Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA Automation Key to Fairfield University’s New R&D Center

02/28/2008

Digital Manufacturing Technology Part of Factory Automation Projects

Auburn Hills, MI., USA, February 28, 2008 - Dassault Systèmes (DS) (Nasdaq: DASTY; Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that its academic partnership with Fairfield University School of Engineering (Connecticut) has been expanded to include DELMIA Automation, made possible through a grant received from the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT).  Fairfield will implement the software as a key training tool for students at the new Center for Simulation, Modeling, and Analysis in Automation. 

“Our goal is to create a state-of-the-art R&D Center as a resource for other institutions as well as the private sector,” said Paul Botosani, professor, School of Engineering, Fairfield University. “With DELMIA Automation, our students will learn the concepts and techniques of modeling and simulation in the classroom and the laboratory, equipping them with the skills needed by industry for automated manufacturing and production projects.” The University’s goal is to integrate real-world problems into all of the automated manufacturing courses.

DELMIA Automation enables control engineers to digitally define, control, and monitor automated systems entirely in a 3D virtual environment, independent of PLC hardware. This significantly reduces product launch time by identifying control logic errors well before implementation, through evaluation of PLC programs and/or changes on virtual rather than real equipment. This cuts development time, reduces costs in manpower and capital investment, and increases factory productivity. Users of the DELMIA Automation platform have saved two to three man-weeks during startups, seen smoother product accelerations, and improvements in quality and productivity. 

“Fairfield University’s program is extremely progressive,” said Roy Smolky, Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA Worldwide Academic Sales Operations. “DELMIA Automation will provide the students with the ability to test and validate controls in a 3D virtual environment. That means they can debug PLC programs without leaving their classroom and experience the impact of this sophisticated technology on real world factory production.”

Courses in the Automated Manufacturing Program in the School of Engineering will be re-configured to utilize DELMIA Automation. In conjunction with the CCAT, the software is being used in a partnership program with the Connecticut aerospace manufacturing industry to conduct research and development of work cells and factory automation in virtual and real world design.

The DELMIA Academic Partner Program provides career awareness and preparation by offering educational institutions partnerships that include special licensing, discounted purchase arrangements, and sharable resources. DELMIA has over 70 North American academic partners, including Georgia Tech, Oakland University, Fairfield University, Oakland Schools, University of Michigan, Penn State, Purdue, Wayne State, Ohio Northern, Kettering University and the University of Alabama- Huntsville.

About Dassault Systèmes

As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 100,000 customers in 80 countries. A pioneer in the 3D software market since 1981, Dassault Systèmes develops and markets PLM application software and services that support industrial processes and provide a 3D vision of the entire lifecycle of products from conception to maintenance. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing - ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, and 3DVIA for online 3D lifelike experiences.  Dassault Systèmes is listed on the Nasdaq (DASTY) and Euronext Paris (#13065, DSY.PA) stock exchanges. For more information, visit http://www.3ds.com

CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA, SolidWorks and 3D VIA are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries in the US and/or other countries.