News: Zygo designs lightweight, durable displays using SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks and Hawk Ridge Systems Services.

Zygo designs lightweight, durable displays using SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks and Hawk Ridge Systems Services.

 

Zygo designs lightweight, durable military pilot training head-mounted displays using SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks

 

3D mechanical design and analysis software dramatically increases productivity and reduces revision for precision optical manufacturer

CONCORD, Mass., April 17, 2006 — Military pilots will soon learn how to fly jets and helicopters safely with a lightweight, yet durable helmet-mounted display designed and tested in SolidWorks® and COSMOSWorks® software. Zygo Corporation significantly improved productivity with SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software, and fine-tuned the device's weight and durability with the COSMOS® design analysis tool to deliver a better performing flight simulation aid than current models in use.

Middlefield, Conn.-based Zygo specializes in developing equipment that tests the curvature, surface texture, and wavelength capabilities of lenses and lens systems used in a variety of applications, including cameras, microscopes, and telescopes. Zygo also manufactures optical products such as lenses, lasers, and space-borne telescopes. The company currently has 48 licenses of SolidWorks and COSMOSWorks to develop better products faster and meet the customization demands of its clients.

Heads-up design and analysis

Zygo faced complex weight and assembly design challenges developing a new flight simulator display that offers better resolution, reduces pilot fatigue, and can fit any pilot's helmet (rather than forcing trainees to use a shared helmet). SolidWorks' ease of use, assembly capabilities, and automated part interference features proved invaluable to the display's design. The software's ability to detect and fix colliding parts also saved a lot of time and downstream errors.

“The optical design is very complex. The display literally wraps around the pilot's helmet,” said Michael Harkins, senior mechanical designer at Zygo's research and development division in Cosa Mesa, Calif. “We simply couldn't have designed it in 2D. SolidWorks and COSMOSWorks have made us more productive and innovative. ”

COSMOSWorks design analysis software allowed Zygo to troubleshoot design errors and reduce prototyping costs. For example, engineers used the software to ensure the tiny rods that support the display had the appropriate stiffness to handle the display's weight, the low profile to minimize visual distractions, and the light weight to reduce pilot fatigue.

“Design and analysis should be a tightly woven process,” said Rainer Gawlick , SolidWorks vice president of worldwide marketing. “Using SolidWorks and COSMOSWorks gives Zygo the tools to quickly and accurately develop lenses, lasers, and other optics with the precise measurements and performance these products demand.”

Zygo works with authorized SolidWorks resellers Hawk Ridge Systems and SolidVision for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

About Zygo Corporation

Zygo Corporation (NASDAQ: ZIGO), headquartered in Middlefield, Conn., is a worldwide supplier of optical metrology instruments, precision optics, and electro-optical design and manufacturing services, serving customers in the semiconductor capital equipment and industrial markets. See Zygo's Web site at www.zygo.com for additional information.

 

About Hawk Ridge Systems

Hawk Ridge Systems is the largest SolidWorks CAD VAR in North America . Founded in 1995 in the San Francisco Bay Area, HRS has nine offices located throughout California, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Hawk Ridge has 20 Certified SolidWorks Engineers on staff and maintains a 2:1 ratio of engineers to salespeople – more than double the industry norm. This heavy investment in customer support, plus an array of industry-leading products including SolidWorks, COSMOSWorks, and PDMWorks® has attracted thousands of West Coast customers in industries ranging from fiber optic networking products, semiconductor equipment, medical devices, consumer products, automotive, and aerospace. For more information visit www.hawkridgesys.com.

 

About SolidVision, Inc.

Founded in 1995, SolidVision, Inc. is one of New England 's leading providers of engineering solutions. SolidVision provides both cutting-edge CAD solutions for SolidWorks and first-rate customer service. SolidVision been recognized by SolidWorks Corporation for having the best customer service in its reseller channel for the past seven years. For more information, visit the company's Web site at (www.solidvision.com).

About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading supplier of 3D CAD technology, providing intuitive, high-performing software that helps product design teams develop great products. For the latest news, information, or an online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (http://www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America , call +1-978-371-5000).

 This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21 E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which reflect the Company's current judgment on certain issues. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially. Important factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially, are described in the Company's reports on Form 10-K and 10-Q on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

SolidWorks and PDMWorks are registered trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation. COSMOS and COSMOSWorks are registered trademarks of Structural Research and Analysis Corp. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2006 SolidWorks Corporation.