MSC.Software Helps Coltec Inc. Design Engine for Military Aircraft.

Business Editors

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2001

Engineering Design Firm Uses MSC.visualNastran4D, Saving Four

Months of Design Time and Dramatically Reducing Costs

MSC.Software Corp. (NYSE:MNS), the leading global provider of simulation software, services and systems, today announced that engineering design firm Coltec Inc. saved four months of design time and dramatically reduced design and testing costs associated with a new internal combustion engine for military aircraft through use of the MSC.visualNastran4D.

MSC.visualNastran 4D is a Windows(R) based, desktop simulation tool that applies physics-based motion to design models and uses those results to run preliminary stress analysis.

"Manufacturers of complex aerospace engines and systems have very specific simulation needs and MSC.Software has the products to help them solve problems, save time and reduce costs," said Frank Perna, chairman and chief executive officer of MSC.Software. "MSC.Software has a long history of working with defense contractors to create the best aircraft and our work with Coltec is one example of how MSC.Software is working within the military and defense industry."

Based in Columbus, IN, Coltec was attempting to design a small, gun-launchable internal combustion engine military aircraft propulsion. Without the ability to test the design with motion simulation and demonstrate those results to military representatives purchasing the engine design, the project would have been shelved due to both high development costs and a long development cycle.

In order to accurately prove the design and make sure it would stand up to specific stresses, Coltec engineers were able simulate the complex engine dynamics, including interactions with the engine ports, sparkplugs and engine prechamber. This allowed them to create a design that would maximize both engine timing and combustion. The only other way to optimize those parts of the model would have been to build a physical prototype and drill holes in it, which would have taken months of trial-and-error testing.

"We eliminated months of design time and the cost of at least two prototypes by using MSC.visualNastran 4D," said Derreck Keith, technical specialist at Coltec. "Had we not run the simulation, we would have scrapped two or three engine prototypes before discovering the problems."

Coltec was also able to take the graphical data from MSC.visualNastran4D and integrate it into a sales video to show the military buyers. "This was an extremely valuable tool to help us explain the inner workings of a complicated engine design and sell it more effectively," continued Keith.

About MSC.Software Corporation

MSC.Software (NYSE:MNS) is the leading global provider of simulation software, with related services and systems, that helps companies make money, save time and reduce costs associated with designing and testing manufactured products. MSC.Software works with thousands of companies in hundreds of industries to develop better products faster by utilizing information technology, software, services and systems. MSC.Software employs more than 1200 people in 22 countries. For additional information about MSC.Software's products and services, visit www.mscsoftware.com.