EikoSim improves digital simulation

Florent Mathieu and Renaud Gras are former students of ENS Cachan (now ENS Paris-Saclay) in mechanical engineering, followed by a Master's in materials mechanics, graduating in 2009. They each completed a thesis in this field at the Mechanics and Technology Laboratory, which in 2022 became the Laboratory of Mechanics Paris-Saclay (LMPS - Univ. Paris-Saclay/CNRS/CentraleSupélec/ENS Paris-Saclay). "I developed software for research demonstration purposes, focusing on the measurement of deformation using digital image correlation," explains Florent Mathieu. The parts are photographed during testing to digitally reconstruct how the object behaves. This also provides information on the mechanics of the materials.

During their research, the duo realised that such software would be beneficial to the industry. These measurements can be used for digital simulation calculations. "It is very difficult, because these are point cloud technologies. A change of reference points is required to obtain readable data, which is not necessarily intuitive for users. But the team we were working with discovered a way of solving this problem using calculations," explains Florent Mathieu. The partners then decided to turn it into commercial software.

In 2015, they began their pre-incubation start-up on the Saclay plateau. They took part in the first call for applications from SATT Paris-Saclay that same year, and won funding to help them move from software development to an industrial prototype. They founded the start-up EikoSim in 2016 to offer these products for sale. Florent Mathieu became CEO and Renaud Gras, CTO. The company was then incubated at Télécom Paris and supported by SATT Paris-Saclay. Thanks to a BPI competition, the co-founders trained in business creation through the HEC Challenge +.

In 2019, EikoSim raised 500,000 euros in funds to build up a development team. "It enabled us to recruit dedicated developers. It complements our skills. We also hired a sales representative. From that point on, we really went from being a service company to a software development company," explains the co-founder. EikoSim currently has no plans to raise further funds, as the market is too small. The co-founders are more interested in seeking out partnerships or publishers whose measuring equipment would complement their customers' needs. "We are players in the tool chain. We are not necessarily aiming for huge growth," adds Florent Mathieu. Today, the start-up employs ten people in its Montrouge offices, and its turnover is almost at break-even point.
 

Simulation software

From the outset, EikoSim has worked with partner research laboratories and manufacturers, such as Safran Aircraft Engines and ArianeGroup. "We started out in the space industry, with people who wanted to significantly optimise the mechanical performance of their structures. In aeronautics, it was mainly to make lighter aircraft, to consume less, and for ArianeGroup, to reduce the cost of launchers," explains the co-founder.

Competition in this field is fierce. It is about whoever is first to bring a new technology to market. Development time is linked to the different tests and simulations. In the past, parts were only tested under real conditions. Today, digital simulation has partly replaced testing. "Manufacturers now have to juggle physical testing and digital simulation. But to do so, they need to have confidence in this simulation. It is important to ask whether this is enough for the authorities to validate the part. Our job is to improve the credibility of the models," adds Florent Mathieu.

With this in mind, the company is studying prototypes. Sensors are installed to collect data. The co-founder continues: "These sensors ensure that we can observe what is happening throughout the entire structure. Several cameras take continuous pictures. We will see if the material behaves as expected. We will optimise the simulation to bring it closer to reality."

EikoSim is developing a model similar to that of digital twins, applied to structures. This ensures that the test represents the life of the part but remains only a set of data. Virtual tests are identical to those carried out physically. Simulation is therefore used to extrapolate data when it is impossible to carry out real tests, such as in space or at extreme temperatures. As the tests progress, the digital version becomes enhanced and increasingly realistic, making it highly predictive. Once the digital model has been validated, testing takes just a few hours, compared with several months for full-scale tests.

EikoSim's technology is based on nominal geometry, which makes different measurements possible. "We collect a lot of information, what we call data fusion. We collect deformation data using infrared sensors in visible light, using cameras combined with digital simulation. All this data assures us that our virtual model is reliable. We can also adapt the parameter values to best match what we observed during testing," explains the co-founder.

The software developed by EikoSim can analyse objects on a wide range of scales. For example, microscopic images can be used to study materials such as composites and alloys. The company's biggest part is the Dual Launch System (DLS) for the Ariane rocket. This nine-metre-high part in the nose cone helps stack two satellites.

EikoSim offers its software on a subscription basis. Sometimes the company sells it in packages that include the equipment needed to photograph the objects (cameras, lighting). It also supplies software to research laboratories with small annual budgets.
 

Looking towards other markets

While EikoSim initially sold its software to the aeronautics industry, "Today we have a growing number of defence customers, such as missile manufacturer MBDA and the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)," explains Florent Mathieu. "We are also active in the automotive sector for more targeted applications. In industry, the trend is towards lighter structures, which is not a high-growth area in the automotive sector, where cars are getting heavier." The start-up works with Saint-Gobain, which carries out strength studies on plasterboard for structures and glazing. It also works with Vallourec to analyse screwed joints and ensure that pipelines are leak-free. Lastly, beyond these fields, EikoSim is looking to conquer the world of sports, where weight reduction is also a major issue. "Many manufacturers are experimenting with bicycle weight reduction. More generally, major retailers such as Decathlon test all their equipment: clothing, basketball hoops, etc.," explains the co-founder.