EACC Highlights Leading Edge CFD Becoming the Fastest Growing Branch of CAE

April 19, 2005, Darmstadt, Germany

Fluent, the world leader in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software and services, today announced a comprehensive and high profile agenda for the 2nd European Automotive CFD Conference (EACC) to be held in the Congress Center of Frankfurt, Germany, June 29-30, 2005. The EACC is Europe's biggest CFD event dedicated to automotive applications, showcasing the very latest state-of-the-art simulation technologies and innovations in Fluid Flow Modeling and its related disciplines. It is also an ideal opportunity to network with Presidents, Vice Presidents, Directors, Managers, Engineers, Consultants and Partners from market leading companies.

The importance of CFD simulation is backed up by figures from industry analysts, Daratech Inc., which show CFD is now the fastest growing branch of the Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) business, with annual retail sales of CFD software approaching $300m and expected continued growth through to 2008 of 16 percent per year. With modeling and simulation now emerging as key technologies to support manufacturing in the 21st Century and CFD offering more benefit than other techniques for improving products, perfecting processes, reducing design-to-manufacturing cycle time and reducing product realization costs, the EACC is shaping up to become the showcase event of its type in the world.

The EACC is a unique biannual event attracting speakers of the highest caliber from around the world. This year's keynote contributors include Mr. Bruno Hazet, Manager of Vehicle Conceptual Design of PSA Peugeot Citroën and Mr. Lin-Jie Huang, Senior Staff Research Scientist of Delphi Inc. In the plenary session Mr. Séverin Lanfranchi, R&D Director for CATIA Simulations of Dassault Systèmes, will talk about the Integration of CFD into their PLM software, followed by a presentation of the FLUENT in CATIA V5 solution. In addition, Mr. Marcus Matthes, Senior Technical Fellow of Visteon, Prof. Löfdahl of Chalmers University of Gothenburg and Mr. Martin Küssner, Managing Director of ABAQUS Deutschland, will be speaking on the emerging picture of the integration of aeroacoustics, aerodynamics and fluid-structure interaction simulations in the design process for new cars.

A further key feature of the EACC will be an impressive series of presentations from world leading companies including Daimler-Chrysler, Ducati, Dürr Systems, Eberspächer, Honda, Hyundai, Opel, Rieter Automotive, Robert Bosch, Skoda, Valeo Engine Cooling and Volvo. Topics covered will span the full automotive CFD application range from acoustics, aerodynamics, exhaust after-treatment, fuel cells, fluid-structure interaction, internal combustion engine modeling, powertrain, thermal comfort management, underhood thermal management, paintshops, fans, filters, heat exchangers, and diesel engines up to innovations such as electric drive. In addition, technology focus sessions on CAD-to-Mesh including mesh wrapping, moving components including In-Cylinder Engines, acoustics and advanced turbulence modeling, will all keep attendees abreast of leading edge application developments.

Formula 1 racing will also have a strong presence at the event. Scuderia Ferrari, FIA World Champions for the last 6 years, and Sauber-Petronas, who have commissioned one of the most powerful computers being used within Formula 1, will be there, along with Advantage CFD / BAR Honda, who will be presenting new ways of design optimization.

Coupled with a Partner Pavilion, a range of awards honoring outstanding achievements in CFD, and a River Cruise in the evening of the first day, the EACC is set to be the biggest Automotive CFD Event in Europe in 2005.

To find out more about the EACC, the Agenda, Sponsorship Opportunities, and Early Bird Registration information, visit www.eacc.fluent.com.

About Fluent

Fluent is the world's largest provider of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and consulting services. Fluent's software is used for simulation, visualization, and analysis of fluid flow, heat and mass transfer, and chemical reactions. It is a vital part of the computer-aided engineering (CAE) process for companies around the world and is deployed in nearly every manufacturing industry. Using Fluent's software, engineers build virtual prototypes and simulate the performance of proposed and existing designs, allowing them to improve design quality while reducing cost and speeding time to market. Fluent's corporate headquarters are located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA, with offices in Belgium, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, China and Sweden. Its CFD software is also available around the world through joint ventures, partnerships, and distributors in Australia, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Middle East, Korea, Taiwan, and most European countries.

FLUENT® is a registered trademark of Fluent Inc.