether they be within Alberta, Canada, or on the global stage. 🌎

🔗 https://canadianinnovationspace.ca/

05/08/2026

Our partners at the Central Alberta Regional Innovation Network (CARIN) are bringing you another round of Catalyst Incubator - starting soon!

Catalyst Incubator, funded through CARIN and provided by Community Futures Central Alberta, is seeking participants for the Fall intake of its unique, cohort-based program.

The program is designed to help foster new ideas, make critical connections, and help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in Central Alberta.

The Catalyst Incubator focuses on supporting start-ups in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and energy as they determine how to get their product or service to market.

The program is 100% funded by CARIN through Alberta Innovates and is FREE to attend for all selected entrepreneurs

For the upcoming Incubator, CARIN is looking for entrepreneurs who have big ideas for Manufacturing and Agriculture.

Would you like to be a part of an Incubator? The fall intake is OPEN for registrations.

🔗 https://www.ca-rin.ca/catalyst-incubator