Collins & Aikman Unveils COMET 5.0 At SAE Expo; Major New Release Planned for Acoustics Prediction Modeling Software
TROY, Mich.--May 1, 2001--Collins & Aikman Corporation today unveiled COMET(R) 5.0, the latest version of the Company's comprehensive acoustic predictive modeling software, at the 2001 Society of Automotive Engineers' Noise & Vibration Conference & Exposition in Traverse City, Michigan. With COMET 5.0, Collins & Aikman augments its capabilities for delivering acoustic solutions to its customers by reducing predictive cycle times and the potential to significantly lower vehicle development costs. The new version of COMET is slated to be commercially released in Summer 2001.COMET is a computational simulation tool for vibration-related acoustic prediction, intuitive design modification and optimization, providing comprehensive noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) solutions for the automotive, aerospace, naval and consumer product industries. COMET utilizes both direct and indirect boundary element methods as well as finite element methods to accurately predict the propagation, radiation and scattering of acoustic waves from fluid, foam, structures/solids and their interaction with surrounding components. Collins & Aikman's COMET program also is enhanced by a team of expert software engineers dedicated to providing superior levels of customer service and support.
Commenting on the launch of the upgraded program, Dr. Ravi Raveendra, Collins & Aikman's Director, COMET Software & Global Acoustic CAE Technology, noted, "We are extremely pleased with the performance benefits designed into COMET 5.0. In today's highly competitive environment, Collins & Aikman is moving ahead of the curve with innovative products such as COMET 5.0 which we believe will further enable global automotive manufacturers to develop industry-leading `quiet vehicles.' Perhaps even more importantly, COMET 5.0 will help automotive manufacturers by enabling the rapid development of acoustically tuned interiors for vehicles equipped with advanced telematic devices."
Customers who purchase COMET 5.0 acoustic software can reduce development time for creating acoustically optimized products by using the latest acoustic modeling techniques, thereby eliminating some of the need for costly prototypes and lengthy conventional product testing.
Innovations and enhancements included in the new Version 5.0 of COMET are:
| -- | Source Reconstruction Technology (SoRT) - A new module for coherent and incoherent noise source identification in 3D structures that was developed in-part with funding from the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA); |
| -- | Structural Acoustic Foam Engineering (SAFE) - This module has been completely re-designed. COMET now has enhanced capabilities for modeling elastic porous (foam), fluid and structural domains and their interactions in complex 2D, Axi-symmetric and 3D objects; |
| -- | Boundary Elements Method (BEM) based solutions for transient and eigenfrequency analyses; and |
| -- | Infinite elements for exterior solutions based on Finite Element Method (FEM). |
Complete details about COMET Acoustics, including ordering information, can be found on Collins & Aikman's web site at the link: http://www.collinsaikman.com/prod/acoustics/sw.html.
Collins & Aikman Corporation, with annual sales approaching $2 billion, is the global leader in automotive floor and acoustic systems and is a leading supplier of automotive fabric, interior trim and convertible top systems. The Company's operations span the globe through 72 facilities, 13 countries and nearly 15,000 employees who are committed to achieving total excellence. Collins & Aikman's high-quality products combine industry-leading design and styling capabilities, superior manufacturing capabilities and the industry's most effective NVH "quiet" technologies. Information about Collins & Aikman is available on the Internet at www.collinsaikman.com.