Engineering Awards Program Honors Manufacturer of World's Fastest Certified
Piston-Powered Aircraft
SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc.
(Nasdaq: ADSK) today announced that Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing
Corporation, the maker of the world's fastest certified piston-powered
aircraft, was named Autodesk's Inventor of the Month for March 2006. The
program recognizes the most innovative design and engineering advancements
made by the extensive community of customers using Autodesk Inventor software,
the world's best-selling 3D mechanical design software and best choice for
AutoCAD software users.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO )
Based in Bend, Oregon, the Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation is
wholly focused on building a line of personal aircraft that redefine aircraft
performance and pilot expectations. Columbia places a premium on engineering
and design to produce the best looking and best performing general aviation
aircraft in the world. The company's flagship product, the Columbia 400, holds
the title of World's Fastest Certified, Piston-Powered Aircraft. No other
single or twin engine, fixed or retractable gear aircraft can match the
performance.
Working with Autodesk partner IMAGINiT Technologies, a leading provider of
CAD/CAM/CAE solutions to the manufacturing industry, Columbia has used
Autodesk Inventor software across many areas in the company's design
processes. "We take Autodesk Inventor to the limits, and it continues to
deliver," said Kurt Nichols, Engineering Manager at Columbia Aircraft, and
part of the team responsible for developing the company's award winning
planes. "The depth of detail captured in the 3D models makes it much easier
for us to reduce design cycles while raising quality. That helps us deliver on
the types of aviation technology innovations that our customer base has come
to expect from us -- whether it's a new type of fuselage bonding fixture or
improved nose landing gear."
Additionally, Autodesk Inventor's 3D models help ensure that Columbia's
aircraft meet the highest possible safety standards. Columbia is able to test
out its designs under real-world conditions by exporting Autodesk Inventor
models to a finite element analysis program, and based on the results can make
adjustments to the model as needed -- all before an actual physical prototype
is built. It's no wonder that Columbia aircraft are the only modern aircraft
on the market that meet the strict Utility Category certification -- the
highest non-aerobatic FAA certification level.
"Columbia Aircraft demonstrates how the manufacturing industry has
embraced Autodesk Inventor as a way to streamline the design process while
improving the end product," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of
Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions Division. "We are pleased to name them as our
March Inventor of the Month."
To view a Columbia model designed using Autodesk Inventor software, visit:
www.autodesk.com/inventorofthemonth.
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than
500,000 worldwide Autodesk Inventor customers. Winners are chosen for
engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation that changes the way we
live, work, or play. For more information on the Autodesk Inventor of the
Month program, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.
About Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation
Columbia Aircraft manufactures a variety of all-composite aircraft
including the world's fastest certified piston aircraft -- the Columbia 400.
The Columbia 350, 350i, 350SL and 350SLX are normally aspirated, four-place
aircraft with a cruise speed of 191 knots. The Columbia 400, 400i, 400SL and
400SLX are intercooled, twin-turbocharged, four-place aircraft certified to
FL250 with a cruise speed of 235 knots. In addition to providing legendary
performance, both models are renowned for their high level of standard
equipment, quality and safety features, including dual electrical systems,
dual wing spars and Utility Category certification. For more information,
visit: www.flycolumbia.com.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned
into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading
software and services company for the building, manufacturing, infrastructure,
digital media and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help
customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more
effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage by
becoming more productive, streamlining project efficiency and maximizing
profits.
Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For
additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.
NOTE: Autodesk, AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor are registered trademarks
of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names,
product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
Contact: Jeannie Hornung, 415-318-4119
Email: hornungj@fleishman.com
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
CONTACT:
Jeannie Hornung,
+1-415-318-4119,
or hornungj@fleishman.com,
for Autodesk, Inc.
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com
http://www.flycolumbia.com
(ADSK)
