Mark Richey Woodworking Crafts Visually Stunning, Acoustically Sound
Woodwork for New Performing Arts Center Using Autodesk Software
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Aug 31, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Autodesk,
Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has named Mark
Richey Woodworking, a high-end architectural woodworking firm, as
the Autodesk Inventor
of the Month for August for expert use of Autodesk
Inventor software in developing and installing the precision
millwork required for a new performing arts center.
Helzberg Hall is a 1,600-seat music hall that is part of the new
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City, Missouri.
Without Inventor software, fabricating and installing the woodwork in
Helzberg Hall would have taken two to three times longer--and cost three
times as much--according to Greg Porfido, Mark Richey Woodworking chief
operating officer.
When complete, Helzberg Hall will house the Kansas City Symphony and
host other performance groups of all types and genres. Designed by
architect Moshe Safdie, the organically curved, open design of Helzberg
Hall will allow members of the audience to interact with each other
naturally and enjoy virtually perfect sound quality.
To develop the complex woodwork for the 80-foot-tall, domed Helzberg
Hall, Mark Richey Woodworking needed to ensure that each wood part
aligned perfectly with other parts to create smooth, polished surfaces.
Additionally, designers had to meet specific density requirements
dictated by the acoustical design developed by acclaimed acoustician
Yasu Toyota, as finishes, surfaces and geometry play a crucial role in
the acoustic performance of a room.
Digital Prototyping Simplifies Complex Modeling
Training and consulting services from Autodesk Gold Partner M2
Technologies helped Mark Richey Woodworking to successfully incorporate Digital
Prototyping into its processes and tackle the project more
efficiently. The interference-checking capabilities of Inventor software
proved particularly valuable in ensuring all the parts fit together
correctly.
"Creating digital prototypes of the various wooden elements allowed us
to identify and fix problems ahead of time, before we'd cut a single
piece of wood," said Ritch Winokur, engineering manager at Mark Richey
Woodworking. "If there were any interferences between the parts and the
structural elements of the hall--or among the parts themselves--we would
just remodel the part in Inventor software."
Inventor software enabled designers to digitally model the different
curvatures and complex 3D geometry of each wooden part, while Autodesk
Vault Manufacturing software helped them to effectively manage and
keep track of the project's thousands of unique parts. This approach
ensured that each wooden part aligned perfectly with other parts,
letting Mark Richey Woodworking achieve the organic, smooth surfaces
needed for the concert hall.
Inventor software also greatly enhanced coordination among Mark Richey
Woodworking's various partners on the project, such as the metal
fabricator and the general contractor. Using Inventor to check geometry
that the metal subcontractor had supplied for the hall's rail work, for
example, enabled Mark Richey Woodworking to catch a potential error and
resolve the issue virtually, rather than on-site.
"By reducing reliance on physical prototypes, Digital Prototyping saves
companies time and money," said Robert
"Buzz" Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at
Autodesk. "Mark Richey Woodworking's work on the Helzberg Hall project
shows how Digital Prototyping can significantly streamline even the most
complex and demanding assignments."
About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of
Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to
Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and
groundbreaking innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor
of the Month, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.
About Mark Richey Woodworking
Headquartered in Newburyport, Massachusetts, Mark Richey Woodworking
crafts and installs high-end architectural millwork that is among the
finest in the country. For additional information, visit www.markrichey.com.
About M2 Technologies
M2 Technologies, Inc. is a manufacturing technology firm specializing in
the delivery of advanced manufacturing design solutions from Autodesk,
Edgecam and other select providers. The company helps clients design,
build, implement and maintain their design automation solutions. M2 is
an Autodesk Premier Solutions Provider and one of the largest volume
sales organizations in the United States for Autodesk Manufacturing
Solutions. For more information, visitwww.m2t.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D
design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the
manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and
entertainment industries - including the last 15 Academy Award winners
for Best Visual Effects - use Autodesk software to design, visualize,
and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in
1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of
state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information
about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries
and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a
registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their
respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and
services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without
notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors
that may appear in this document.
© 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
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SOURCE: Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk, Inc.
Clay Helm, 415.547.2425
clay.helm@autodesk.com
or
Alyson Moses, 312.297.7430
alyson.moses@edelman.com
