New Mechanical Dynamics Product Integrates ADAMS(R) Mechanical System Simulation Software with CATIA Computer-Aided Design Software
17 February 1998
New Mechanical Dynamics Product Integrates ADAMS(R) Mechanical System Simulation Software with CATIA Computer-Aided Design Software
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 17 -- Mechanical Dynamics, Inc.
, a worldwide supplier of software and services to the virtual
prototyping market, today announced the release of CAT/ADAMS, a new product
designed to facilitate the exchange of data between its ADAMS mechanical
system simulation software and the CATIA computer-aided design, manufacturing,
and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) software from Dassault Systemes
of France.
The new product, developed within the CAA Partnership Program of Dassault
Systemes, integrates ADAMS, the world's most widely used mechanical system
simulation software, within the CATIA Application Architecture (CAA).
Engineering teams use ADAMS to produce virtual prototypes, realistically
simulating on their computers the full-motion behavior of complex mechanical
systems. CATIA enables users to perform a wide range of design, engineering,
and manufacturing tasks, including 3D parametric solids modeling, feature-
based design, and drafting.
With CAT/ADAMS, users can transfer CATIA Kinematics models and geometry as
well as product data from the CATIA system to ADAMS. They can then perform
motion simulations to evaluate the dynamic performance of the complete
product, and transfer the results back to CATIA for collision detection and
clearance studies.
Mechanical Dynamics worked with a consortium of major automotive
manufacturers -- BMW, Chrysler, and Peugeot -- to develop CAT/ADAMS. The
three companies, whose design and engineering teams use the two software
packages extensively, contributed to the funding of the integration software's
development and assisted in defining technical specifications.
Robert R. Ryan, president and chief operating officer of Mechanical
Dynamics, said, "CAT/ADAMS is the result of a unique consortium combining
customer knowledge of the CAD process using CATIA and Mechanical Dynamics'
acknowledged expertise in motion simulation technology. We believe this
product will help engineering teams increase their productivity through
improved communication and will result in higher-quality product designs."
According to Gerard Lecina, director of the Analysis and Simulation
Division at Dassault Systemes, the CATIA-ADAMS integration is part of Dassault
Systemes' continuing strategy of helping users streamline the product
development process. "Many engineering groups at the major automotive
companies worldwide use both packages," says Lecina. "CAT/ADAMS will enable
these engineers to design parts and complex kinematic assemblies in CATIA and
analyze their dynamic behavior in ADAMS much faster."
Ryan noted that the addition of CAT/ADAMS to Mechanical Dynamics' product
line broadens the company's market coverage. Users can now obtain ADAMS
virtual prototyping capabilities embedded within all of the major Unix-based
mechanical design automation environments as well as the leading PC-based CAD
packages.
About CATIA
CATIA-CADAM Solutions Version 4 provides unique solutions for integrated
product and processes development and teamwork optimization. They include an
evolutionary architecture that enables customer growth and leading-edge
applications for task and process optimization.
CATIA and CADAM are developed by Dassault Systemes and marketed and
supported worldwide by IBM. These solutions are leaders in the CAD/CAM/CAE
and product data management (PDM) marketplace, with more than 9,000 customers
globally.
About Mechanical Dynamics
Mechanical Dynamics pioneered the field of mechanical system simulation,
and has remained focused on this technology since its founding in 1977. The
company's ADAMS virtual prototyping products are used by thousands of
engineering teams from nearly every manufacturing industry. Using ADAMS can
help manufacturers reduce the number of costly physical prototypes, improve
design quality, and significantly shorten product development cycles.
Within the automotive industry, ADAMS has become the de facto standard for
mechanical system simulation, and is used by every major automobile
manufacturer in North America, Europe, and Asia, as well as many leading
automotive suppliers and tire manufacturers.
Additional information about Mechanical Dynamics can be obtained by
writing to the company at 2301 Commonwealth Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan
48105. Phone: 734-994-3800. Fax: 734-994-6418. E-mail: info@adams.com.
World Wide Web: http://www.adams.com.
ADAMS and the Mechanical Dynamics logo are registered trademarks of
Mechanical Dynamics, Inc. CATIA and CADAM are registered trademarks of
Dassault Systemes S.A. All other company, brand, or product names are or may
be trademarks of their respective holders.
SOURCE Mechanical Dynamics, Inc.