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EAI Releases Toolkit for More Robust Ergonomics Analysis Of Vehicle Interior Designs

16 June 1999

EAI Releases Toolkit for More Robust Ergonomics Analysis Of Vehicle Interior Designs

Jack(R) OPT(TM) Enables Manufacturers to Design Vehicle Interiors for Optimal
                           Comfort and Performance

    AMES, Iowa, June 15 -- Engineering Animation, Inc.
announced today the release of the Jack Occupant Packaging
Toolkit (OPT) to help manufacturers design vehicle interiors for optimal
occupant comfort and performance.  OPT, part of EAI's VisEPM(TM) enterprise
process management solution family, is an add-on to EAI's Jack human modeling
and ergonomics analysis solution.  The toolkit introduces six additional human
factors analysis tools that provide design teams with more advanced
capabilities for designing vehicle interiors.  Leading manufacturers in the
automotive, aerospace and heavy equipment industries are currently using Jack
to design safer, ergonomically-sound products, workplaces and processes more
quickly and for less cost.
    "Jack OPT enables manufacturers to assess the comfort and performance of
vehicle interiors without building costly physical prototypes," said Marty
Vanderploeg, EAI executive vice president and chief technology officer. "This
addition to our Jack human modeling and ergonomics analysis solutions further
extends EAI's ability to help manufacturers reduce development time and costs
and improve the quality of their vehicle design."
    With Jack OPT, design teams can place virtual humans in seated positions
that represent how people really sit in a vehicle.  Jack OPT provides a unique
set of tools for posture prediction, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
vehicle interior placement packaging guidelines, comfort assessment, advanced
reach analysis, and advanced anthropometry definition, as well a specialized
automotive parts library.  Users can scale human models to match different
measurements of real subjects, realistically place the virtual human inside
the vehicle and then assess their comfort level.  Jack OPT also helps users
determine the SAE recommended locations for various driver and vehicle
attributes.
    EAI's human simulation solutions enable users to insert human models in
digital environments.  Users can then interactively evaluate the ergonomics of
designs to improve product performance or workplace tasks.  In addition to
EAI's human modeling and ergonomics analysis solutions, VisEPM links users to
enterprise product information and provides a platform for applications such
as digital prototyping, factory design, flow and analysis solutions,
dimensional and quality management solutions, and other value-added solutions
developed by EAI, its customers and its partners.

    About EAI
    EAI is the leading producer of enterprise-wide visual process management,
collaboration, analysis and communication solutions.  EAI's solutions improve
business practices and communication, resulting in improved efficiency,
quality and time-to-market. By leveraging digital assets early in the process,
companies are more closely linked across organizational boundaries and with
their suppliers and partners. EAI maintains its corporate headquarters and
technology center in Ames, Iowa, and has offices worldwide.
    For more information, visit EAI at http://www.eai.com or call
515-296-9908.