An early banner from RomaxDesigner
1990 – 1993 Fortran, Green Screens and Standards
Romax started using the Fortran programming language which we used to create successful programs which implemented standards, such as journal bearing design and bearing selection. The most famous incarnation was created when the USA’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) chose Romax to create a suite of programs for sale under their own name.
1992 RomaxDynamics, the First Analysis Program based on OOP
When object-oriented programming (OOP) was in its infancy, Romax Technology saw the potential of applying it to large, complex engineering design and analysis solutions. In collaboration with Bath University, Romax began work on the first investigations into Object Oriented Engineering Design which would attempt to find ways to apply OOP methods into engineering.
In 1992, we released RomaxDynamics, what we believe to be the first commercial engineering analysis program based on OOP.
1994 -1995 – The Genesis of ‘RomaxDesigner’
Once Microsoft created Windows NT 3.1 we finally saw a platform upon which we could build. As keen as we were to move onto this platform we had yet to find a means to achieve our goal cost-effectively and quickly. After extensive research in the conventional choice of C++, software developers at Romax were convinced by the merits of Smalltalk, an OO language still used by many investment banks across the world today.
This language proved advantageous with its ability to create software quickly, yet it was flexible enough to grow and mould as the requirements changed. With the software & hardware technology ready, we were able to fulfil the engineer’s need for fast design and analysis which we named RomaxDesigner.
The working concept came from within Romax, and following a relatively short gestation of one year, RomaxDesigner emerged out into the real world. It was here that the most important changes occurred in collaboration with our customers.
During this early collaboration it was common for new features to be suggested in the morning followed by emailed samples of the new feature in the afternoon. This was the responsiveness to the customer that was to characterise the new generation of Romax software which would follow.
In 1995, when a large off-road vehicle manufacturer looked to upgrade the gearbox for one of their most popular vehicles, Romax was able to provide a design & analysis critique of the gearbox. In partnership with the Design Unit at Newcastle University, we were able to make key recommendations on the gears, bearing and shaft design. As part of the analysis, it was necessary to add spigot bearing analysis to RomaxDesigner, a key feature for gearboxes of this class. Our customer would also provide a proving ground for the then new advanced bearing modules, their feedback allowed us to make significant improvements to the design of key bearings.
The Build Up of RomaxDesigner – a flexible tool for companies of all sizes
In 1996 we started a long partnership with a multinational US automotive component manufacturer; many of their needs in manual gearbox design were met by RomaxDesigner over a period of 6 years, including the development of new modules such as the interface to the popular Ohio State LDP (Load Distribution Program).
This was to characterise the build up of RomaxDesigner’s capabilities until it became the accepted standard in gearbox analysis.
We also work with a medium sized UK gearbox manufacturer for the motorsports industry. RomaxDesigner has been used there continuously since 1996, helping them design robust transmissions in short timescales.
An Award Winning Full Suite
From the year 2000, one of the most significant capabilities for which we received an honourable mention in the Automotive News PACE Awards, was the ability to model NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) in an innovative and robust model. It was also coupled by the ability to incorporate FE elements for gearbox housings within RomaxDesigner.
This set of capabilities, named RomaxNVH, enabled our customers to analyse and quantitatively predict gearbox dynamic behaviour. RomaxNVH was first in the world for accurately predicting gear whine vibrations in planetary automatic gearboxes and enabling upfront design optimisation for NVH, without the requirement for hardware testing.
Combining these tools with our unique planetary transmission error capabilities yielded a product which was truly innovative and has led to a step-change in what is possible with virtual product design within NVH.
Accurate prediction, the speed at which the analyses can be carried out, and the fully integrated software environment are key benefits as they contribute to an overall reduction in process time. The RomaxNVH software offered customers a tool which was not available anywhere else.
It was previously impossible to predict the noise levels from planetary automatic gearboxes due to the complexity of predicting the planetary transmission error, but due to our innovation, we made it not only possible but commercially available.
Awards
In 1998 we were privileged to receive a DTI SMART Award for gear shaving technology; in 2004 we received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, and were very pleased to retain the prize in 2009.
A New Beginning
Romax are Rotating MAchinery eXperts – we have been able to apply our expertise and software across industry. We have rapidly found success in the Wind Energy industry, designing China’s first 3MW turbine gearbox in collaboration with DHI.DCW, assisted Samsung with the drivetrain design for their first wind turbine and worked with some of the largest wind turbine manufacturers across the world.
To assist in our success a custom version of RomaxDesigner has been created called RomaxWIND. Our software is so advanced that it is outgrowing the mantle of “software”, so much so that we now call it our “Virtual Product Development and Simulation Suite” as Dr Poon states:
We don’t like to call RomaxWIND “software” as we believe that this term doesn’t represent the true quality and value of the product. RomaxWIND is a high-end computer aided engineering package that revolutionises the process of component design and increases our understanding of system behaviour.
Dr SY Poon, Romax Technology CEO & Founder
A screenshot from RomaxDesigner