Mechanical Dynamics and FEV Join Forces to Provide New Virtual Prototyping Solutions for Powertrain Design and Development
13 July 2000
Mechanical Dynamics and FEV Join Forces to Provide New Virtual Prototyping Solutions for Powertrain Design and Development
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Mechanical Dynamics, Inc., a worldwide provider of
software and services for the virtual prototyping market, today announced the
formation of a strategic partnership with FEV, an internationally recognized
leader in engine design and development, to develop a new breed of simulation
tools for engine-specific applications.
Mechanical Dynamics' ADAMS(R) software is the world's most widely used
mechanical system simulation tool, and is the de facto standard for virtual
prototyping in the automotive industry. FEV, headquartered in Aachen,
Germany, offers a complete range of engineering services in the design and
development of advanced gasoline, diesel, and alternative-fuel engines.
"By partnering with FEV, we've taken a significant step toward building on
our expertise in vehicle dynamics and suspension design and extending it into
the powertrain area," said Robert R. Ryan, president and chief operating
officer of Mechanical Dynamics. "The combination of our core competencies --
Mechanical Dynamic's knowledge of commercial software development and FEV's
engine design and development experience -- will allow us to offer our
customers powerful new simulation tools and top-notch service and support."
"Working with Mechanical Dynamics to develop engine-specific software
modules is a logical step for FEV," said Prof. Franz Pischinger, president and
chief executive officer of FEV. "We've established a reputation as a leader
in engineering services for powertrain applications, but have relied on
internal software programs to conduct our work. Partnering with Mechanical
Dynamics gives us access to ADAMS and allows us to implement our know-how in
conjunction with this well-known software tool."
Mechanical Dynamics first released ADAMS(R)/Engine, a specialized
simulation environment that enables an engineering team to predict, refine,
and optimize the performance of powertrain systems as part of an overall
vehicle design, in August 1999. The product provides specialized utilities
for valve train and timing chain simulation. Future modules to be developed
through the Mechanical Dynamics/FEV partnership will focus on engine
cranktrain, piston and block interaction, and auxiliary drive mechanisms. The
new version of ADAMS/Engine will be marketed as "ADAMS/Engine, powered by
FEV."
FEV will provide expertise on engine performance modeling and access to
important engine performance data. Mechanical Dynamics will combine this with
their expertise in developing and supporting commercial simulation software
solutions to deliver customer-focused powertrain simulation products to the
market.
"We believe that mainstream computer-aided engineering is now moving
rapidly toward system-level virtual prototyping, and software such as ADAMS
will be the product of choice for simulation-driven design and development,"
said Bruce Jenkins, vice president of Cambridge, Mass.-based Daratech, a
leading CAD/CAM/CAE market research company which tracks mechanical design
automation trends.
FEV, founded in 1978, provides global support to the transportation
industry in the design, prototyping, and development of engines, full engine
integration and in-vehicle calibration services as well as test and
instrumentation systems. The company's main facilities are in Aachen, Germany
and Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Additional information about FEV can be obtained though the FEV Web site
at http://www.fev.com . Literature is available upon written request to FEV (North
America) at 4554 Glenmeade Lane, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326-1766. Phone:
248-373-6000. Fax: 248-373-8084. E-mail: marketing@fev-et.com . In Europe
and Asia, FEV can be contacted at Neuenhofstrasse 181, 52078 Aachen, Germany.
Phone: +49-0241-5689-0. Fax: +49-0241-5689-119. E-mail: marketing@fev.de
Mechanical Dynamics pioneered the field of mechanical system simulation
with its market-leading ADAMS(R) software, and remains committed to extending
the capabilities of this technology to benefit manufacturers in every industry
worldwide. Engineering teams use ADAMS to build and test functional virtual
prototypes of their complex mechanical system designs. Mechanical Dynamics
also offers extensive implementation services, including consulting and
training. In this way, the company partners with its customers to help reduce
the time, costs, and risks of the product development process and meet the
"Smarter to Market(TM)" challenge.