The contract, which was placed through ICEM’s business partner in India, the Bangalore-based CAD/CAM systems consulting and implementation specialists, Pelorus Consulting, calls for the supply and implementation of ICEM Surf, together with ICEM’s Scan Modelling software. This combination of software will provide Hero with fully integrated facilities for efficiently importing and handling dense ordered or random ‘point cloud’ data generated by the automatic laser or photogrammetric 3D scanning of physical objects - and from this data, to then develop the highest quality Class A surface model data required for the manufacturing process. The software will be installed in HDG’s design studio.

“With the recent agreement under which Hero will manufacture and market Aprilia’s range of motor scooters in India, there is a need for us to be able to modify existing designs in order to satisfy the Indian market. We are also involved in designing new models for Aprilia,” said N. K. Vasisht, vice president, Hero Global Design Limited. “We selected ICEM Surf for this task because it is recognised as the leading software for Class A surfaces development and because it will enable us to efficiently communicate and exchange design information with Aprilia in Italy.”

Pankaj Munjal, managing director, Hero Motors Ltd. and Hero Global Design, added, “The ability for us to communicate effectively on design issues will be a key to the success of our joint venture activities with Aprilia. We are confident that ICEM’s software will be a great help to us in this respect in our day-to-day working relationship with Aprilia.”

“This contract marks a significant step forward for ICEM on the Indian sub-continent,” said Lee Cureton, chief executive, ICEM Ltd. “The automotive industry in India is growing and with it, the demand for software like ICEM Surf and ICEM Style. I am confident that, with Pelorus Consulting as our business partner in India, we will see further successes, like the Hero Motors/Aprilia implementation, in the coming year.”

About Hero.
Formed in 1956, the Hero Group today comprises 12 companies, with 300 ancillary suppliers and 4,000 dealer outlets around the world, both in developed and in developing counties. The Group has an annual turnover of Rs 9 billion, 11% of which comes from exports.

The name Hero is synonymous in India with two-wheeled vehicles. The company started out as a bicycle manufacturer. By 1975, it was the largest manufacturer of bicycles in India and in 1986, it entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world.

The company introduced its first powered cycle, the Hero Majestic moped, in 1978. Ten years later, in 1988, the Hero Honda motorcycle became the best selling motorcycle in India. Today Hero Motors offers six lines of two-wheeled motor vehicles, including scooters and large-wheel, step-through motor cycles.

In 2001, Hero Motors pooled its in-house research and development (R&D) resources and formed a design company – Hero Global Design (HGD). With its state-of-the-art R&D facilities, HGD provides fast and effective industrial design solutions to its parent company as well as to other companies. The company already has a step-through bike, an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) and three Hero/Aprilia scooter designs in its portfolio.

In 2003, Hero entered into an agreement with Aprilia of Italy to manufacture and market Aprilia’s range of motor scooters in India. Aprilia later took an equity interest in Hero Motors.