Joy Mining Machinery Uses Digital Prototyping Software to Create More Efficient Continuous Miner-Bolter Machine That Improves Workplace Safety

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — (BUSINESS WIRE) — September 16, 2010 — Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) has named Joy Mining Machinery, a leading global supplier of underground mining systems, as the Autodesk Inventor of the Month for September. The company used Autodesk Inventor Digital Prototyping software to develop its JOY 14ED25 continuous miner-bolter machine.

The JOY 14ED25 is used by mining companies to develop underground mine entries. Combining mining and bolting operations into a single machine helps promote zero harm in the underground mining environment by eliminating the need for two separate machines within the limited space of an underground entry. By utilizing the JOY 14ED25, mining companies can safely maximize both productivity and lower cost.

Digital Prototyping with Autodesk Inventor makes it easier for Joy engineers to design, visualize and simulate each JOY 14ED25 to meet customer specifications, while focusing on other important areas, such as ergonomics and better accessibility of serviceable parts. The resulting machines are easier to operate and maintain, while performing more reliably in harsh mining environments — all of which increases operator safety in multiple ways.

“Our machines are precisely tailored to meet the mining applications of each customer,” said Chris Flynn, director of engineering systems at Joy. “We don’t produce ‘cookie-cutter’ solutions. The powerful visualization capabilities in Autodesk Inventor help us share our vision of each customer’s machine before we start to build it. We can arrive at the optimum solution virtually.”

Digital 3D Models of Thousands of Parts

Historically, the development of underground mine entries has significantly slowed mining operations because two separate machines were required: a mining machine to cut the material and create a passageway, and a bolting machine to install large bolts that support the roof and side walls.

Joy relies on a comprehensive Digital Prototyping solution deployed by Autodesk Consulting and used by hundreds of engineers in the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia. Inventor software enables Joy engineers to digitally explore and test different ideas in 3D. In addition, Autodesk Vault Manufacturing software helps the company more effectively manage its engineering data — a critical business need when each machine contains from 3,000 to 7,000 discrete parts, and as many as 40,000 parts in total.

“Equipment manufacturers like Joy must balance pressure to get products to market faster while safely increasing production and reducing costs,” said Robert “Buzz” Kross, senior vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. “That is often a tall order, and we recognize the innovative engineering team behind this impressive continuous miner-bolter machine.”

About the Autodesk Inventor of the Month Program

Each month, Autodesk selects an Inventor of the Month from the users of Autodesk Inventor software, which takes manufacturers beyond 3D to Digital Prototyping. Winners are chosen for engineering excellence and groundbreaking innovation. For more information about Autodesk Inventor of the Month, contact us at Email Contact.

About Joy Mining Machinery

Joy Mining Machinery has 90 years of experience as a global leader in the development, manufacture, distribution and service of underground mining machinery for the extraction of coal and other bedded materials. For additional information, visit www.joy.com.

About Autodesk Consulting

Working with a global network of partners, Autodesk Consulting provides best practices and top-level expertise to help organizations fully adopt and integrate Autodesk technology for design innovation and business operational excellence. For more information, visit www.autodesk.com/consulting.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc., is a leader in 3D design, engineering and entertainment software. Customers across the manufacturing, architecture, building, construction, and media and entertainment industries – including the last 15 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects – use Autodesk software to design, visualize and simulate their ideas. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software for global markets. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.

Editorial Note:

An interview with Joy Mining Machinery is available on the Autodesk YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0gehI3tVK8.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.