Project: Mobile Forging Workbench: Client-server access to CAE forging simulation environment, using mobile devices.
The primary goal of the Mobile Forging Workbench ("MoFoWo") project is to develop a commercial client-server software application that will enable mobile access to a simulation environment (“Workbench”) for CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) forging simulations. The overall objectives will be obtained through a set of secondary objectives:
(1) Design and create a DATABASE to store CAE forging simulation data and results
(2) Develop an APPLICATION SERVER that will (a) retrieve data from the database, (b) generate and stream variable resolution display models to the client, (c) apply data mining algorithms to perform cross-analysis queries, and (d) control simulations on clusters.
3) Design and develop a COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL that handles information transfer in an efficient and secure manner.
4) Design and develop a CLIENT APPLICATION on smart phones and pads to access services on the application server. Services shall include 3D visualization of forging models and results, data mining functionality and simulation control. The results from the MoFoWo project are expected to contribute significantly to Transvalor’s ambitious industrial goal to become the CAE forging market leader within the next 5 years. The motivation of Ceetron’s contribution is to develop innovative visualization technology for mobile devices that will be integrated with Transvalor’s software products. The project results will be used further to merge into a generic product (“GLview Mobile 3D Viewer Suite”) targeted at a broader spectrum of CAE systems.
PROJECT SCOPE: The novel MoFoWo software platform for mobile devices will target actors in the CAE/forging industry: engineers and technicians, but also project managers and sales personnel. The product will lower the barrier to utilize complex simulation tools, and thus enable actors without deep technical knowhow to use their mobile terminals to: (a) present, visualize and analyze simulation results for clients and prospective customers, (b) monitor computation runs at distance, and (c) search the simulation database and extract condensed know-how from it by connecting to a distant server. MoFoWo will make simulation data much easier to analyze than in competitive CAE tools, and will enable Transvalor and their distributors to access new growth markets, spreading to user groups that have little or no experience with CAE simulation and analysis. Furthermore, MoFoWo will provide a visible marketing differentiation. The transition from a traditional “workstation/computation cluster” environment – focusing on single simulations – to a mobile client-server environment accessing a complete database of simulations, is a part of Transvalor’s growth strategy when entering new markets. BACKGROUND: In industrial manufacturing, engineers use CAE forging software tools to validate and optimize their production process to in order to make high quality industrial and consumer products at the lowest cost. Today, practical use of these simulation results requires experienced users with a thorough understanding of the software, the forging discipline, and proper use of results and data. Transvalor started a self-funded project to simplify the user experience of Forge, in line with the strategy of making simulation more widely spread. MoFoWo will expand on this concept.
MARKET OPPORTUNITIES: The high-end segment of the forging simulation market is mature and well established. The current technology of Forge has been competitive in this segment. However, today's design centers and production plants are distributed world-wide. The environment of Forge requires a new design to be compatible with this new market's communication needs. MoFoWo has the opportunity to be the first solution and thus, set a de facto standard. There is no similar mobile product or technology supporting CAE simulation results on the market today. Several software companies are however exploring how mobile devices can be used within their CAD/CAE/PLM software environments: Autodesk has recently released a limited version AutoCAD for iPhone/iPad, and SIMULIA has launched the CAD model viewer 3DVIA Mobile HD for iPad. Both products are ‘viewers’ supporting static data (drawings/models). More companies are expected to follow this trend.
PROJECT CONSORTIUM: The project consortium consists of two R&D intensive SMEs; the French company Transvalor S.A., which is responsible for commercialization of MoFoWo; and the Norwegian company Ceetron AS which is a provider of advanced visualization and preprocessing software for finite element based solvers. Both companies are niche software companies with a strong position in their respective markets. Both parties have extensive research experience from both national and international projects.
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Acronym
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MoFoWo
(Reference Number: 6028)
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Duration
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01/01/2011 - 31/12/2012
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Project Topic
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Mobile Forging Workbench is a novel, cloud-based technology enabling mobile access to forging simulations. Key benefits are remote 3D visualization, data mining and simulation control using smart phones/pads. MoFoWo will significantly increase the size of the forging simulation market.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 5
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Project partner
