Cranfield University spinout Voxshell reduces 3D mesh processing time with ChopMesh software

Voxshell, a new spinout company from Cranfield University, UK, has developed an automated process that reportedly reduces the task of generating 3D mesh digital models from around eight hours, in some cases, to just a few minutes. Through a new meshing algorithm, the software is said to enable faster, smarter and more efficient product creation.

Generating 3D mesh digital models is a crucial part of engineering projects to enable the accurate analysis of structures, explains Voxshell. However, the manual process of creating a grid of interconnecting points is tedious and can take up to 90% of an engineer’s time.

“The new automated process that we have created has huge benefits for engineers who have had to tackle this task manually,” stated 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. The software has a UK patent secured and an 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.”

The software has applications in Additive Manufacturing and is being targeted at the aerospace, automotive and energy sectors.

www.cranfield.ac.uk
www.voxshell.com

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