Autodesk Names Dynamic Structures as Inventor of the Month for March 2009
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The world's largest
telescope is under development, and when complete in 2018, astronomers will
have the clearest and most far-reaching views of the universe yet.
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The telescope will be housed in an astronomical observatory created by
Dynamic Structures, one of the world's premier providers of complex movable
structures. For its innovative design, British Columbia-based Dynamic
Structures has been named as the Autodesk (Nasdaq: ADSK) Inventor of the Month
for March 2009.
Dynamic Structures is using Autodesk Inventor software--the foundation of
the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping--to accelerate design of the
Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), the ground-based astronomical observatory that
will house the 14-story, 2,000-pound telescope. The core technology of TMT
will be a 492-segment, 30-meter diameter primary mirror capable of providing
up to 10 times the magnification power of existing ground-based telescopes.
The Inventor of the Month program recognizes the most innovative design
and engineering advancements made by the extensive community using Autodesk
Inventor software. A digital prototype is a realistic 3D digital simulation of
the entire end product, used to virtually optimize and validate a product
before it is built, reducing the need for physical prototypes.
"With Digital Prototyping, we don't have to worry about spending thousands
of dollars on physical prototypes only to find out that a part doesn't work
the way we thought it would," said Craig Breckenridge, drawing office manager
at Dynamic Structures. "I'm not sure how we'd even begin to tackle a project
of this size without Inventor--the resources required would just be
overwhelming."
"March Inventor of the Month, Dynamic Structures, is at the forefront of
astronomy's next-generation observatory," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior
vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "We are impressed at
how Dynamic Structures has used Inventor to quite literally 'think big' and
bring a visionary idea to life."
Making Massive Projects Manageable
The world's largest existing telescope is only 10 meters in diameter,
making the TMT much larger and more ambitious than anything ever constructed
before. The TMT enclosure itself weighs around 2,000 tons. Together, the
telescope and structure will have nearly 200,000 parts.
Using Inventor software--in combination with collaboration from Autodesk
reseller and training partner, IMAGINiT Technologies--has helped Dynamic
Structures validate design functionality and catch errors before anything is
built. It has also reduced the time required to create and revise part and
assembly drawings by more than 20 percent, helping the TMT project to stay on
schedule.
About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than
800,000 users of Autodesk Inventor software, the foundation for Digital
Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking
innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact
us at IOM@autodesk.com.
About Dynamic Structures
Since its founding in 1926, Dynamic Structures has evolved into one of the
largest designers and manufacturers of dynamic, complex structures in British
Columbia, Canada. In 2007, the company was purchased by Empire Industries
Ltd., one of the fastest growing steel fabrication and installation companies
in Western Canada. For additional information about Dynamic Structures, visit
www.empireds.com.
About IMAGINiT Technologies
IMAGINiT Technologies, a RAND Worldwide Company, is a leading provider of
design and engineering solutions to the building, manufacturing and
infrastructure, media and entertainment industries. With over 40 offices in
North America and Asia-Pacific, IMAGINiT is a leading provider of Autodesk
software solutions and the largest North American Autodesk Authorized Training
Center (ATC) partner. IMAGINiT delivers knowledge, expertise and design
processes to clients through proven technical support, training and consulting
services. For more information please visit www.rand.com/imaginit.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets.
Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the
broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help
customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies
rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world
performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance
quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk,
visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or
affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product
names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the
right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without
notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may
appear in this document.
(C) 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Contact: Clay Helm 415.547.2425 Alyson Moses 312.297.7430
Email: clay.helm@autodesk.com alyson.moses@edelman.com
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
NOTE TO EDITORS: An interview with Dynamic Structures is available on the
Autodesk YouTube Channel at http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7jlIehuvRVc./
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