In Boisbriand and Saint-Eustache, in the northern suburbs, the two factories of a leader in the production of titanium, aluminum and nickel alloy powders are thriving. AP
These powders are intended for additive manufacturing, mainly three-dimensional printing. “This is a decidedly atypical process,” says process engineer Laetitia Kitissou, data analyst at AP, in an interview.
However, the engineer cannot reveal too much, as the projects on which the highly regulated company works are confidential.
According to the graduate in chemical engineering from Polytechnique, the additive metal powder industry is little known, and deserves to be better known. “It’s very niche. »
The engineer evolves within an industry at the cutting edge of perpetually developing technology, which stimulates her to the highest degree. “It gives us the freedom to create tools that don’t yet exist. We can try our ideas, implement them. There is a lot to discover because the information is developing,” says Ms. Kitissou lively. “It’s like an industry that hasn’t yet revealed all its secrets to us. »
She marvels at watching the changes happen before her eyes, among her AP peers.
“Sometimes we have to start from zero, like an empty canvas,” she explains. That’s the challenge. I don’t have all the knowledge, but I have to go find it and build on it. It’s a super motivating process. And when you take the time to build something little by little and discover in the end that it works, it’s rewarding. »
One day, she can work on monitoring the performance of a process in order to optimize production, the next day, on algorithms to reflect artificial intelligence. “These are new concepts that may seem distant, but I have the opportunity to touch them, learn and bring value to the company,” she rejoices.
Laetitia Kitissou encourages engineers intrigued by the metal powder industry for 3D printing not to fear the unknown. “Of course, we don’t know everything. This does not mean that we cannot accomplish something or advance projects. »
And the engineer aspires to a bright future for 3D printing powered by AP powders
“If we could apply this kind of production to all kinds of other areas, like automobiles, it could change things. It’s not nothing,” she concludes.