Tecnica UK, an engineering design consultancy specialising in crankshaft, connecting rods and axle beam forging designs for the automotive industry, is using HPC to reduced processing time of its complex 3D computer simulations. The bespoke design, implementation, configuration and support of the entire HPC system is provided by the UK HPC integrator, OCF.
Tecnica can also use performance from the HPC system proportionately – for example Tecnica can use performance from all 16 cores of the HPC system on a single large simulation (and run other simulations sequentially). Alternatively, it can use performance from four cores, for example, on a first smaller simulation, four cores on a second smaller simulation and so on (running smaller simulations concurrently).
The ability to run smaller simulations concurrently – potentially for different customers – enables Tecnica to complete more simulations in less time, increasing productivity and ultimately increasing profit.
Using the power and performance of the HPC system to make its simulation process more efficient and effective, Tecnica is helping customers reduce time spent on the overall forge design process and helping them to bring products to market more quickly. '3D simulation is now an essential part of the forge design process,' says Mark Wren, simulation and design, Tecnica UK. 'The power and performance of the HPC system takes our simulation to another level – reducing processing time for simulations and enabling us to allocate performance to simulations which need it most.'
To ensure maximum power and performance, OCF's HPC system design consists of both an IBM System x3655 Server and IBM System x3455 Servers, both with AMD Opteron Dual-Core processors.
The design also includes AcoustiRACK, a sound-proofed rackmount cabinet, which enables Tecnica to house the HPC system in its main office without the noise affecting staff productivity or breaching Health & Safety regulations. The AcoustiRACK was also selected by OCF because of its built-in cooling fans which help to remove heat from the system.
