SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan 27, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has named Valiant Corporation -- a global provider of manufacturing solutions -- as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for January 2011. The award recognizes Valiant's innovative use of Autodesk Digital Prototyping software in designing the largest and most challenging manufacturing equipment for customers in sectors ranging from automotive to aerospace.

On a recent project for The Boeing Company, Valiant used Autodesk Inventor software and Autodesk Algor Simulation software to more efficiently design and engineer a portable cargo loader. The complex design called for eight telescopic hydraulic cylinders, each capable of lifting 90,000 pounds. With help from Inventor, Valiant was able to design and package telescopic cylinders in three sections instead of the usual four, increasing load capacity while reducing cost. Additionally, the advanced finite element analysis (FEA) functionality in Algor Simulation helped enable Valiant to minimize the weight of the design while meeting customer performance requirements.

"With Inventor software, we're able to be much more competitive," said Marty Solcz, chief operating officer of Valiant. "Our engineers can spend 80 percent of their mental energy innovating and 20 percent deciding how to draw lines. Inventor software frees us up to think about the next big idea. With the added talents of our people, that creates outstanding possibilities and potential."

Digital Prototyping Across Multiple Industries

Valiant uses the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping in all areas of its business. The company's automotive division, for example, frequently designs automated assembly systems for automotive body and power-train manufacturing, among other tasks, with up to 200,000 parts, and as many as 8,000 unique parts.

Using the advanced dynamic simulation functionality in Autodesk Inventor software, Valiant's engineers can perform on-the-fly validation to check for possible interference between thousands of different parts throughout the range of operation. In addition, the iAssemblies and iParts functionality in Inventor software has enabled Valiant to develop a library of models, promoting reuse while reducing the time required creating new line layouts. Working in conjunction with Autodesk Gold Partner, SolidCAD, Valiant estimates that giving its global workers -- who often work in parallel on the same project -- access to Inventor software results in efficiency improvements of up to 30 percent.

The benefits of Autodesk software also extend beyond design and engineering phases: Valiant can take a model developed in Inventor software and photorealistically render it with Autodesk 3ds Max software, creating a stunning visual for marketing materials, proposals and even maintenance manuals.

"Autodesk software is providing competitive value to Valiant and its customers at every stage of the product lifecycle -- from design and engineering, to marketing and promotion, to post-sales service," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk.

About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program

Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to 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 SolidCAD

Headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, SolidCAD is an Autodesk Gold Partner offering proven and measurable technical capabilities for the manufacturing and architecture, engineering and construction industries. SolidCAD has earned honors from Autodesk several times over the last five years for its expertise with respect to Autodesk solutions for manufacturing and building sectors.

About Valiant Corporation

Spanning three continents, Valiant Corporation is a global supplier of automated production systems for the automotive, aerospace, defense, heavy equipment, alternative energy and consumer product sectors. For additional information, visit www.valiantcorp.com.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries - including the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects - use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

An interview with Valiant is available on the Autodesk YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/Autodesk_Valiant_IOM.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Algor, Autodesk Inventor, Inventor and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2011 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.

Autodesk, Inc.
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