New spinout speeds up 3D data pre-processing from hours to minutes

Generating 3D mesh digital models is a crucial part of engineering projects, to enable the accurate analysis of structures. But the manual process of creating a grid of interconnecting points is a tedious task and can take up to 90% of an engineer's time, and it isn't a task that is suitable for the current trend of exascale computing. Now, a new technology has emerged from Cranfield University research, creating an automated process that reduces the task from around 8 hours, in some cases, to just a few minutes. By eliminating the manual workload, the technology streamlines workflows, maximizes productivity, and significantly expands the possibilities for innovative engineering solutions.

The new spinout company, Voxshell, specialises in computer-aided engineering (CAE) and its software can enable faster, smarter and more efficient product creation through a new meshing algorithm for high performance computing. It has applications in additive manufacturing and in industries such as aerospace, automotive and the energy sector.

"The new automated process that we have created has huge benefits for engineers who have had to tackle this task manually," commented Dr Liang Yang who is founder and CEO of Voxshell, and Lecturer in Marine Renewable Energy Systems at Cranfield University. "It's a technology I first started developing four years ago for computational fluid dynamics projects I was working on. I soon realised it had a commercial application for industry and we're now also exploring healthcare applications. The efficiencies the software is creating are quite remarkable - we aim to mesh every part within five minutes on a desktop."

The company has just released ChopMesh, its fully automated meshing solution, with a free trial online and a standalone Windows version available for download.

The software has a UK patent secured and international patent pending, and has already attracted over £150,000 of funding and support. Voxshell joined the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) business support programme Digital BIC earlier this year. The programme aims to help early-stage technology businesses succeed in global markets. The company also has support from the Healthcare Technologies Capability Connector (HTCC) partnership which is a joint initiative from Imperial College London, Cranfield University and the University of Hertfordshire. The HTCC boosts commercialisation activity through joint expertise and infrastructure to support spinout companies.

Cranfield University's entrepreneurial support, particularly specialist expertise from the School of Management, has also supported the development of the spinout company.

Robert Evans, Technology Transfer Manager at Cranfield University, said: "This technology has immense potential to bring real efficiencies to laborious processes in many sectors. It's fantastic to see Dr Yang commercialise his innovation and attract significant funding and support."

Cranfield was recently recognised for its best practice in supporting spinouts by Research England. The University has adopted recommendations from a review in full.