Generative Design for Industrial Applications

In this lesson, we'll discover what you'll learn in this course and download the software and resources you need. We create an Autodesk ID and install Fusion 360. Installing Autodesk® Fusion 360™ only takes a few minutes and an Autodesk ID to log in.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Create an Autodesk ID.
• Download and install Autodesk Fusion 360.

In most industries and with most products less weight means more profit through various factors. This could be shipping weight, manufacturing cost, or really anything. In some cases where a design requires a large billet of material and cost increases with more material removed we see a balance where manufacturing cost vs. shipping and packaging cost plays a big factor. In this lesson, we’ll focus on custom fixturing devices. With custom fixtures use to aid in manufacturing low volume parts we often make design decisions that are based on time, cost and strength. Let’s see how a traditional design is made.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Inspect mass properties.
• Create a parameter-based design.
• Identify how to optimize a design.

In most cases a generative design will start with obstacles and preserves, but there are instances where you might want to drive the shape a bit more by giving it a starting point. In this lesson, we‘ll look at setting up the initial shape for our fixture because our mounting points will be obscured by obstacle regions.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Create fully constrained and dimensioned sketches.
• Create a component.
• Create basic features.

With the initial design and starting point created we can now focus our attention to the final pieces of the geometry puzzle, Obstacles and Preserves. In this lesson, we’ll create additional geometry needed to drive the generative design outcome.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Create fully constrained and dimensioned sketches.
• Create basic features.
• Practice selecting obstacle and preserve regions.

Setting up a Generative Design Study requires knowledge of the products end use to accurately describe any real-world forces that act on it. In this lesson, we’ll set up a Generative Study for a forming tool and capture critical loads and constraints that will drive the design.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Define a Generative Study.
• Define Loads and Constraints.
• Select Materials.
• Create Generative Outcomes.

Once a generative study is solved, we can have hundreds of outcomes and iterations to pick through. In this lesson, we’ll use some filtering tools and options to help pinpoint the best design for us.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Demonstrate how to filter Generative Outcomes.
• Analyze Stress Distribution.
• Select an Iteration.
• Create a Design.

With a 3D design created from a generative outcome, we need to dig in deeper and explore all aspects. From identifying the created geometry to analyzing its mass properties. In this lesson, we’ll dissect a generative outcome to prepare it for manufacturing.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Analyze a design.
• Modify features.
• Analyze Mass Properties.

Before we can create a new design based on a generative outcome, we must understand the differences between our traditional model and an optimized model. This involves thoroughly exploring geometry, simulation results and mass. In this lesson, we’ll dive deep into the various models to understand areas we can improve upon while keeping a design able to be manufactured with our traditional means.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Examine geometry.
• Analyze model parameters.
• Review Simulation Results.

Armed with knowledge, we can now create a new design based on the generative outcome. Often the optimal and organic generative outcome can be replicated closely with simple geometry that is more in line with a different fabrication method such as welded assemblies. Let’s jump into the process and work through reverse engineering a generative design.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Create a generative based design.
• Recall the reverse engineering process.

With a generative inspired design complete, we now need to set up and run another simulation to validate this new concept. Using the same static simulation parameters from the original and generative design, we’ll create and run a final simulation.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Prepare and run a static stress simulation.

Digital testing and validation is a key step in the engineering and design process. Generative design takes load and constraint inputs and solves for the ideal load cases based on criteria we set. When we design parts or assemblies, we utilize our knowledge and experience to plan and produce parts. In this lesson, we’ll combine and review three different iterations of the same part and ensure we meet all the requirements for our design.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Review Simulation Results.
• Plan Design Changes.
• Apply Model Adjustments.

Often designs need to be shared and reviewed. In this lesson, we’ll learn how to share designs, create renders, and produce exploded views.

After completing this lesson, you'll be able to:

• Summarize how to share a design for review.
• Prepare a rendering.
• Create an exploded view animation.

In today’s fast past world of design and manufacturing, many machine shops are no longer requiring a “print” or detailed drawing to produce your parts, but that isn’t always the case. Let’s look at how to create a detailed drawing to assist in quoting or manufacturing of a part.

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

• Explain how to share a design for review.
• Create a detailed drawing.

Demonstrate your knowledge and skills by completing the course challenge. Once you complete the challenge assignment, ask your peers for feedback by uploading your design to your Portfolio page.

After completing this course, take the next step in advancing your knowledge and skills in Generative Design and building job skills demanded by industry.