Engineering Laboratory Opens at McMaster

May 9, 2011

Joey Chan, a student in the Bachelor of Technology automotive program, describes his design project to Matt Crossley, director of engineering, GM Canada, at the opening of McMaster’s PACE Lab.

The Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) Lab has been established by General Motors, Autodesk, HP, Oracle, and Siemens PLM Software at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.

“We want our engineering and technology students equipped to thrive in the automotive industry of the future,” said McMaster President and Vice Chancellor Patrick Deane. “That industry is one that is global in scope and collaborative in nature. PACE provides our students with the chance to work with their peers from around the world and gives them exposure to tomorrow’s technologies.”

PACE has made an in-kind contribution of state-of-the-art computer-based hardware, such as 3-D navigation devices and engineering workstations and engineering software used by automakers around the globe for product planning, engineering, analysis, and data management. The university also receives technical and educational materials for student and instructor training and academic support.

Sixty-seven computer workstations have been installed in two locations at the university, one in the new engineering technology building and the other in the John Hodgins engineering building. The workstations are used by students in both the Bachelor of Engineering and Bachelor of Technology programs. PACE software on the computers includes Siemens PLM Software NX® and Teamcenter®, Autodesk AliasDesign®, Maya®, and SketchBook® Pro.

Students are collaborating with their peers at the University of Cincinnati to develop a near-pollution-free vehicle propelled by compressed air. McMaster is developing the propulsion system, Cincinnati is developing the frame and chassis. The project will be presented at the 2011 PACE Global Annual Forum this July in Vancouver.

The PACE laboratory also received contributions from 14 other companies. Founded in 1999, PACE supports 56 academic institutions in 12 countries through the contribution of computer-based engineering tools. Its goal is to prepare the engineers, designers, and analysts of the future by providing students in mechanical design, engineering, analysis, and manufacturing with the digital and collaboration skills they need to succeed in their professional careers.

PACE students are introduced to product life cycle management (PLM), which connects the development, production, and after-sales service stages of a product.

For more information, visit www.mcmaster.ca and www.pacepartners.org.