ARKTOS Developments Ltd. Relies on Autodesk Software to Evaluate How
Amphibious Craft Will Perform in Extreme Environments
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2012--
ARKTOS Developments Ltd. (ADL) —the designer and manufacturer of a
remarkable amphibious vehicle known as the ARKTOS Craft—is using simulation
software from Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) to prepare its products to operate in some of
the world’s most environmentally demanding locations.
“Using Autodesk Simulation software helped ARKTOS to accurately predict
product performance on a nearly limitless vehicle,” said Robert
“Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at
Autodesk. “The extreme environments our customers are successfully
analyzing are a testament to how accurately Autodesk Simulation
technology can simulate real world performance.”
Originally designed as an amphibious evacuation craft for Arctic
offshore oil facilities, the ARKTOS Craft can move from frigid -50°C
(-122°F) temperatures, through burning flames, and back again, as in the
case of evacuating a burning oil rig. Additionally, the ARKTOS Craft can
easily navigate ice-rubble fields, ice ridges and open water—and can
even climb up or down vertical steps—making the ARKTOS Craft a highly
capable exploration craft for a variety of extreme climates.
Valmont West Coast Engineering (Valmont), which provides finite element
analysis (FEA) services to ADL, was responsible for predicting vehicle
performance in these severe environments: “We used Autodesk Simulation
technology to predict critical stresses for the ARKTOS at extreme
temperatures and loading conditions,” said Ioan Giosan, Ph.D., P.Eng at
Valmont. “After finding an optimal design using FEA methods, we relied
on physical testing and field use to validate the accuracy of our
results.”
Digitally Optimizing Performance
The key to the ARKTOS Craft’s mobility is an articulated arm between the
vessel’s two main compartments. As the Craft climbs up onto an ice shelf
from the water, the hydraulics in that arm help push the front unit of
the Craft up out of the water so that the special track spikes can grab
the ice.
Using the multiphysics capabilities of Autodesk
Simulation, Valmont was able to show ADL engineers how thermal
stress caused by temperature extremes would combine with mechanical
stress within the articulated arm between the units. Additionally, since
the arm would see repeated compressive and tensile loading, Valmont also
analyzed fatigue life using the Autodesk Simulation multiphysics tools.
“We continue to modify the original ARKTOS Craft design for each of our
new customer’s unique needs,” said Bruce Seligman, president at ADL.
“Autodesk software makes it easy for us to design new attachments for
the craft, and then simulate how those modifications will affect
performance. Sharing early concepts and engineering analysis results
with stakeholders digitally is a critical part of our development
workflow today and is all powered by Autodesk software.”
ARKTOS Craft units are currently operating in Alaska, China, and the
Caspian Sea in Kazakhstan.
About ARKTOS Developments Ltd.
Headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, ARKTOS Developments Ltd. is
the manufacturing body for the high mobility amphibious Craft known by
the registered trademark of ARKTOS. For additional information, visit www.arktoscraft.com.
About Valmont West Coast Engineering
Valmont West Coast Engineering provides Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
and other engineering services. In business since 1977, Valmont West
Coast Engineering designs, engineers, and manufacturers applications for
energy transmission, support structures, telecommunication towers,
lighting and a variety of specialty projects. For additional
information, visit www.valmont.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 16 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.
Autodesk and AutoCAD 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.
© 2012 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, Inc.
Stacy Doyle, 503-707-3861
stacy.doyle@autodesk.com