SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct 4, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Valmont Lowers Cost of Energy with Self-erecting Tower and Scale Motorsport Creates 3D Instructional Manuals for Model Car Hobbyists

Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq:ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that Valmont Industries and Scale Motorsport are creating first-of-their-kind products with Autodesk Inventor software.

Valmont created a 3D modeling prototype of a first-ever, 63-meter, self-erecting tower and custom-integrated installation equipment. Scale Motorsport is setting new standards in the model car world with the development of a full-motion, animated, 3D instructional assembly CD. This replaces one-dimensional paper-based instruction booklets that are difficult to understand. Avatech Solutions, an Autodesk channel business partner, helped provide custom solutions to Valmont and Scale Motorsport.

    Valmont Brings Lower Cost Energy to Market

The Valmont (www.valmont.com) tower, designed for assembly one piece at a time, supports wind power generation. It is considered self-erecting because it does not require large cranes for its installation, overcoming one of the most common construction difficulties. Valmont can significantly lower construction costs, resulting in a lower overall cost of energy to its customers for several reasons. First, smaller tower sections greatly reduce freight and shipping costs. In addition, they require smaller, less expensive, and more readily available cranes for installation, which in turn reduces infrastructure costs such as road size and crane pad requirements. The prototype wind structure supports a wind turbine generator with a nameplate capacity of 660kwh -- enough electricity to power an average of 150-200 Nebraska homes.

"Since Autodesk Inventor is the premier solution for 3D design, offers DWG compatibility -- a standard in the wind industry -- and is backed by the trusted Autodesk name, we turned to long-time partner Avatech Solutions to help us standardize and automate our entire internal design system," said Jeff Willis, product manager for Valmont. "With Autodesk Inventor and Avatech's customized approach to our solution, we were able to significantly reduce our overall engineering and testing procedures from months to weeks."

    Avatech Solutions Provides Custom Solutions to Autodesk Customers

Avatech Solutions helped Valmont implement a custom Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD solution, provided training and support, and assisted with the initial prototype design process. Valmont was able to test the prototype using Autodesk Inventor with FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software against real-world conditions, which provided reliable engineering analysis critical to the implementation of its new wind energy product line. By utilizing Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, and Autodesk VIZ software, Valmont has been able to develop a realistic, full-motion, 3D model of its wind tower and turbine lifting system equipment. This model has been used to highlight and demonstrate the features of Valmont's product to its customers such as wind farm developers and major utility companies.

"The Valmont design automation implementation is another example of how Avatech is helping manufacturers win in their markets," said Bill Zavadil, Manufacturing Industry sales director at Avatech Solutions.

    Scale Motorsport Employs Automotive Industry Software for Model
    Cars

Using Autodesk Inventor software, a tool commonly used in the automotive industry, and working with Avatech, Scale Motorsport (www.scalemotorsport.com) developed a sub-assembly prototype of its model cars. This use of Autodesk Inventor is a unique application beyond the software's role as a premier 3D design software solution for manufacturers. Scale Motorsport will ship its first how-to-assemble CD with the popular Porsche/Martini Big Scale Transkit. With 3D animated instructions, users can quickly identify which parts go together, which should save them time and maximize their enjoyment. The CD will also contain extensive research information about each car as well as "Up Close and Mechanical(TM)" photos produced from the Autodesk Inventor software program. Scale Motorsport is using Autodesk Inventor to bring design information outside of the engineering department, straight to the consumer. By giving them more realistic representations of the minuscule car model parts, Scale Motorsport is helping its customers overcome assembly challenges.

Avatech helped Scale Motorsport create AVI files from Autodesk Inventor software to show the engine pieces in 3D and clearly demonstrate how each piece should go together. In order to view the animated instructional booklet, users require only a web browser, they do not need Autodesk Inventor software. Scale Motorsport also offers a new service called "Animated Assemblies" to companies interested in creating similar products.

    About Autodesk

Founded in 1982, Autodesk, Inc., is the world's leading design software and digital content company. Autodesk offers solutions for professionals in building design, geographic information systems, manufacturing, digital media, and wireless data services. By delivering progressive products and services, Autodesk helps customers create, manage, use and maximize the value of their digital data throughout the lifecycle of their projects. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Autodesk Inventor are registered 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.

CONTACT:          Autodesk, Inc. 
                  Cindi Goodsell, 415/507-8452
                  cindi.goodsell@autodesk.com

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