March 29, 2010
Lenovo's Fastest Workstations Propel Attempt for "Fastest Vehicle on the Planet" Record
North American Eagle Vehicle Designed for Maximum Performance and Speed
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC –
March 29, 2010: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) ThinkStation workstations and ThinkPad
mobile workstations are powering the North American Eagle team's
attempt for the title of "fastest vehicle on the planet" with a land
speed record of over 800 mph. The team relies on the workstations for
fast, reliable data and graphics-crunching to improve the design of the
vehicle before making physical adjustments, helping save valuable time
and resources as they race against global competitors to be the first to
break the record and claim the international title.
"Creating the world's fastest vehicle requires
innovative design, and that challenge can't be overcome without the use
of a powerful workstation, like the ThinkStation workstation," said Ed
Shadle, owner and driver, North American Eagle. "We can now obtain our
test results faster by using a ThinkStation D10 workstation coupled with
CATIA software, making it a perfect hub for redesigning parts,
evaluating large and complex assemblies, running analyses and assessing
multiple designs quickly to save huge amounts of engineering time."
Workstations Break Design Barriers
Ed Shadle created the North
American Eagle in 1998 by converting a 1957 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
jet into a vehicle capable of breaking the sound barrier. His team has
optimized the vehicle's design to reach maximum speeds, with a record so
far of 400 mph. With the next test run, they expect to reach speeds of
550 mph.
Going to extreme speeds generates a variety of
factors that his volunteer team of engineers and scientists must
consider. For example, the degree of aerodynamics can make the
difference between crashing into the ground and bulleting into the air.
The North American Eagle team uses the Lenovo ThinkStation D10
workstation for all aspects of the car design, including wheels, brakes,
steering and suspension. A 3-D modeling program helps them determine
the right materials composition and placement for the wheels to reach
speeds of up to 15,000 rpm and for braking that won't damage the engine.
This kind of intensive modeling also helps ensure the steering remains
strong and the suspension stays stable at high speeds.
The ThinkStation workstation also runs computational fluid
dynamics and can support multiple, simultaneous analyses to evaluate
transonic shock waves that start to develop around the car starting at
Mach 0.7 – 70 percent of the speed of sound. The team uses the
workstation to analyze photos and information captured on a solid state
drive during test runs. They work virtually from their homes as well as
in their offices, using the D10 as a collaborative tool.
"We created our ThinkStation workstations and ThinkPad mobile
workstations with users exactly like Ed Shadle and the North American
Eagle team in mind," said Mark Cohen, vice president, ThinkStation
Workstation Business Unit, Lenovo. "These workstations are not only
helping to engineer the fastest car on the planet, they are developing a
design that is safe for the driver inside."
Lenovo Mobile Workstations Improve Field Tests
The North American Eagle team
also requires a reliable and durable mobile PC to maximize the work
completed during field tests. The team relies on a Lenovo ThinkPad
W700ds mobile workstation located inside the North American Eagle
vehicle to gather data and analyze each run. The engineers and
scientists graph the rate of acceleration and speeds of the vehicle via
a global navigation system receiving information from 17 satellites. The
system sends data to the Lenovo mobile workstation, allowing them to
make necessary adjustments while still in the field.
Designed for Performance
With the introduction of the ThinkStation D20,
successor to the D10, and its family members, the entry E20 and mid
range S20, Lenovo has further expanded its line of workstations. These
workstations offer increased performance as well as new entry-level
pricing of under $600 for select models. Lenovo workstations offer the
latest Intel processors including Xeon and Core i5 Series and Nvidia
Quadro graphics for the most data and graphic-demanding professionals.
For those who require extreme performance and mobility, Lenovo created
ThinkPad mobile workstations. The ThinkPad W701ds, successor to the
W700ds, gives users unparalleled innovation with a second screen and
optional built-in color calibrator and Wacom digitizer with pen.
About
Lenovo
Lenovo
(HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building exceptionally
engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on
innovation, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a
focus on investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's
acquisition of the former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company
develops, manufactures and markets reliable, high-quality, secure and
easy-to-use technology products and services worldwide. Lenovo has major
research centers in Yamato, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen,
China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information see www.lenovo.com.
