Autodesk 2010 shows power of digital prototyping

Robert ‘Buzz’ Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk, reckons it’s about putting the power of 2D and 3D software within the reach of mainstream manufacturers and enabling them to compete on a global scale. “With our 2010 product line, customers can achieve greater collaboration than ever before between industrial design, engineering, manufacturing and marketing teams that are all responsible for bringing quality products to market,” says Kross. In particular, he emphasises the value of Autodesk’s digital prototyping software, which “gives manufacturers the ability to digitally design, visualise and simulate how a product will work under real-world conditions, before it is built”. Digital prototyping reduces reliance on physical prototypes, which also helps cut cost and accelerate time to market, and Autodesk Inventor 2010 is the foundation, says Kross – helping to produce an accurate 3D model that validates the form, fit and function of a design. Key new features include: plastic part design and tooling, performance simulation and improved usability and productivity. Looking at performance simulation, for example, the new software provides improved support for motion simulation and static and modal finite element analysis at both the part and assembly levels. And Kurt Bender, CAD manager at Viking Yacht Company, which produces luxury yachts, agrees: “[It] allows us to design and manufacture at the speed of thought. Using Inventor to simulate real-world conditions means we don’t need full-scale physical prototypes. We’re also doing design reviews and marketing with digital prototyping, saving substantial time and money on each boat design.” Product availability details and purchasing options are due out on 24 March 2009.