SolidWorks Helps to Provide Super Human Strength for BLEEX Exoskeleton

Innovators create lighter, sleeker, more agile mechanical legs to make 70-pound packs feel feather light

CONCORD, Massachusetts, December 9, 2004 - Schilling Robotics, LLC, is using SolidWorks 3D mechanical design software to design critical parts of an “exoskeleton” that will someday help soldiers, firefighters, rescue workers, and others carry back-breaking burdens without feeling the weight.

The Davis, California-based manufacturer, widely known for its remotely operated deep-sea work vehicles and manipulator arms, is designing the hip/thigh/knee assembly for the second-generation Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX). Schilling is collaborating closely on the design with the team of Dr. Homayoon Kazerooni, director of UC Berkeley’s Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory.

The BLEEX consists of a backpack-like frame and mechanical braces connected to the user’s feet, legs, and hips. Human users wearing the BLEEX can carry a 70-pound backpack yet feel as though they are carrying five pounds.

Schilling faced three major challenges when it began designing the new joint assembly: reducing weight, enclosing electronics and hydraulics, and expanding its range of motion to support the way a human actually moves. “SolidWorks was a tremendous help on all three counts,” said CEO and co-founder Tyler Schilling. “Its 3D capabilities vividly simulated the assembly’s new rotary actuation, and revealed new ways to efficiently enclose the wires and tubes.

SolidWorks’ interface automatically updated us on the assembly’s mass through dozens of iterations, which was critical in reducing weight. SolidWorks’ COSMOSXpress design analysis tool checked the strength of any component with a single mouse click, saving us the trouble of getting out our calculators and ‘Roark’s Formulas for Stress and Strain.’ SolidWorks synthesizes all of the information for you and, like the BLEEX, takes care of the legwork.”

Schillings’ innovative hip/thigh/knee assembly will be used in the second-generation BLEEX coming out in early 2005. The second-generation BLEEX will be lighter weight, “field ready,” and more agile. Thanks in large part to Schilling Robotics and SolidWorks software, users of the new BLEEX will be able to accomplish a full squat and bounce back up to a standing position.

Schilling Robotics first began evolving from AutoCAD to SolidWorks software when the company’s design engineers needed a 3D modeling system to design an irregularly shaped buoyancy device for Schilling’s QUEST remotely operated undersea vehicle. The company immediately saw dramatic productivity gains and has standardized on SolidWorks software for all its new designs.

SolidWorks has delivered significant returns on Schilling’s investment above and beyond the BLEEX project. For example, Schilling was able to forgo extensive international travel time and expense in a customer engagement with the University of Bremen in Germany. The company was contracted to design portions of a deep-sea drill assembly to pull 50-meter geological samples from the ocean floor. Rather than fly to Germany, Schilling engineers were able to display designs in an online conferencing session using SolidWorks’ eDrawings email enabled communication tool. The client could see the design without installing any new software. SolidWorks has also simplified interactions with other customers and suppliers, many of whom use SolidWorks software themselves.

Schilling Robotics works with authorized SolidWorks reseller GEI technology, inc. for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

About Schilling Robotics
Schilling Robotics is a leading producer of undersea work equipment, including the Remote Systems Engine (RSE), the QUEST remotely operated vehicle (ROV) systems, and telerobotic manipulator systems with a wide range of functions, sizes, lift capacities, ranges of motion, control systems, and dexterities. The company is the world’s leading supplier of manipulator systems for the ROVs and cable trenching machines used in offshore oil, telecommunications, scientific, and military operations. While Schilling Robotics’ emphasis is on equipment for the subsea industry, the company’s manipulator systems are also used for a variety of terrestrial applications in government and commercial energy markets. In addition to producing standard products, the company undertakes a wide range of custom engineering projects. For more information, visit www.schilling.com.

About GEI technology, inc.
GEI technology, inc. is a certified SolidWorks and COSMOS sales, training, and technical support center with facilities in San Mateo, Roseville, Santa Clara, Rohnert Park, and Dublin, Calif. GEI has been providing superior support and state-of-the-art engineering solutions in Northern California since 1974. The company’s goal is to assist its clients in achieving their business goals by offering the resources they need to increase productivity and profitability. For more information about GEI technology, Inc. visit www.geitech.com.

About SolidWorks Corporation
SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. It is the #1 supplier of 3D mechanical design software for the mainstream market. SolidWorks leads the market in number of users in production, customer satisfaction, and revenue. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company’s Web site <www.solidworks.com> or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call +1-978-371-5000).