Press Release
PSA Peugeot-Citroen Automobiles Chooses MSC.ADAMS/Engine Powered by FEV As Standard Simulation Tool Through a 350,000 Euro Contract
SANTA ANA, Calif. - June 18, 2003 - MSC.Software Corp. (NYSE: MNS), the leading global provider of virtual product development (VPD) products including simulation software, services and systems, today announced that Europe's second largest car maker, PSA Peugeot-Citroen Automobiles, purchased a 350,000 Euro contract for MSC.Software's MSC.ADAMS/Engine software and technical support to optimize the design of their timing belts.
"In today's competitive automotive industry, the major OEMs are working hard to meet and exceed customer demand for automotive engine reliability," said Frank Perna, chairman and chief executive officer of MSC.Software. "The best way for automotive companies to develop new engines, decrease their costs and increase their profit margins is to decrease costly physical testing and increase the use of simulation technology. This presents an opportunity for MSC.Software to increase revenue and we are working hard to sell our software, services and systems to the car manufacturers and suppliers around the world."
"In order to extend the use and the reliability of simulation tools in PSA process development, our strategy is based on the switch from non-evolutive in-house tools to market open architecture software. Nevertheless, it is important to retain our knowledge through tool customization adapted to all design department needs. These aims are today reached through joint development with software companies like MSC.Software, to have and benefit from standard numerical tools adapted to PSA's needs," said Mr. Pierre Borrel, head of the Technical and Scientific Department.
The timing belt module of MSC.ADAMS/Engine powered by FEV allows PSA to simulate the dynamic behavior of the belt system in great detail for durability and NVH assessment. In addition to the location of the pulleys and the properties of the timing belt, the user has to specify the tooth profile according to ISO standards, such that it is possible, for example, to determine the loads on the individual tooth of the belt and the tension of the belt for example. Additionally the tool also provides information regarding belt span vibrations, which is required for the engineers to find the best layout of the tensioning device in order to minimize noise and to extend the lifespan or maintenance interval of the timing belt. The model could also be driven based on input from measurement or in the future by combining the belt subsystem with the cranktrain and other subsystems to the functional digital engine within the framework of MSC.ADAMS/Engine.
Based on a strong involvement of MSC.ADAMS in the chassis development process, PSA Automobiles has chosen MSC.ADAMS/Engine powered by FEV because of its open architecture, which allows the engineers at PSA to incorporate their expertise gained over many decades of engine design and manufacturing into the software. PSA will benefit from this effort by improving the timing belt design process through quality and time reduction.
Another benefit of MSC.ADAMS is its leading multi-body dynamics solver technology, enabling robust and fast calculation. The partnership between MSC.Software and FEV, a leading engine engineering company, represents a strong combination in the field of engine CAE and was another important factor in PSA's decision. The increasing number of MSC.Software solutions embedded in or interfaced with Dassault Systems CATIA is also of strategic importance to PSA Automobiles.
About MSC.ADAMS/Engine powered by FEV:
In partnership with FEV and an international consortium of leading engine manufacturers, MSC.Software has created a suite of software tools to deliver our vision of the Functional Digital Engine. Providing a standardized set of simulation tools and methods based on the MSC.ADAMS dynamic simulation foundation, MSC.ADAMS/Engine powered by FEV allows all engineering departments - design, testing, and research and development - to share engine models and data, while capturing engine design expertise in a template-based software environment.
MSC.ADAMS/Engine provides you with functionality to create a comprehensive engine virtual prototype. The software incorporates a template-builder that enables experienced users to build their own design templates from libraries of core and engine-specific modeling elements such as belts, bearings, cams, gas forces, push rods, and valve springs. Users simply enter the required data into the templates, and MSC.ADAMS/Engine automatically constructs subsystem models and full-engine systems. This ensures modeling consistency throughout the engine simulation process and speeds the design process.
For more information on MSC.ADAMS and other MSC.Software products, please visit http://www.mscsoftware.com/products/.
About PSA Peugeot Citroen Automobiles
PSA Peugeot Citroen ranks among the world's leading automotive groups. A business with significant technological, industrial, financial and commercial presence, the Group draws its strength from its two volume brands, Peugeot and Citroen, from the skills of its 198,600 employees around the world, and from a stable shareholder base.
In 2002, PSA Peugeot Citroen continued to grow, consolidating its place as Europe's No.2 car manufacturer. The Group met all the targets set at the beginning of 2002 to report net income of 1.7 billion Euro and a net sales of 54.5 billion Euro.
PSA Peugeot Citroen will continue its strategy of internal growth in 2003. It will launch attractive Peugeot and Citroen vehicles with different personalities that draw upon the Group's innovative capacity and bring customers attractive, high-performance cars that respect the environment.
About MSC.Software Corporation
MSC.Software (NYSE: MNS) is the leading global provider of virtual product development (VPD) products including simulation software, 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 1500 people in 23 countries. For additional information about MSC.Software's products and services, please visit www.mscsoftware.com.
| Contact: Joanne Keates Vice President, Investor Relations MSC.Software 714.444.8551 joanne.keates@mscsoftware.com |
Contact: Catherine Meek Media Relations MSC.Software 714.445.5647 catherine.meek@mscsoftware.com |
