ATA has more than 30 years of experience working with the themed entertainment industry, providing specialized engineering support of integrated mechanical and structural systems to leading park owners and equipment manufacturers. Our theme park engineering services include design, analysis, and testing of mechanical systems to ensure safe and reliable operation of attractions, animatronic figures, and show action equipment.
We have a long history designing ride vehicle, track structure, and animatronic figure modifications for the themed entertainment industry, and we frequently provide independent, third-party design reviews for our customers to validate analysis methods, assumptions, and results. We work collaboratively with manufacturer and operator teams to evaluate structural safety and durability using various computer analysis techniques and engineering calculations. Our testing services, which include acceptance testing, model verification, and general troubleshooting, complement our analytical approach to problem solving. Our broad testing capabilities can be tailored to each customer’s needs, and we typically utilize strain and acceleration measurements during operational performance to characterize the load environment and dynamic amplification effects.
As part of our work in the themed entertainment industry, ATA has contributed to the development of various structures, vehicle systems, and show action equipment. For example, ATA engineers are able to create flexible motion models of animatronics and ride vehicles and simulate their responses due to the prescribed design motion profiles, allowing us to quantify the dynamic amplification effects of different inputs on the structural performance within the design components. Additionally, we often perform fatigue and durability assessments to determine whether the operational design life targets are met by the design. Similarly, we are experienced in conducting structural analyses of rides, signage, and thematic elements to assess the ability to withstand environmental wind and seismic loading conditions.
ATA has worked with customers to create and manufacture solutions that meet their needs. We have designed mechanical systems with complete drawing packages for attraction queue hardware, simulator cabins, and reinforced animatronic frames. As another part of our core services, ATA is able to analyze composite layups and provide recommendations for implementing composites into customer designs. ATA provides a deep understanding of how to manufacture composite structures which will best meet the client’s needs. We also perform composite manufacturing audits of manufacturers and subcontractors. In these audits, ATA evaluates quality assurance and manufacturing procedures to verify that a manufacturer is capable of delivering quality composite products.
Our testing capabilities allow us to physically validate analysis models and engineering calculations and generate as-built load and stress environments. We have conducted testing of ride installations and animatronics, typically during commissioning, to verify that the stresses and accelerations fall within the values accounted for during the design and analysis phases. Additionally, we have conducted Standardized Amusement Ride Characterization (SARC) testing on rides to ensure that accelerations are within acceptable limits per ASTM F2291. Testing can also be useful to quantify an unknown environment before a solution is designed. For example, some of ATA’s projects involve collecting data for an existing location and using these measurements to help develop new designs that can withstand or reduce a problematic high-frequency environment.
ATA has extensive experience in designing and qualifying structures to a number of different standards. For example, we are very familiar with analyzing amusement rides and devices according to ASTM F2291. As members of ASTM International, ATA works consistently with the ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides and Devices to develop and maintain the standards governing the design and operation of rides and attractions and ensure that we are staying updated with the industry. We also offer detailed design for efficient manufacturing, with fabrication drawings produced to American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. Additionally, we offer the ability to evaluate designs to a customer’s internal design standards. ATA has Professional Engineers (PE) in both California and Florida, as well as New York, Alabama, and others.
Please contact us to learn how our award-winning team can contribute to your success.
FEATURED Brochure
Themed Entertainment Industry Capabilities Brochure
ATA Engineering has supported the engineering needs of the themed entertainment industry for more than 30 years. With a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified and experienced engineers, ATA provides a comprehensive range of technical solutions to address the engineering challenges associated with reliable, high duty cycle, cost-effective operation of high-energy attractions and show action equipment.
THEMED ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS
23rd Annual Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Theme Park
Shanghai Disneyland
Shanghai Disney Resort, China
19th Annual Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – New Theme Park Land
Cars Land
Disney California Adventure Theme Park, California, USA
18th Annual Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction Refresh
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida & Disneyland Park, California, USA
29th Annual Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Theme Park
Universal Studios Beijing Theme Park Resort
Universal Studios Beijing – Beijing, China
27th Annual Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Attraction
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida & Disneyland Park, California, USA
15th Annual Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – Vehicle Frame Structural Assessment
The Simpsons Ride
Connect with us to discuss how our advanced multi-disciplinary team can help you achieve your engineering goals.