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DST Launchs New Autodesk Inventor Module for STURDY Act Compliance

Revolutionary simulation technology enables furniture designers to virtually test stability requirements without physical prototypes

(Canton, MI) – Design Simulation Technologies, Inc. (DST; www.design-simulation.com), a leading provider of physics-based simulation software, in conjunction with Widom Associates, today announced the availability of the STURDY Module for Autodesk Inventor. This groundbreaking tool enables furniture designers to virtually test their designs against the requirements of the STURDY Act using the testing methods described in the ASTM F2057-23 specification, all within the familiar Inventor environment.

The STURDY Module leverages advanced simulation technology to automatically perform the three critical stability tests required by law: testing with all drawers filled with clothing, simulating stability impact on carpeting, and evaluating dynamic forces from toddlers grabbing drawer pulls. Using their existing Inventor furniture design, designers need only provide minimal additional information before the comprehensive tests can be executed automatically in minutes, eliminating the need for physical prototypes or time-consuming manual testing.

The STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) was enacted to protect young children from injuries and fatalities related to furniture tip-overs. The legislation requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish mandatory safety standards for dressers and similar products manufactured or sold in the United States. Since the standard took effect on September 1, 2023, manufacturers must ensure their furniture meets these stringent requirements before products reach consumers.

"This new product exemplifies our mission of making sophisticated simulation technology accessible to professionals who need reliable answers without requiring extensive simulation expertise," said Alan Wegienka, President of DST. "The STURDY Module packages the same powerful simulation technology used in automotive, aerospace, and machinery industries, delivering it in a format that furniture designers can use immediately. Beyond compliance testing, the module provides additional calculations that help designers create even safer products."

"We have a substantial customer base using our specialized Inventor-based tools for furniture design, and they all need solutions to help them comply with STURDY Act requirements," said Steve Widom, CTO of Widom Associates. "Our collaboration with DST delivers a solution that allows furniture manufacturers to verify compliance before investing in prototypes and physical testing. When they send a unit for certification testing, they can be confident it will pass."

The STURDY Module represents a significant advancement in furniture design workflow efficiency. Traditional compliance testing requires building physical prototypes and conducting time-intensive laboratory tests, often resulting in costly design iterations when products fail to meet standards. The virtual testing capability allows designers to optimize their designs during the CAD development phase, significantly reducing development time and costs while ensuring regulatory compliance.

Key features of the STURDY Module include:

• Automated execution of all three ASTM F2057-23 stability tests
• Integration with existing Autodesk Inventor furniture designs
• Advanced stability analysis beyond basic compliance requirements
• Detailed reporting and documentation for regulatory submissions
• Rapid testing capability enabling multiple design iterations
• No simulation expertise required for operation

The STURDY Module is available exclusively through Widom Associates, which will serve as the primary marketing and distribution channel. Furniture manufacturers, designers, and CAD professionals interested in learning more about the STURDY Module should contact Widom Associates directly.

About DST

DST develops physics-based simulation software. The company's products are used by engineering professionals to build and test virtual models of their mechanical designs, and by STEM educators and students in the classroom to teach and learn about physics and engineering kinematics, dynamics, and machine design.

With DST's SimWise 4D, Working Model 2D, and Dynamic Designer products, users evaluate design performance by conducting complete, accurate simulations. Engineers, professors and students can quickly perform "what-if" analyses, find and correct design problems, plus refine and validate designs without the need for physical prototypes.

Students in high school and college use Interactive Physics, DST's award-winning educational software, to explore and understand the physical world through simulation.

DST develops, markets, and supports these software tools for commercial and academic users worldwide. Selected DST products are available from leading CAD suppliers and CAE resellers. Learn more by visiting the DST website at www.design-simulation.com.

About Widom Associates

Widom Associates specializes in developing advanced CAD solutions and custom engineering software for the furniture and manufacturing industries. The company provides specialized Autodesk Inventor-based tools and consulting services that help furniture manufacturers optimize their design and manufacturing processes.