Transvalor of France and NW Numerics (North West Numerics and Modeling) of the USA have joined forces to develop the Z-set software suite, the benchmark technology for industrial modeling.
Transvalor, leader in forming simulation and structural analysis of materials, becomes the owner of this pioneering technology alongside Armines and Onera. Until then, the company had been their distributor. From now on, the French publisher is not only the exclusive worldwide distributor, but also co-owner of the Z-set code.
Developed in the mid-1980s, the Z-set software suite is a set of numerical tools dedicated to the mechanics of materials and the calculation of structures with non-linear behavior.
Co-developed by Onera, the Centre des matériaux (Mines ParisTech) and NW Numerics, this calculation code has been distributed exclusively by Transvalor since 1999.
For those in the know, Z-set integrates various complementary modules, such as a finite element solver, a material behavior law library and an optimizer for determining parameters from test data. In addition, numerous recent developments have been made in the fields of fracture mechanics and high-performance, multimodal computing.
Back in France, the land of our birth
Our core business," explains Nikolay Osipov, head of Transvalor's Z-set team, "is to use scientific code to build a 3D modeling, simulation and analysis system for the mechanics of materials and structures. This enables our industrial customers to dimension their most critical parts.
Among other things, we are working on interfaces that facilitate the integration of our software into today's increasingly complex industrial multiphysics calculation chains. In this way, the scientific code line becomes industrial software and a commercial success.
Through our developments, we contribute to the safety of nuclear power plants, the weight reduction of cars, the energy efficiency of aircraft engines...".
Today, Z-set software is used in industrial processes all over the world. In fact, Transvalor's customers include leading companies from North America to Japan, and throughout continental Europe.
Transvalor becomes co-owner of Z-set
In 2015, ownership of the code was split between its European (Armines and Onera) and American (Ronald Foerch, founder of NorthWest Numerics and Modeling - NWNM) authors.
NWNM then developed its own version of Z-set. Since then, NWNM and Transvalor have been distributing the code worldwide in their respective territories.
"We jointly recognized the need for consolidation, says Stéphane Heitz, Managing Director of Transvalor. It was obvious that bringing our strengths together would be beneficial in serving our customers in the best possible way, with the best solution resulting from the fusion of our respective developments.
Against this backdrop, NWNM and Transvalor have come together to transfer Z-set's proprietary rights. In doing so, Transvalor becomes not only the exclusive worldwide distributor, but also the owner of the Z-set code base along with its French partners Armines and Onera.
As a result, the technology has returned to the French scientific community where it was born some forty years ago, while a strong partnership has been established with NWNM to best serve Transvalor's future American customers.
"This reappropriation of the code will enable us to help our customers and partners to optimize their industrial processes more efficiently, with a view to energy transition and sobriety, considers Stéphane Heitz. Our ambition is to be able to offer them a complete solution, from the simulation of the raw materials they use to develop their materials of the future, to the resistance of manufactured products to the most critical conditions". The acquisition of the American version of Z-set and its merger with the French version are a key element in Transvalor's development, and fully in line with the French company's strategic plan, which already boasts double-digit growth.
Key figures
- Sales 2021: 10.3 million euros (+18% vs. 2020)
- Z-set sales growth in 2021: +90%
- Z-set is present in 16 countries
- 38 years in business and international influence