News

USAF taps VEXTEC for development of advanced durability simulator.

Firm’s unique product simulation technology singled out from
more than 500 companies nationwide

Brentwood, TN, February 10, 2009 – The U.S. Air Force has awarded VEXTEC Corporation a contract to help develop a durability simulator for cutting edge, gas turbine engine components. It is expected that these new components be able to withstand operating temperatures ranging from 500F to 1300F, and as a result extend the range of the engines by improving fuel efficiency. The company will use its Virtual Life Management (VLM) technology to characterize component durability over the widest possible range of operating conditions, running billions of interactive metallic grain simulations in minutes.

"Obviously, we're very pleased to have been awarded this Air Force Research Laboratory contract," said Loren Nasser, VEXTEC President and CEO. "Through the achievement of higher fuel efficiency, the Air Force is demonstrating how the use of "green" turbine engine technology can save billions in military and private industry applications. We're very proud to be an integral part of that effort."

Although previous turbine components have been made of a single material structure, future engines exposed to such widely ranging temperature extremes must consist of materials with a gradient structure. The industry is currently experimenting with the processing of gradient materials, however traditional life-prediction models cannot account for the effect that gradient microstructures have on durability. Only VEXTEC's VLM advanced simulation technology has the capability to quickly, accurately and efficiently model the durability these advanced processing techniques will provide. Once these materials and processes are identified, they'll be deployed in other Air Force programs. VEXTEC's findings will ultimately make their way to commercial aircraft, helping to reduce weight and improve fuel usage for commercial airline fleets.

About VEXTEC
EXTEC is the only company in the world that can accurately predict the performance, durability and true lifetime cost of a single component or an entire fleet-before they're ever built. Founded in 2000, VEXTEC has pioneered and patented innovations in material science and probability theory to form the foundation of its Virtual Life Management (VLM) technology. Manufacturing companies from such diverse industries as aerospace, heavy equipment, automotive, electronics and medical implants can all benefit from VEXTEC's unique ability to predict product life cycles and failure, and most importantly, their financial consequences. To learn more, visit www.vextec.com.

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