We get industry into market.
The Product Development Exchange lab at the Casa Loma Campus features leading-edge rapid prototyping tools including 3D printers, laser and water jet cutters, CNC machines and mechanical and electrical component building and testing equipment, for iterative development of prototypes.
Contact us today to learn more.
Learn more about the Product Development Exchange
Our mission
PDx helps companies at virtually every stage of the product life cycle, at a variety of company sizes.
The Product Development Exchange connects Canadian industry to market-focused applied research that accelerates physical product innovation.
PDx is the first stand-alone facility in the GTA to offer industry-focused, early-stage, prototype design, development and assessment services. We help local industry bring their ideas to market, giving Ontario’s small to medium-sized enterprises a way to design, prototype and validate a variety of new products and services.
Services
Our service offerings are designed to help your company explore the entire product life cycle with our in-house experts and state-of-the-art labs.
Business Development
- Project Scoping
- Market Research
- Patent Scan
- Referrals
- Project Planning
- Grant Writing
- Industry Outreach Events
Prototype Assessment
- Quality Inspection
- Simulation Trial
- Field Trial
- Usability Testing
- Materials Testing
- Failure Analysis
Concept Design
- Ideation
- Mechanical Design
- Electrical Design
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Materials Selection
- Design for Manufacturing
- Embedded Software Design
- User-Centred Design
- System Engineering
Technical Communications
- Design Package
- Test Reports
- Operating Manuals
- Custom Training
- Seminars
Prototype Fabrication
- 3D Printing
- CNC Routing and Milling
- Waterjet Cutting
- Laser Cutting/Engraving
- Manual Machining
- Embedded Software Coding
- Electronics Assembly
- Test Sample Production
- Membership/Equipment Access
Product Research
- Concept Review
- Competitor Analysis
- Customer Research
Our Clients
From start-up to established firm, we're here to get your ideas into the hands of your customer.
Our Team
James McIntyre
Professor & Principal Investigator
James McIntyre, MPD, leads George Brown College’s Product Development Exchange (PDx), an interdisciplinary design, prototyping and assessment facility for industry experimental development of new products through iterative and rapid prototyping. Since 2007, under Mr. McIntyre’s stewardship, PDx teams have delivered over 91 prototyping solutions to partners across multiple sectors, not only aiding them to develop fully validated prototypes ready for downstream manufacturing but also assisting them to integrate product design and development into their business models and develop the partnerships required to support full-scale manufacturing and commercialization.
Mr. McIntyre has been a Professor and Program Coordinator of Mechanical Engineering Technology – Design in George Brown College’s (GBC) Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies since 2000. With a Master’s degree in Product Development, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Physics (Mechanical), and 8 years of industry experience in manufacturing engineering, Mr. McIntyre has distinguished himself as a leader in industry-facing innovation and in building applied research capacity at GBC, energizing research across all the College’s strategic priority areas. For 16 years, he has continued to foster and expand meaningful relationships with his industry partners, students and research teams, ultimately enhancing the knowledge base across Canada. Within his Mechanical Engineering classes, he oversees up to 18 curriculum-based student capstone projects annually, nearly all of which have an associated industry partnership.
Areas of Expertise
- Design
- Product Development
- Rapid Prototyping
- Mechanical engineering
- Electronics
- Manufacturing
- Management
John-Allan Ellingson
Professor, Technologist, Principal Investigator, Research Asst.
John-Allan Ellingson, B.Eng., has since 2017 worked in George Brown College’s Product Development Exchange (PDx), an interdisciplinary design, prototyping and assessment facility for industry experimental development of new products through iterative and rapid prototyping. Since 2007, PDx teams have delivered over 91 prototyping solutions to partners across multiple sectors, not only aiding them to develop fully validated prototypes ready for downstream manufacturing but also assisting them to integrate product design and development into their business models and develop the partnerships required to support full-scale manufacturing and commercialization.
John-Allan has been a Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering Technology since 2018, teaching courses in the Mechanical and Electromechanical Engineering Technician and Technologist programs. His work as a researcher supports the culture of innovation at GBC and creates new avenues for industry-focused teaching, as well as employment and mentorship for student researchers. He has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Lakehead University.
Areas of Expertise
- Design
- Prototyping
- CNC
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electronics
- Programming
Ryan Billinger
Program Manager
Ryan Billinger is a Program Manager working within George Brown College’s Product Development Exchange (PDx), an interdisciplinary design, prototyping and assessment facility for industry experimental development of new products through iterative and rapid prototyping. Ryan Billinger has been a Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology – Design in George Brown College’s (GBC) Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies since 2017. As a George Brown College graduate (2015), Mr. Billinger has been working on various research projects since 2013, when he was first employed by the Research and Innovation Department. In addition to Graduating from George Brown College, he completed his third-year capstone project at the University of Toronto, where he teamed up with two University of Toronto students to design and manufacture a fully functioning four-stroke engine. The engine was later used in an ultra fuel-efficient vehicle that competed at the Shell Eco-Marathon in Houston, Texas winning First Place (3421 MPG).
Areas of Expertise
- Electrical Design
- Product Development
- PCB Schematics & Layout
- CNC machining
- CAM programming
- Data Acquisition & Analysis
Shayva Steinberg
Industrial Designer, Professor & Principal Investigator
As a part-time faculty member teaching in both the engineering and architecture streams at George Brown College (GBC), Shayva Steinberg brings an unusual combination of skills to the table. In addition to a Master of Education in Guidance Counselling, and a wealth of experience in the field of employment, Shayva also holds an advanced diploma from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Industrial Design, and has managed her own (product, environment and lighting) design business for several years.
In her work as a Principal Investigator, Shayva Steinberg leads and plans applied research projects between college researchers, students and Industry Partners. With an extensive background in industrial design, Shayva creates the ergonomic, interface and aesthetic aspects of the prototypes engineered by students and faculty. As a researcher, writer and editor, Shayva sources a broad range of relevant and tertiary information to deeply understand concepts and coalesce information from many sources for comparative analysis.
Areas of Expertise
- Human Factors
- Engineering Design
- Materials Processing/fabrication
- Cognitive Science
- Graphics
- Social sciences and humanities
- Industrial Design
Paul O'Brien
Professor, PI
Paul O’Brien, B.Tech., B.Sc., has been a Professor of Engineering Technology in GBC’s CCET since 2011. With a Bachelor of Technology degree in Electronics Engineering Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Biology, and over 20 years of experience in electronic instrumentation and rehabilitation engineering, Paul has worked in research across all of the College’s strategic priority areas. For the last 3 years, he has fostered meaningful relationships with his industry partners, students and research teams.
His applied research contributions offer a range of collaboration with industry and community partners, providing a cost-effective way for SMEs to develop innovative products and services. His work in applied research supports the culture of innovation at GBC and helps develop new avenues for experiential student learning. As a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator Paul O’Brien has developed, scoped and planned new research projects between college researchers, students and our industry partners.
Areas of Expertise
- Electrical Engineering
- Interaction
- Sensors
- Instrumentation
- Digital Electronics
- Educational Informatics
- Building Automation
- Medical Rehabilitation Technology
- Micro-Controller Programming
Arbab Khan
Manager, Industry Liaison & Business Development (PDx)
Arbab draws from his extensive project management and business development experience as well as his practical experience in the construction industry to provide expertise and guidance to partners seeking solutions to mechanical engineering and construction sector research and innovation challenges. Skilled in managing projects in the fields of advanced prototyping, robotics information technology, building automation, IoT, and software development, Arbab has helped multiple clients execute projects and achieve success in developing innovative processes and products. His background working for numerous organizations is complimented by his master’s degree in Project Management (NICMAR), his post-graduate certificates in Construction Management (Fanshawe College, President’s Honor Roll) and Building Information Modelling (George Brown College, Dean’s List), and his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering (Jamia Millia Islamia University).
Email: arbab.khan@georgebrown.ca
Reynaldo Maniquis
Student Researcher
Jamshedshoh Kamolzoda
Student Researcher
Diego Cristancho Paez
Student Researcher
Anastasiia Shulik
Student Researcher
Paul Zhou
