Digital prototyping: Autodesk introduces 2010 design and simulation solutions for manufacturers
By Manufacturing Business Technology Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 2/24/2009 8:23:00 AM
|
Autodesk describes the latest release of its lineup of 2D and 3D design software as a complete solution for creating digital prototypes, adding that it will improve collaboration among all the groups within an enterprise that play a part in bringing products to market.
The new product suite—dubbed Autodesk 2010 for Manufacturing—was introduced during a virtual press conference on February 19. If has familiar Autodesk product design applications, including:
• Autodesk Inventor;
• AutoCAD Mechanical;
• AutoCAD Electrical; and
• Autodesk 3ds Max Design.
Autodesk says these solutions—and others in its portfolio—allows manufacturers to digitally design, visualize, and simulate how a product will work under real-world conditions before it’s built. This reduces the need to build physical prototypes, lowering overall product development costs and accelerating time-to-market, according to Autodesk.
“Putting powerful 2D and 3D software within the reach of mainstream manufacturers positions companies of all sizes—not just large enterprises—to compete on a global scale,” says Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior VP of the Manufacturing Industry Group, Autodesk. “With our 2010 product line, customers can achieve greater collaboration than ever before between industrial design, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing teams responsible for bringing quality products to market.”
In the virtual press conference, Autodesk Inventor was singled out as the foundation of the company’s digital prototyping solution. According to Autodesk spokespeople, Autodesk Inventor facilitates creation of accurate 3D models to validate form, fit, and function of product designs in a virtual environment. The company says the 2010 version of the solution brings new usability and productivity enhancements for 2D product documentation and 3D product design—along with extended simulation capabilities and new data management and data exchange functionality.
“The Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping allows us to design and manufacture at the speed of thought,” says Kurt Bender, CAD manager for Viking Yacht Company, which makes high-performance sporting and cruising yachts. “Using Inventor to simulate real-scale physical prototypes, we don’t need full-scale physical prototypes. We’re also doing design reviews and marketing reviews with digital prototyping, saving substantial time and money on each boat design. We’re especially looking forward to the latest simulation capabilities coming in the 2010 release.”
