News: Ageia games technology helps factory design

UK engineering company AMTRI is using games technology to dramatically boost its software used to simulate factories.

The firm has opted to use the Physx Accelerator from Ageia, which is used by graphics card manufacturers like Asus and BFG for high-end gaming rigs.

AMTRI is one of the first companies in the world to adopt the technology for industrial use and claims the result will be far more realistic simulations.

The company said that PhysX will enable its own factory simulation software to offer more dramatic simulations of things like collisions, explosions, complex jointed geometries, fabrics that drape and tear, dense smoke and liquids and multiple objects and particles.

Bob Lloyd, simulation manager at AMTRI, said: “Adopting this advanced technology for industrial use means we can bring new realism, accuracy and immediacy to factory simulation.

"Decision-makers in many aspects of the supply chain – from design, through manufacturing, to handling and distribution – will be able to far more effectively and affordably test ideas, and plan and implement production, with less risk of error and more certainty of a successful outcome.”

AMTRI will be targeting the software at the SME market, which it claims cannot usually afford simulation software.

Mr Lloyd explained: “Before, only large companies could afford this kind of important asset. With our solution, SMEs may now commit to vital new business contracts, or test configuration changes, knowing that operations will work to plan and in practice."

He said potential difficulties for companies may be foreseen and dealt with before they arise, rather than having to be rectified later at a high cost.