A supercomputerfor the Leonardo project

A new supercomputer able to perform up to 22 trillion operations per second has just been installed in Moretto's R&D department. The new equipment is part of a development project dubbed "Leonardo", in homage to the great Italian scientist Leonardo da Vinci. The core of the computer comprises 1,088 CPUs and 128 Intel Xeon Sandy Bridge processors. The computer is able to perform discrete-element structural, fluid-dynamic, thermodynamic, and electromagnetic simulations. The Star-CCM-CD-Adapco software was developed in NASA laboratories and is also used in Formula 1 racing in place of wind tunnel tests. The hardware was built by HP.
"This powerful machine will allow us to open the way to new scientific knowledge, providing us with a tool for in-depth analysis of all physical phenomena and unparalleled support in developing specific solutions for our clients," stated CEO Renato Moretto. The project has entailed a significant investment, nearly as much as it would take to build a new 10,000 square metre production facility, but the company considers it money well spent to strengthen its position in the market.