Autodesk to acquire Moldflow
Published Thu 22 May 2008
Autodesk has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Moldflow, the plastic simulation specialist for approximately $297 million.
Moldflow news analysis
If you look at the Digital Prototyping related projects Autodesk is currently working on, which range from Plastic Part design using functional design technology, through to mould and die design, then the Moldflow acquisition makes perfect sense. If you can design plastic parts intelligently using Inventor and AliasStudio and build an injection mould tool, then the ability to simulate the efficiency and results of that mould tool as you’re doing it, then the process will be much more efficient and more intelligent. MoldFlow has a huge range of technology, much of which is not as well known as the mould filling simulation technology, which covers the whole production process.
The company’s software allows designers to predict and optimise how plastic components will perform during each phase of the design and manufacture process and includes Moldflow Plastics Advisers (MPA) (pictured).
“Moldflow is a leader in computer integrated manufacturing and brings strong analysis and simulation capabilities to our Digital Prototyping solution,” said Carl Bass, Autodesk president and CEO. “Their strong brand recognition will further enhance our leadership in Digital Prototyping by bringing best-of-class simulation and optimization into our portfolio. The products of Autodesk and Moldflow are very complementary, and combining our product lines will expand the product offerings available to Autodesk’s customers.”
