Henrik Alfredsson, Managing Director of Volupe Technology
PRESSRELEASE 20241001
Bringing Democracy to Engineering with Volupe Technology.
Henrik Alfredsson is taking the lead at Volupe’s newly established subsidiary, Volupe Technology, where he aims to revolutionize the engineering world by democratizing simulation workflows. With over 15 years of experience in the energy sector, spanning fluid mechanics, CFD, and technology development, Henrik brings a wealth of knowledge to this new venture. In this interview, Henrik shares insights into his career journey, the mission of Volupe Technology, and what the future holds.
"We are here to challenge the status quo and make engineering accessible to all."
Can you tell us a little about your background and how your career has led you to this point?
I have spent the last 15 years in and around the energy sector, working in areas relating to fluid mechanics, CFD, and technology development. Over the past 5 years, I had the great pleasure of building the CFD Centre of Excellence at Aker Solutions as the Managing Director of Aker Solutions AB. During my career, I’ve witnessed the evolution of CAE in the engineering ecosystem. What once was seen as a necessary '2-dimensional evil' has transformed into a vital engineering tool embedded in every phase of a project. Back then, we tested almost everything to ensure functionality, but many times it didn’t work as expected. Testing could be nerve-wracking, and the results were often miles away from what the simulations had predicted.
There’s a saying that stuck with me early on: 'No one believes the simulation except the guy who did it – and everyone believes the test except the guy who did it!' Today, with the advancements in CFD and CAE, we can cut out much of the testing phase because our engineering tools have become more reliable than the tests themselves. The accuracy of simulations and the revolution in the software’s capabilities have truly transformed the industry. This journey was powered by the turnkey tools in the Simcenter portfolio, and together with brilliant minds, we’ve saved the industry billions and enabled large energy projects worldwide. It’s been an incredible ride!
'No one believes the simulation except the guy who did it”
What drew you to take on the challenge of leading Volupe Technology?
Democracy! The simulation workflow today is much faster than it was 10 years ago. The tedious tasks that meant CFD engineers spent 90% of their time not solving the actual engineering problem are long gone. Now, we are ready to democratize the engineering workflow, enabling engineers of all kinds to tackle common challenges using simple, accuracy-proven Volupe Apps built on the excellent tools in the Simcenter portfolio.
"Now, we are ready to democratize the engineering workflow,"
What market needs or gaps did you identify that led to the creation of Volupe Technology?
Across many industry segments, there’s a perception of immense product or simulation complexity. This fear often drives market consolidation and reduces competition due to the high entry requirements, such as expensive test facilities and qualification programs. Volupe Technology aims to challenge this by developing Volupe Apps that empower engineers to design qualified products with accuracy in a user-friendly environment.
“Volupe Technology aims to challenge this by developing Volupe Apps that empower engineers..”
What industries or sectors will benefit the most from the solutions provided by Volupe Technology?
How long is a string? Honestly, we won’t limit ourselves to any specific industry. That said, we have already identified exciting opportunities in the construction and energy sectors, with more ideas on the horizon.
What are the primary benefits that customers can expect from working with Volupe Technology?
By democratizing the engineering workflow with specific products and applications in Volupe Apps, we will dramatically cut development costs and shorten the lead time from the first idea to the final product. This will improve the bottom line for our customers and enhance their competitiveness. We’ll help turn 'That can’t be done' and 'That’s too risky' into 'This is how it’s done!'
“We will collaborate seamlessly to develop ideas into tangible engineering apps ready for our customers.”
How will Volupe Technology integrate with Volupe’s existing business and expertise?
Volupe Technology will work alongside Volupe as an addition to the existing organization. We will collaborate seamlessly to develop ideas into tangible engineering apps ready for our customers. The innovation and expertise of the Volupe team within the Simcenter portfolio are key enablers for Volupe Technology’s success.
Are there any upcoming product launches or developments we can look forward to in the near future?
Indeed, but let’s not spoil the suspense! Stay tuned over the next few months as we prepare to launch our first disruptive Volupe App.
