MAFI Group
MAFI Group partnered with Calcs.com to build ESICS, a bracket checker used by telecom engineers worldwide to verify mounting capacity for 5G and telecom installations.
“They've delivered a beautifully presented suite of tools that gives us a huge advantage when it comes to the level of service we offer with our products.”
About MAFI Group
MAFI Group is a globally recognized company specializing in designing, developing, and manufacturing mounting solutions for the telecom industry. With a strong focus on providing reliable and efficient solutions, MAFI Group has established itself as a trusted partner within the telecommunications sector, supporting major operators such as Vodafone, as well as telecom equipment manufacturers like Ericsson, Huawei, and Nokia.
MAFI mounting solutions are utilized in thousands of projects across the globe and play a critical role in the worldwide rollout of 5G technology.
The challenge
MAFI brackets have load capacities that are determined through rigorous calculation and physical testing. These capacities account for various factors such as weight on the offset pole, rotational slip resistance, and horizontal bending.
To help customers choose a solution that works for their specific needs, MAFI developed ESICS - Enhanced Site Innovation Calculation System - to reduce the challenge and complexity involved in the calculation.
ESICS, commonly referred to as "The Bracket Checker" by MAFI customers, was the brainchild of Nigel Topp, who developed a comprehensive design spreadsheet to aid in this endeavour.
He envisioned a tool that would make it easier for MAFI clients to identify the most efficient and cost-effective mounting solutions for their projects. However, a constantly evolving spreadsheet isn't really suited to being an up-to-date tool for hundreds of clients.
In looking for a development partner, Nigel had two specific requirements: he wanted structural engineers, not just coders, and preferably a young, small, dynamic company whose ethos would fit with MAFI's agile outlook. He found Calcs.com.
The ESICS platform
The ESICS platform's bracket checker allows users to design MAFI brackets for their systems with ease. With this calculator, users can compute loads applied to the bracket and ensure that they do not exceed the allowable capacities.
The calculator is compatible with multiple European countries including England, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, Norway, Denmark, and Kenya. It adheres to the Eurocode standards along with the relevant national annexes.
User-friendly interface with integrated products database
The platform's interface allows easy access to an extensive database of equipment, pole sizes, and MAFI mounting solutions, making it seamless for users to select and check the bracket capacities based on their project specifications.
Built-in complex analysis for wind force calculations
ESICS calculates the wind forces on the entire bracket system by verifying hundreds of parameters, including the influence of shoreline, topographic features, and terrain category in all directions, considering the equipment orientation.
The calculator displays a simple color-coded utilization check to determine if the number of brackets used is enough for the proposed design.
Tooltips and embedded guides
The platform is enhanced with tooltips and embedded guides that help users navigate and use the calculator, ensuring that even those unfamiliar with structural engineering concepts can use it confidently.
Industry recognition
The ESICS tool has received recognition from RWDI, a world-leading wind engineering and specialist environmental consultancy firm, which praised its ease of use, speed, and accuracy in calculating Eurocode wind loads. RWDI has since incorporated ESICS into their own code-based assessments.
John Kilpatric, Practice Area Leader of Wind Loading at RWDI, said: "We were pleased by how easy and intuitive it was to use the tool. Furthermore, we were impressed by how quickly the tool allowed an accurate and comprehensive calculation of the Eurocode wind loads to be undertaken. Following our review of the ESICS wind loading calculator, we have started to use it internally, as a trusted tool, for our own code-based assessments."
Conclusion
The partnership between MAFI and Calcs.com demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to addressing the unique challenges of the telecom industry.
As Nigel Topp, creator of the ESICS suite, put it:
"They've delivered a beautifully presented suite of tools that gives us a huge advantage when it comes to the level of service we offer with our products. Customers have access to instant verification of their choice of structural support, with highly detailed calculation output. Calcs.com has proved to be a superb partner, with deep knowledge of structural engineering and is a delight to work with."
Nigel Topp, MAFI Group
For manufacturers selling engineered products, the implication is clear: adoption isn't just about performance or education. It's about removing friction from design decisions and meeting engineers where their work really happens.
Reach engineers at the moment they specify
Partner with Calcs.com to put your technical data in front of engineers when they're making design decisions - not after.