The ability of Red Deer College to turn manufacturing ideas into equipment that private industries can use is strong, says the new director of Applied Research and Innovation.
Eric Kokko began his new role at RDC this week, overseeing the Applied Research and Innovation department as well as the Centre for Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing.
The overall premise behind these areas involves taking ideas and innovations and make something out of them.
A fair amount of research, plus machinery and equipment, are involved.
Kokko said the college has a “fantastic infrastructure” that is second to none in Canada.
“So it’s a huge capital investment in Red Deer of having these tools and instruments that can build prototypes and test them,” said Kokko.
“We’re open for business for all local and provincial businesses.”
Businesses don’t need to have millions of dollars in equipment because the college has state-of-the-art equipment, he added.
Primary businesses that may be interested are manufacturers, whether they be in agriculture, oilfield or any other sector.
These businesses may have developed a replacement part for a piece of equipment that needs testing, for example.
The college has a piece of equipment that can replicate anything in three dimensions.
“And then we can rebuild it so we have a rapid prototype,” he said.
Students are trained on robotic assembly lines.
Trades people are also involved in using the machinery and in designing.
“It’s a very exciting, creative environment,” Kokko said.
As part of Kokko’s role, he will be responsible for negotiating dollars for applied research projects with government departments, funding agencies, and private industries.
Kokko replaced Derek Gratz, who left RDC for a similar position at an University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus.
Kokko’s last position was as president and CEO of the Alberta Terrestrial Imaging Corp., a satellite imaging business from Lethbridge.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com