LAS VEGAS, Dec. 2, 2009 —At Autodesk University 2009, Autodesk,
Inc. highlighted a series of innovative real-world applications of
Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Inventor software to inspire its
manufacturing customers with better ways to design and manufacture the
world’s best products for competitive advantage. Autodesk also hos
LAS VEGAS, Dec. 2, 2009 —At Autodesk University 2009, Autodesk, Inc. highlighted a series of innovative real-world applications of Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Inventor software to inspire its manufacturing customers with better ways to design and manufacture the world’s best products for competitive advantage. Autodesk also hosted an extensive virtual event on AU Virtual, enabling customers around the world with limited time and travel budgets to participate.
BattleBots Is Back, Brought to You by Autodesk Inventor
The premier robot combat sport is back in action this December, and key participants including BattleBots co-founder and CEO Trey Roski were at AU 2009. Sponsored by Autodesk Inventor, the popular BattleBots television show will begin airing again on CBS College Sports on December 10 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. BattleBots competitors bring remote-controlled, armored and weapon-clad machines to fight for domination in an elimination tournament until one robot, or “bot,” disables the other.
Student and professional competitors who designed their BattleBot entries in Inventor software were on hand to showcase their work in the AU Manufacturing Lounge at AU. Christian Carlberg, the coach and organizer of the San Luis Obispo CalPoly Team, showed attendees CHUNK, the university’s contender in the College BattleBots competition. Carlberg and the college team used Autodesk Inventor software to quickly and correctly design CHUNK so that no time was lost with redesign or fabrication errors.
Autodesk and Stratasys Unveil World’s First 3-D Print Out of Turbo Prop Plane Engine
Autodesk and Stratasys unveiled the world’s first 3D print of a life-size commuter jet turbo prop engine at AU 2009. The engine, which includes some functional, moving parts such as the propellers, is designed exclusively in Autodesk Inventor software by Nino Caldarola, an aerospace designer and engineer based in Manitoba, Canada, who currently is an application engineer with Autodesk reseller IMAGINiT. The 10 foot by 10 foot engine, comprising nearly 200 ABS plastic parts, was on display in the AU Design Matters pavilion and will permanently reside in the Autodesk Gallery. In a manufacturing industry context, a 3D print of this sophistication could help aerospace engineers validate the digital prototype, conduct analysis and determine how components will fit together.
Manufacturing Industry Keynote Features X PRIZE Foundation Founder
On Wednesday, December 2, users heard about the latest Autodesk Digital Prototyping technology from Robert “Buzz” Kross, Autodesk senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group, in the annual industry keynote. This year’s featured guest speaker was Dr. Peter H. Diamandis, founder, CEO and chairman of X PRIZE Foundation, a pioneer and leader in the commercial space arena that awarded the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE for private spaceflight.
Digital Prototyping YouTube Contest
Throughout the week in the AU Manufacturing Lounge, customers had an opportunity to sit with product evangelists and share their best tips and tricks for Digital Prototyping with Autodesk design and engineering software. Autodesk is also encouraged customers to record their favorite best practices on video for uploading onto the Autodesk Manufacturing YouTube Channel. The top 10 videos that received the most views by the end of AU were awarded prizes.
Autodesk Gives First Manufacturing Community Award
Autodesk has created the annual Manufacturing Community Achievement award to recognize individuals for their contributions to the Autodesk Manufacturing user community. Contributions can include innovative designs or use of software, leadership in discussion groups or user groups, and long-term participation at AU as an attendee or instructor. The 2009 award recognized Charlie Bliss for his lifetime of achievement. Bliss has been using Inventor since the software’s first alpha release, and his involvement and passion for Inventor software has been going strong ever since. Bliss’ contributions to the Inventor community have been significant, both in terms of quantity and breadth. For example, his website cbliss.com became a hub of the early Inventor community where users could find and donate Inventor part models, shaders and textures. A CAD services manager with Applied Materials for nearly 19 years, Charlie Bliss is currently consulting with green start-up companies on their design and CAD technology needs.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are built. Fortune 100 companies as well as the last 14 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects use Autodesk software tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and money, enhance quality, and foster innovation for competitive advantage. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.