Autodesk adds new manufacturing constraints and costing insights for generative design workspace in Fusion 360.
During its annual Autodesk University London event, Autodesk has today announced a number of updates to its Fusion 360 cloud-based design platform.
The company introduced three new sets of capabilities including a new manufacturing extension to cater to the more advanced manufacturing requirements, two additional manufacturing constraints and new costing insights for its generative design workspace.
The new extension will act as a hybrid manufacturing environment, letting users perform processes such as complex surface finishing, automated drilling, additive manufacturing and automated verification workflows. The extension can be activated on a short-term basis for 125 cloud credits per month, per user whenever it is required. It forms part of Autodesk's Amazon Prime-like 'consumption model' which allows users to bolt-on extensions to its standard subscription packages as and when needed. Autodesk says these added capabilities will enable users to quickly generate more effective NC programmes and achieve time savings across both programming and machining for faster time-to-market. Additional options to control output will also help deliver a higher-grade surface finish.
In generative design, users will now be able to view manufacturing cost estimates for each design result. Powered by aPriori, a product cost management platform, the costing model will account for geometry, material and manufacturing method including any future manufacturing options that will be made available for generative design. APriori will automatically analyse each design variation created in a study to identify its manufacturing cost range without the need for manual input by highly trained experts.
“We’re also seeing future opportunities to extend the insights provided with each generative design study,” said Stephanie Feraday, president and CEO of aPriori Technologies. “We could potentially include not only cost, but also manufacturability guidance, which will make the selection of design direction even more efficient.”
Lastly, Autodesk is adding two more manufacturing constraints to its generative design workspace. Starting with a new die casting constraint, the update aims to bring together next-generation design technology with one of the industry’s most established manufacturing processes and will be available soon as a technology preview. Following that, a new 2.5-axis milling constraint will be added to the software’s current CNC constraints which aims to make it easier for users to manufacture generative parts with current processes and machinery.
