A pioneer and world leader in virtual prototyping has become the latest company to join the fast-growing Manufacturing Technology Centre in Coventry. The move underpins the MTC’s position as one of the leading simulation and virtual reality centres in the UK.
ESI, with its UK base in Cannock, Staffordshire, has been providing its virtual reality software to the MTC for some time, and has now formally joined as a Tier Two member. ESI virtual reality experts are working hand in hand with MTC engineers and technicians from other member companies to develop ESI’s world-leading simulation software for manufacturing companies of all sizes.
ESI, a French company with bases all over the world, provides virtual prototyping software and services to a wide range of sectors, aiming to replace physical prototypes with numerical models. Providing a realistic and accurate simulation of product behaviour during testing, ESI’s software allows the correction of design errors and the development of fabrication and assembly processes before committing major investment.
Maurice Linscott, head of ESI’s UK operations, said, “ESI is delighted to be joining the MTC as a Tier Two member. This enables the MTC and ESI to further the support for UK SME’s and larger engineering organisations. It allows us to bring benefits of engineering and manufacturing simulation to members and other UK companies by assisting them to accelerate their capability to deliver world class products,”
He added, “ESI’s virtual reality solution, IC.IDO, running in an Immersive facility at the MTC, brings further capabilities to organisations including more efficient communication and decision-making during product design and development and early evaluation of manufacturing and maintenance operations. The systems now in place at the MTC offer real life experience and real-time interactions in a digital environment. IC.IDO enables high value decisions to be made in advance of expensive physical prototypes. ESI sees its involvement with the MTC as a key enabler, bringing best in class simulation approaches to the UK engineering sector.”
MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman said he was delighted to welcome ESI as the latest member of the MTC.
“ESI’s immersive virtual reality programmes have been used in the MTC’s virtual reality suite for some time, helping manufacturers plan production processes and layouts in an environment which brings designs and plans to life. It was a natural progression for ESI to become a full member of the MTC and we look forward to helping our other members make the right decisions throughout the product development phase.”
The growth of the Manufacturing Technology Centre has far exceeded expectations, achieving many of its targets five years ahead of schedule. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which is supported by Innovate UK (formerly the Technology Strategy Board).
Also joining the MTC are Droitwich-based radio frequency identification and bar-coding specialists Fairfield Ltd, and Edgecam, a groundbreaking provider of CAD/CAM software for CNC machining and part of Cheltenham-based Vero Software.
