From 'Deep Flight' to Farm Equipment, 3D Mechanical Design Software Helps Today's Inventors Turn Their Ideas Into Reality

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At the onset of National Inventors' Month, Autodesk (Nasdaq: ADSK) salutes the innovators of yesterday, and those of today who are using the latest in 3D technology to realize their ideas, inventing everything from personal underwater craft that "fly" through the deep ocean to the latest agricultural equipment.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO )

National Inventors' Month was founded in 1998 by Inventors' Digest magazine, the United Inventors Association and the Academy of Applied Science, which offers free materials to libraries and schools that are designed to encourage kids and adults to be creative and inventive.

More than a century ago, Thomas Edison was limited to pencil and paper when it came to putting the ideas for his inventions down in a form that his workers and business partners could see. The real advantage today's inventors have over Edison is the computer technology they can use to create, manage and share their ideas with their colleagues.

"The diversity of innovation coming from today's inventors is no less astonishing in our time than Edison's was in his," said Robert Kross, vice president of Manufacturing Solutions Division, Autodesk, Inc. "As modern inventors rapidly create things that impact so many aspects of the world, it's fitting to pay tribute to them and their predecessors during Inventors' Month."

Autodesk Inventor Provides a Vital Tool for Creative Minds

Autodesk is proud of the many inventors using Autodesk Inventor software, the world's best selling 3D mechanical design software. Among them are:

Richard Unverferth, Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.

The year was 1948 and the place was a shed in Kalida, Ohio. Visionary Richard Unverferth and his father began a business of making farm equipment called "shucker control levers" for Massey-Harris combines. Today, the family-owned business is led by Steve Unverferth, and innovation remains a priority as the company branches into motorized vehicles for the first time. Using Autodesk Inventor, Unverferth Manufacturing is making the quantum leap to building its first motorized vehicles, a line of skid loaders. Mechanically, the skid loaders must be designed carefully to avoid interference of among parts as they articulate. The engineers can simulate and analyze the parts in motion, checking for problems, fixing interference and animating the model to ensure it is ready for manufacturing.

Graham Hawkes, Hawkes Ocean Technologies

The earth's oceans are vast, unexplored territories -- which is part of what makes them so alluring to inventor Graham Hawkes, the president of Hawkes Ocean Technologies. "The oceans are endlessly richer in life forms and mysteries of life than space, yet we've barely scratched the surface," said Hawkes. "Autodesk Inventor makes it possible for inventors like me to explore new territories in engineering and innovation that once existed only in my dreams." Hawkes' revolutionary development of Deep Flight winged submersibles -- small, lightweight craft that operate without a dedicated mother ship -- provide safe, economical access to the deep. Autodesk Inventor played a key role in the development of the Deep Flight winged submersibles, allowing Hawkes and his small team of engineers to create and test hundreds of concepts before cutting metal to generate an actual prototype. Now ocean enthusiasts and explorers have much greater access to the huge expanse of our planet that lies under deep water.

Charles Bliss, Volunteer Engineer, Hiller Aviation Education Foundation

Charles Bliss is a lead engineer on a project charged with reverse engineering and modeling the historic XH44 (eXperimental Hiller 1944) helicopter, which was on loan to the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos, California. Although Hiller Aviation wanted a permanent replica of the pioneering helicopter at the Hiller Aviation Museum, the plans no longer existed. With only archived photos and limited access to the historical helicopter, the project was extremely challenging. Using Autodesk Inventor software, the team was able to quickly model concepts and develop what if scenarios. In the process they learned many secrets of the helicopter's construction and control that had been long since lost to the ages. The replica XH44 helicopter is now under construction.

During National Inventors' Month, and throughout the year, Autodesk is proud to deliver technology that enables customers like Richard Unverferth, Charlie Bliss and Graham Hawkes to invent and innovate the world around us.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With six million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage, and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency, and maximizing profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

NOTE: Autodesk and Autodesk Inventor are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT:

Jeannie Hornung
1-415-318-4118
hornungj@fleishman.com


Autodesk, Inc.

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