SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS), a research facility operated by the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, has been named as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for May 2007. The Inventor of the Month program (http://www.autodesk.com/inventorofthemonth) recognizes the most innovative design and engineering advancements made by the extensive community of customers using Autodesk Inventor software, which provides manufacturing companies with the power to visualize and simulate the real-world performance of their design without a heavy reliance on costly physical prototypes.

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

One of only 40 synchrotron light laboratories in the world, the LNLS allows a broad range of scientists -- including physicists, chemists, biologists and materials engineers -- to use powerful X-Ray and Ultraviolet beams to gain new insights into the atomic and molecular structure of various materials. This knowledge can be applied to everything from life sciences research and the development of new medicines, to structural studies and semiconductor material analysis.

To better accommodate the diverse groups seeking to leverage synchrotron light technology, the LNLS designs and builds specific equipment for scientific applications. One such piece is the Elliptically Polarizing Undulator (EPU), which gives scientists the freedom to change the light polarization between linear, elliptical and circular, and to widen the radiation peaks in terms of emission energy -- all of which allows users to more fully "see" the different characteristics of materials.

The LNLS relied upon Autodesk Inventor to design the EPU, which featured nearly 15,800 parts divided into 5,560 standardized machinery elements, with 453 non-repeated parts inside the assembly and other repeatable parts.

"Our internal need for designing and producing special parts and equipment in small quantities -- most of the time for one single unit, like the EPU -- benefited greatly from Inventor 3D modeling capabilities," said Milton Cesar Rocha, Mechanical Engineer at LNLS. "Being able to interact with a highly accurate digital prototype of our design concepts greatly reduces assembly errors and other inconsistencies, allowing us to optimize the design and manufacturing process."

With 3D visualization capability, the LNLS was able to confirm that the equipment assembly would be free of interference errors -- before the start of the manufacturing process. As a result, more time and resources could be devoted towards developing innovative functionality that supports scientific research and discovery.

"Autodesk best-in-class software is a perfect fit for an institution like the LNLS, whose research impacts and benefits the entire global community," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions. "By leveraging digital prototyping, LNLS is able to create highly specialized equipment for its facilities, ensuring its standing as a premier research center."

Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than 600,000 users of Autodesk Inventor software, its best-selling 3D mechanical design application. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information on Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.

About LNLS

The Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) is a research center of Science and Technology open to scientists of other Brazilian institutions as well as institutions from other countries. At LNLS, researchers have the necessary structure to perform materials research. It is operated by the Brazilian Association for Synchrotron Light Technology (ABTLuS) under a contract with CNPq, the National Research Council of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MCT).

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, 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 http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Inventor are registered trademarks or 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:  Carly Herrig 312.233.1356      Andrew Favreau 312.297.7587
              carly.herrig@edelman.com       andrew.favreau@edelman.com

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc. 05/29/2007


Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com
(ADSK)


5826 05/29/2007 16:44 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com