COSMOS software helps Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute design instrument arrays that withstand crushing ocean depths
California
CONCORD, Mass., August 1, 2005 - COSMOS design analysis software is helping the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) ensure top performance and durability from marine research instruments that have to withstand ocean depths of up to 13,000 feet (4,000 meters), SolidWorks announced today.
Established by Hewlett-Packard co-founder David Packard, MBARI conducts advanced research in the deep waters of California 's Monterey Bay . The institute's core engineering group works with researchers to design instruments and remote controlled submersible exploration vehicles using COSMOSWorks design analysis software and SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software. Engineers design the equipment in SolidWorks, then use COSMOSWorks to determine whether it will withstand water pressure and function as intended. COSMOSWorks enables engineers to apply various loads on designs to simulate their behavior as physical objects, which significantly reduces the number of expensive prototypes needed to detect and repair mistakes. COSMOSWorks' fluid dynamics analysis features enable MBARI's engineers to determine how the heat that the electronics generate will affect the design.
?It really saves us time to be able to iterate an instrument case design rather than prototyping and testing physically,? said Mark Brown, the institute's mechanical manufacturing and fabrication supervisor. ?We get much more of a design right the first time using COSMOSWorks than we did before. Rebuilding an instrument case can take up to three weeks, so we gain back a lot of time by doing as few prototypes as possible.?
Brown's manufacturing and fabrication group works in conjunction with core engineering to design and produce an average of 50 new instruments a year, plus modifying and maintaining existing equipment. Designing products for undersea exploration means constantly balancing strength and weight to create products that stand up to extreme conditions using as little material as possible. One of the submersibles the group maintains is a remotely operated vehicle rated for 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) with an instrument package that has to withstand 6,000 pounds per square inch (414 bar) of pressure. COSMOSWorks enables MBARI's engineers to finely calculate the amount of material needed to produce a sturdy enclosure within the submersible's weight limits.
?Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute's experience shows COSMOSWorks at its best, saving time and money that once went into building prototypes and putting it into value-producing work like designing new and improved products,? said Suchit Jain , SolidWorks vice president of analysis products. ?The key part of this scenario is COSMOSWorks' accuracy. If MBARI's engineers couldn't trust the results it delivers, they'd end up building as many prototypes as they did before they started using it. But they can trust the results, and they're putting the gains to great use.?
The institute works with SolidWorks reseller Hawk Ridge Systems for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.
About Hawk Ridge Systems
Hawk Ridge Systems is a complete 3D engineering solution provider, offering mechanical design automation software and support services to companies throughout the Western U.S. By providing the largest and most knowledgeable support team in the country for SolidWorks, we help our customers successfully compete while shortening product development cycle times.With nine offices, Hawk Ridge Systems is the largest SolidWorks reseller in the U.S. All locations offer top tier technical support, training, and professional services. For more information please visit www.hawkridgesys.com.
About Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is a private, non-profit research center funded by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The institute employs approximately 200 scientists, engineers, and operations and administrative staff. MBARI scientists propose and execute studies, both experimental and theoretical, in the ocean sciences. Engineers and operations staff, in partnership with the scientists, develop or adapt supporting technology. For more information visit www.mbari.org.
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