SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The world's largest telescope is under development, and when complete in 2018, astronomers will have the clearest and most far-reaching views of the universe yet.
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The telescope will be housed in an astronomical observatory created by Dynamic Structures, one of the world's premier providers of complex movable structures. For its innovative design, British Columbia-based Dynamic Structures has been named as the Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) Inventor of the Month for March 2009.
Dynamic Structures is using Autodesk Inventor software--the foundation of the Autodesk solution for Digital Prototyping--to accelerate design of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT), the ground-based astronomical observatory that will house the 14-story, 2,000-pound telescope. The core technology of TMT will be a 492-segment, 30-meter diameter primary mirror capable of providing up to 10 times the magnification power of existing ground-based telescopes.
The Inventor of the Month program recognizes the most innovative design and engineering advancements made by the extensive community using Autodesk Inventor software. A digital prototype is a realistic 3D digital simulation of the entire end product, used to virtually optimize and validate a product before it is built, reducing the need for physical prototypes.
"With Digital Prototyping, we don't have to worry about spending thousands of dollars on physical prototypes only to find out that a part doesn't work the way we thought it would," said Craig Breckenridge, drawing office manager at Dynamic Structures. "I'm not sure how we'd even begin to tackle a project of this size without Inventor--the resources required would just be overwhelming."
"March Inventor of the Month, Dynamic Structures, is at the forefront of astronomy's next-generation observatory," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "We are impressed at how Dynamic Structures has used Inventor to quite literally 'think big' and bring a visionary idea to life."
Making Massive Projects Manageable
The world's largest existing telescope is only 10 meters in diameter, making the TMT much larger and more ambitious than anything ever constructed before. The TMT enclosure itself weighs around 2,000 tons. Together, the telescope and structure will have nearly 200,000 parts.
Using Inventor software--in combination with collaboration from Autodesk reseller and training partner, IMAGINiT Technologies--has helped Dynamic Structures validate design functionality and catch errors before anything is built. It has also reduced the time required to create and revise part and assembly drawings by more than 20 percent, helping the TMT project to stay on schedule.
About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program
Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than 800,000 users of Autodesk Inventor software, the foundation for Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact us at Email Contact.
About Dynamic Structures
Since its founding in 1926, Dynamic Structures has evolved into one of the largest designers and manufacturers of dynamic, complex structures in British Columbia, Canada. In 2007, the company was purchased by Empire Industries Ltd., one of the fastest growing steel fabrication and installation companies in Western Canada. For additional information about Dynamic Structures, visit www.empireds.com.
About IMAGINiT Technologies
IMAGINiT Technologies, a RAND Worldwide Company, is a leading provider of design and engineering solutions to the building, manufacturing and infrastructure, media and entertainment industries. With over 40 offices in North America and Asia-Pacific, IMAGINiT is a leading provider of Autodesk software solutions and the largest North American Autodesk Authorized Training Center (ATC) partner. IMAGINiT delivers knowledge, expertise and design processes to clients through proven technical support, training and consulting services. For more information please visit www.rand.com/imaginit.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. 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. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
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