ACADEMIA

Autodesk today announced that WaveLoch was named Autodesk's Inventor of the Month for January 2006. This new 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. Tom Lochtefeld, chief executive officer at WaveLoch, is a designer of groundbreaking wave rides and attractions for athletes, water parks, amusement parks, resorts and cruise ships around the world. Lochtefeld's Flow Rider, created using Autodesk Inventor for 3D modeling and design, and Autodesk Inventor Studio for visualization, combines surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding. The rides feature scientifically engineered sluice gates, which generate a thin sheet of water over a stationary, padded wave form. The resulting wave-like shape enables riders to slide down, carve turns and ride up simulated wave surfaces. "Autodesk Inventor software helps us create innovative designs that reduce costs and installation time for our customers," said Lochtefeld. "By being able to view and simulate our designs in a 3D model format before a prototype is built, we can identify improvements in the design and challenges before they arise, and as a consequence influence our production costs effectively. Autodesk software enables us to maintain our creativity and stay within our customers' budgets." Many professional surfers, snowboarders and skateboarders use the WaveLoch attractions as cross-sport training facilities in San Diego, CA, and Durban, South Africa. Soon, Singapore will host the Wave House, a boardsports lifestyle center comprising a restaurant, bar, retail store and athletic club with Flow Riders as the foundation of their business. Additionally, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line recently announced that they will introduce the first shipboard surf park in Spring of 2006. "One of the most critical parts of the design process is the collaboration and communication required between all of the people required to design and realize a concept," said Lochtefeld. "As the prevalent tool of the industry, Autodesk Inventor software enables us to communicate with a diverse group of people during the concept and design process, including dispersed design engineering resources, architects and suppliers. Utilizing visualization capabilities in the Autodesk Inventor Studio software helps us sell our design concepts to our eventual customers." "Waveloch has used an innovative approach to solve a complex engineering challenge -- making a wave that's duplicative of a natural water event," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, vice president of Autodesk Manufacturing Solutions Division. "We're delighted that Autodesk Inventor software is helping the company collaborate more effectively across all of their audiences, all over the world. We are pleased to award them with the Inventor of the Month designation." Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the more than 500,000 worldwide customers of Autodesk Inventor, its best-selling 3D mechanical design software. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information on the Autodesk Inventor of the Month program, contact us at IOM@autodesk.com.