About

Aligerator is a project born at the Technical University of Madrid. It took part in the entrepreneurship program ActuaUPM 2014 and it was supported by the Technological Innovation Support Center (CAIT) of Madrid.

Technical University of Madrid

Technological Innovation Support Center (CAIT)

What we do

We help companies design lightweight parts and structures by combining traditional engineering design tools - like Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) - with modern Structural Optimization techniques (such as Topology and Shape Optimization).

We can design lightweight components for automobiles, planes, trains and any other sector that needs lightweight products.

Why is it so important?

There is a strong need for less fuel and energy consumption in the transportation industry. Moreover, emission regulations are becoming increasingly demanding. Our solution to this problem is to help design lighter means of transport. Saving weight on a vehicle lowers fuel consumption and, in consequence, reduces CO₂ and air pollution emissions.

Lightweight facts:

"One kilo less on all aircraft of Lufthansa German Airlines saves 30 tonnes of kerosene per year"
Deutsche Lufthansa AG

"A 10 % weight reduction on a medium-sized gasoline engine car (1.6 L) decreases fuel consumption by 4.1 %"
Ricardo Inc.

"Reducing 30 % the weight of a high-speed train (250 km/h, 530 seats) saves 1260 MWh per year"
KTH Royal Institute of Technology


How we do it

We include Structural Optimization in the mechanical design process in order to find out which areas of a component are not structurally important and therefore can be removed. On the other hand, structurally important areas are located and reinforced if necessary. That way we can design optimized parts that are not only lighter but also very strong.

Mechanical design process using Structural Optimization

You can find more information about our mechanical design process in this post: http://www.aligerator.com/2013_11_01_archive.html

Project presentation

You can see and download a presentation of our project here: 

Presentation (English)
Presentation (Spanish)