Spin-out wins Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation

Commenting on the award, Simpleware Ltd’s Managing Director Dr Philippe Young, who is in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, said: “We are delighted that our software has been recognised by this accolade. It is a testament to the effort made by the whole team at Simpleware over a number of years.”

The award recognises Simpleware Ltd’s achievements in applying computer simulation techniques to complex structures and objects, such as the human body, composite materials, and soil, for which no computer aided drawings (CAD) are available. Based on patented algorithms developed by Simpleware, a radical new approach to generating models is now possible and this has opened up image-based analysis to a variety of industries and research areas. Over 90% of sales are export-based with a customer base coming from a wide range of blue chip companies, leading research institutes and universities world-wide including NASA, the US Naval Research Laboratory and the Fraunhofer Institute. Through the innovation, the business has been outstandingly successful internationally.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are highly esteemed awards for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of Innovation, International Trade and Sustainable Development. The awards are made annually on the Queen’s Birthday and are only given for the highest levels of excellence demonstrated in each category. HM The Queen will host a reception for the winners at Buckingham Palace in 2012.

Simpleware is a high technology spin-off company from the University of Exeter. Simpleware develops industryleading software solutions for the conversion of 3D images (as obtained from MRI, CT, Micro-CT for example) into high quality Finite Element, CAD and Rapid Prototyping models. Simpleware software is being used by engineers and researchers in a variety of fields including: Implant Design and Biomedical Engineering, Materials Research, Geosciences, Oil & Gas, Industrial Reverse Engineering, and Natural Sciences. Customers range from international blue chip corporations to research institutions and universities world-wide. Simpleware software is based on proprietary technology that significantly facilitates the processing and integration of image, CAD and computational analysis (FEA and CFD). Unlike other approaches, Simpleware provides the most comprehensive software solution from importing 3D images through to direct export to commercial FEA/CFD solvers and CAD packages. This means that with Simpleware software users can produce better models in a fraction of the time taken with alternative approaches.