Dubai Victory Team Boats Fly with SolidWorks

By DE Editors

The Dubai Victory Team (Dubai, UAE) is using SolidWorks (Concord, MA) 3D CAD and SolidWorks Simulation design validation software to develop high-speed powerboats that will sustain the team's position as 2008 Class 1 World Powerboat Champions.

The team is now preparing for the 2009 season by using SolidWorks to improve hydro- and aerodynamics. It hopes the newly redesigned boats will continue to rocket at 160 miles per hour or more to new championships and speed records.

Optimizing hydro- and aerodynamics is paramount since only one propeller blade is in the water pushing the 4,800-kilogram boat at any time. Engineers redesigned the propeller in SolidWorks, using lighter and stronger material to deliver better weight/performance ratio. SolidWorks' surfacing also helps Victory Team engineer gaps out of the boat's hull, deck and cockpit designs, ensuring the boat is completely watertight — especially after integrating vendors' designs.

SolidWorks' large assembly and collision detection features save time while enabling engineers to optimize the propeller and power train design. Victory Team uses SolidWorks Simulation software to study how different parts of the boat's assembly will stand up to the rigors of powerboat racing. SolidWorks Motion enables the team to conduct torque and acceleration analysis of one of its gearboxes.

In the future, Victory engineers will use SolidWorks to more accurately calculate the boat's center of gravity to create more options for reducing weight (via material thickness analyses) and delivering more power.

For details, contact SolidWorks Corp. or Dassault Systemes.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company's website.