Canon has placed an order for a a new supercomputer system from Fujitsu, consisting of a Fujitsu Supercomputer PRIMEHPC FX1000 unit which harnesses technology from the world’s fastest supercomputer Fugaku that was jointly developed with RIKEN.
The new supercomputer will achieve an expected theoretical computational performance of 648.8 teraflops (TFLOPS). Upon completion, the supercomputer will play a key role in contributing to Canon’s initiative of “no-prototype” product development, delivering enhanced capabilities and scope of applicability of analysis in Canon’s product development process. This system is planned to begin operations in the first half of 2021.
Canon is promoting a “no-prototype” initiative in the development of its products, such as office multifunction devices and other various types of printers, cameras, and semiconductor lithography equipment.
To make this initiative a reality, Canon is leveraging 3D CAD data in analytical simulations to evaluate multiple facets of proposed products, including functionality, as well as ease of manufacturing.
Previously, Canon has relied on both a Fujitsu Supercomputer PRIMEHPC FX10 system and a Fujitsu Supercomputer PRIMEHPC FX100 system. Now, to take its initiative to the next level, Canon has adopted Fujitsu’s PRIMEHPC FX1000 system, which promises reliable, high performance computing power, and world-leading energy efficiency.
Fujitsu’s new system consists of a PRIMEHPC FX1000 with 192 nodes, with an expected theoretical computational performance of 648.8 TFLOPS. Fujitsu will also deploy Fujitsu Server PRIMERGY systems and Fujitsu Storage ETERNUS systems as peripheral devices.
As an important part of Canon’s product development cycle, this system will enable larger scale analyses and simulations in impact analysis experiments evaluating damage to or deformation of a potential product when dropped, including simulations with over 100 million elements, a challenge for previous systems to handle.
The new system will also support airflow analysis and electromagnetic wave analysis. These benefits will ultimately help to deliver an enhanced product development flow through Canon’s “no-prototype” initiative.
