The document discusses the benefits of high-performance computing (HPC) in manufacturing, emphasizing faster time to market and improved product efficiency through advanced simulations. It highlights how HPC can be accessed more affordably than perceived, with reduced complexity and enhanced support from specialists like OCF. Additionally, it mentions funding opportunities for businesses looking to adopt HPC and digital transformation in their operations.

1. PERFORMANCE FOR MANUFACTURING
EVENT BRIEFING:
ICEOTOPE, OCF & The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) define the
performance required for a manufacturing environment and potential challenges to overcome in
order to enable a faster time-to-market.
28th JUNE 2017

2. HPC: It's more accessible
than you think!
Andrew Dean
HPC Business Development Manager

3. What do all of these products have in common?

4. And much more… even my snowboarding helmet was designed with the help of simulation
And HPC is a tool to enable you to do more of it.
They were all designed with the help of simulation!

5. What is High Performance Computing (HPC)
“High Performance Computing most generally refers to the practice of
aggregating computing power in a way that delivers much higher
performance than one could get out of a typical desktop computer or
workstation in order to solve large problems in science, engineering, or
business.”
https://insidehpc.com/hpc-basic-training/what-is-hpc/

6. Consolidation of Processing Power
• Solve larger problems
• Get results quicker
• Solve multiple problems at the same time
(And last but not least move compute noise/heat from under your desk)
How can HPC benefit your organisation?

7. Giving you…
• Better efficiency
• Which results in..
– Better products!
• Better design
• Use less materials
• Stronger
• More efficient
• More reliable
• Etc. etc. etc..
• An example of one of our customers is now being able to model the whole
product, not just one ‘process’

8. Examples… HPC vs Workstation

9. And how is this achieved?
Scheduling! (and a bit of networking) – AKA Workload Management
• Queuing
• Prioritisation
• Intelligent use of resources
• 24x7x365 Operation
No more “I started a job before I came to this Meeting, it’s now
either finished or crashed and sitting idle”

10. Most people’s view of HPC is this...

11. Large, expensive, proprietary,
supercomputers

12. When in fact modern day HPC has
more common with…
Mid 90’s ‘Beowulf’ cluster for NASA based on ‘commodity’
workstations

13. Although we’ve tidied it up quite a bit!!
Still using ‘commodity’
processors/memory etc. but
in a more compact efficient
platform.
Power of 8x Workstations but
with the ability to get much
higher utilisation than 8x
separate systems.

14. You could ‘Roll your own’
Lots to think about:
• Software: Which Cluster Managers/Scheduler/Linux
Distro?
• Networking: Gigabit + 10GbE/40GbE/InfiniBand?
• Hardware configurations: memory/scratch
space/which processor/should I use GPU’s?
• Do I need Remote visualisation?
• Etc..
It’s possible but, depending on experience, would most
likely take a significant time from purchase of these
individual components to first simulation.

15. The alternative - you could partner with specialists
• Not everyone is a HPC expert 
• Integrators like OCF can build proven HPC solutions that provide you with
– Faster time to results
– Reduced complexity
– Solution-level support
• Can be built on industry standard hardware, or more innovative systems
like Iceotope to help reduce/remove the need for a data centre to
support this kit.
• This is supported by the integration expertise of OCF

16. • Head Node (with Storage)
• Networking (GigE and InfiniBand)
• Compute Hardware:
A mixture of: (as required)
– CFD optimised Nodes
– Mechanical optimised Nodes
– Mechanical GPU optimised Nodes
– Visualisation optimised Nodes
• Preconfigured & Tested Software Stack:
– Operating System – RedHat Linux
– Cluster Management
OCF front-line support
What does it look like?

17. In Summary
• Entry point into High Performance Computing is less than you think
– If your organisation is using 5-10+ workstations (or an over subscribed workgroup
system) for simulation, HPC should be considered (at the very least to discount it)
• When a HPC system is installed, it’s value is quickly realised
– OCF customer (household name in British engineering) doubled it’s 256 core system
used for ANSYS Fluent to 512 core within 18 months of purchase
• You don’t need to be a Linux/HPC expert
– Companies like OCF exist to support the adoption of HPC, enabling businesses to get
business benefits

18. Would you like to know more?
Andrew Dean
HPC Business Development Manager
adean@ocf.co.uk – 07508 033894
@ocfplc
www.ocf.co.uk
www.ocf.co.uk/blog

19. E M B R A C I N G & F U N D I N G H P C
PETER HOPTON, FOUNDER OF ICEOTOPE

20. NOISE IS WASTE

22. OUR ORIGINAL VISION
• Use HPC and fluid dynamics to develop a
total immersed liquid cooled server system
• To improve energy efficiency and capture
waste heat for reuse potential
• To reduce the barriers to entry for HPC
market

23. BLADE SERVER PLATFORM
• Three stage cooling platform
• Small failure domain in silent operation
APPLICATIONS
• Edge of network
• Micro-modular data centre
• High performance computing (HPC)

24. ARCHITECTURE

25. CURRENT DEPLOYMENTS
ADVANCED
MANUFACTURING
RESEARCH CENTRE (AMRC)
Edge of network deployment on
the factory floor
ROLLS ROYCE
INNOVATION LAB, IISE
DERBY
Portable office HPC for
medical research projects
UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS
Departmental HPC: reusing waste
heat to warm office building

26. GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
• Sheffield City Region has £12,500 grants for
digital transformation
• 50% funding rate
• D2N2 City Region also have £10,000 grants
for innovative green technologies
• 50% funding rate
• Some organisations may sit in both regions
• Ideal time to look at digitally transforming
your business

27. T: +44 (0)114 224 5500, E: info@iceotope.com, E: sales@iceotope.com
AMP Technology Centre, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Brunel Way,
Sheffield S60 5WG, UK