FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 15, 2002 — ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Function Bay, Inc., supplier of a new generation of functional virtual prototyping software, will be exhibiting its new Version 4 of the RecurDyn software at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2002 on March 19-23 in Las Vegas in booth S-12204. Engineers can use this software to “test drive” tracked and wheeled off-highway equipment, and determine operational behavior, design loads, operator comfort, and energy consumption. This information is calculated from a physics-based computer model that can be developed early in the design cycle, before hardware prototypes are available.

Of special interest to the attendees of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2002 is the special tracked vehicle model that helps users set up and simulate tracked vehicles with surprising speed. The module automates the definition of roadwheel-track, sprocket-track, and track-ground contact forces. The track assembly is modeled with rigid track links connected with full 6 DOF bushings. The creation of the assembly is automated. Users can easily define a full 3D terrain and establish a virtual proving ground for their equipment.

A new user of RecurDyn who works at a major off-road equipment manufacturer said, “RecurDyn is much more complete and much faster than the simulation tool that we formerly used. It is critical for us to have a virtual model. We can make a design change and compare the performance on the virtual proving ground. We can’t make the same comparisons with physical testing because of the difficulty in getting repeatable results. With this tool we will have the information we need to be able to make important improvements to our products”.

RecurDyn is a multibody dynamic analysis program that helps users perform what-if studies of virtual prototypes. The software lets engineers analyze dynamic, kinematic, and compliance characteristics of virtual prototypes long before building a physical prototype. Virtual prototypes may be any type of machinery with moving parts, including automobiles, aircraft, electromechanical devices and industrial equipment.

Special application-specific modules bring a new level of productivity to the modeling and simulation of commercial tracked vehicles, military tracked vehicles, assemblies with chain/sprockets, assemblies with belt/pulleys, and media-handling equipment (including paper, film and anything in-between).

RecurDyn differs from conventional multibody dynamic analysis programs in its formulation. It uses relative coordinates when formulating the governing equations of motion and kinematics. This reduces troublesome geometric nonlinearities in mechanical systems. For example, automobile simulations with high-speed rotation (as with differential gear sets) frequently terminate before completion with conventional software. Such situations are sensitive to integration error tolerance. Simulations with high-speed rotations are carried out successfully with RecurDyn.

CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the largest exposition in the Western Hemisphere for the construction, aggregates, and ready mixed concrete industries. CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2002 will be the gathering place for more than 125,000 industry professionals looking for the latest equipment, materials, products, services, and innovations. For more information see www.conexpoconagg.com.

Note to Editors: RecurDyn is a trademark of Function Bay, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks belong to their respective holders.