SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2002-- Exceptional Large-Assembly Performance Delivers Dramatic Time Savings; Leading Manufacturer Competes in New Market

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that the Research and Engineering Department of Hardinge Inc., a leading worldwide machine tool manufacturer, has upgraded to the Autodesk Inventor Series from Autodesk Mechanical Desktop and AutoCAD software. Hardinge designs top-quality metal-cutting lathes, machining centers, and related tooling and accessories of the highest precision with the superior technology of Autodesk Inventor 3D mechanical design software, the cornerstone of the Autodesk Inventor Series. Using Autodesk Inventor, Hardinge was able to save 40 percent in comparable design time over Autodesk Mechanical Desktop for its new ELITE 8/51 CNC lathe. The ELITE 8/51 was designed to help Hardinge compete in the machine tools markets where Japanese and German competitors are taking a larger share, particularly in the 8-inch chuck market. Hardinge (www.hardinge.com) will debut the new lathe tool at EASTEC 2002, May 21-23, in West Springfield, Mass.

"While we saw a 40 percent increase in designer productivity for the ELITE 8/51, we expect at least an additional 15 percent increase in productivity for all other products designed with Autodesk Inventor. This helps us reduce costs, accelerate time to market, and deliver to customers a price-competitive and error-free product," said Clive Danby, vice president of Research and Engineering at Hardinge Inc. in Elmira, N.Y. "Because of the performance and productivity benefits that Autodesk Inventor brings, we were able to design and manufacture the ELITE 8/51 in record time and compete in a price-sensitive market without compromising high quality."

Benefits of Autodesk Inventor Software

After a benchmark test and acting on the recommendation of MGB Systems, Inc., an Autodesk Systems Center (ASC), Hardinge selected Autodesk Inventor software. Hardinge selected Autodesk Inventor for its many superior 3D design capabilities. Autodesk Inventor software's segmented database provides the large model performance needed to build Hardinge's 5,000-piece assemblies. The assembly-centric environment allows for immediate feedback on form, fit, and function of parts and subassemblies. Adaptivity allows design changes to be incorporated quickly and easily to improve the quality of products without increasing costs and design time. Drive constraints and adaptive layouts improve the understanding of concepts early in the design process.

Autodesk Inventor software memory management and file management capabilities were a primary factor in moving to a 3D environment. Hardinge can now work efficiently with complex designs in the context of the assembly. Animations are also a powerful tool, allowing sales and marketing professionals to demonstrate the technical advantages of their products. Presentation files provide exploded views for assembly drawings and manuals, as well as animations for assembly instructions, field service, and electronic service manuals.

With the Autodesk Inventor Series, Hardinge engineers have the efficacy of three software programs: they can design with the superior 3D technology of Autodesk Inventor software, while using the latest version of Autodesk Mechanical Desktop to export existing design models into the Autodesk Inventor program, and the latest version of AutoCAD to design schematics and controls. Hardinge is looking to extend the use of Autodesk Inventor beyond the Research and Engineering Department to the Manufacturing Engineering Department by using floating licenses. Hardinge is also evaluating the Autodesk Streamline online collaboration service as a complementary solution to communicate AVI-based assembly/disassembly instructions in the field, both to its service engineers and its customers.

"Over the years, Autodesk products have allowed Hardinge to shorten its product development time to market by reducing design errors, enabling design alternatives for manufacturability and assembly, and offering data compatibility with other manufacturing and NC tools," said Robert Kross, vice president of the Manufacturing Division at Autodesk. "In today's challenging global economy, Autodesk Inventor Series is taking these business benefits to the next level by helping companies like Hardinge enter and succeed in new markets."

MGB Systems Supplies Successful Design Solutions

MGB Systems, Inc. (www.mgbsys.com), delivers design-driven manufacturing solutions and support to companies in industries ranging from industrial machinery to aerospace to tool and die. MGB Systems is committed to understanding the technologies available today as they apply to mechanical design and manufacturing processes.

"Our value add is to understand, present, and implement solutions specific to an organization's process," said Greg Baldwin, president and owner of MGB Systems, Inc., in Clifton Springs, N.Y. "We are unique in our determination to partner with our customers for long-term success with solutions that can adapt to their needs."

About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design and digital media creation, management, and distribution company. The company serves a diverse portfolio of markets, including building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering tools that foster innovation and creativity, Autodesk helps customers throughout the value chain leverage digital design data to work better, faster, and smarter. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Streamline, and Mechanical Desktop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the United States and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

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