Mecon Ltd was founded in 1991 to produce numerical modelling software based on the object-oriented approach. After successfully producing a fast boundary-element modelling package, Mecon extended its activities to include contract research and development.
Mecon’s founder, Dr Martin Thompson, came from a numerical modelling and dynamical testing background, working at British Gas’ prestigious Engineering Research Station before moving on to work at Schlumberger Cambridge Research. It was after five years’ experience in Cambridge that he founded Mecon.
Mecon’s activities were extended to cover contract R&D after Dr Mark Harper joined as Technical Director in 1995. Dr Harper came from a background of experience with Topexpress Limited, the well-known Cambridge applied science consultancy with strong connections to the University’s Engineering Department, and SAIC Inc, the US-based international consultants.
Since 1995, Mecon has worked mainly for the oil and gas industries on a wide range of problems to do with sensing, inspection, and software for checking structural design safety. Other important clients have been the UK-based water utility companies, European wind turbine manufacturers and the UK Health and Safety Executive.
Mecon has received the following DTI awards:
- Stage 1 (SMART) award 1991 to research high-efficiency software for boundary
element modelling (BEM) of diffusion processes.
- Stage 2 (SPUR) award 1992 to commercialise the software.
R&D (SMART) award 1996 to develop a multi-degree-of-freedom vibration damper
- Development (SMART) award 2001 to develop a pre-production prototype of the
Magic Carpet (now in production as a result).
