In today’s fast-paced manufacturing landscape, staying ahead of technological trends is no longer a choice—it’s a necessity. At the forefront of this transformation is Autodesk’s Fusion 360, a comprehensive cloud-based platform that integrates CAD (Computer-Aided Design), CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), and CAE (Computer-Aided Engineering) to streamline workflows and drive innovation. Luke Mihelcic, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Autodesk Fusion 360, shared insights into how the platform is redefining digital transformation and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in modern manufacturing during a recent interview.
A Legacy of Integration and Innovation
Fusion 360 is not new to the industry; it’s been helping manufacturers connect their design and production processes for over a decade. “We’ve been doing this longer than most folks—putting CAD, CAM, and CAE tools in the cloud,” Mihelcic explains. The platform has proven indispensable in facilitating the shift toward digital transformation, particularly for companies grappling with fragmented processes that slow down production and limit innovation.
“In today’s manufacturing industry, digital transformation is critical. If manufacturers don’t digitize, they risk falling behind,” Mihelcic emphasizes. Fusion 360 bridges these gaps by centralizing design, engineering, and manufacturing data, ensuring that the entire production process—from conceptual design to final manufacturing—runs smoothly and efficiently.
AI-Powered Tools: Generative Design and Beyond
Autodesk’s leadership in AI-driven manufacturing solutions has been well-documented, with Fusion 360 at the center of these developments. The platform’s generative design capabilities, for instance, empower users to set real-world parameters and receive optimized designs based on materials, manufacturability, and other constraints. “Generative design allows users to input a set of factors and receive the best solution based on those variables,” Mihelcic says, noting that this tool has been available in Fusion 360 for several years.
Looking forward, Autodesk is continuing to push the envelope with AI innovations such as Project Bernini. This exciting research project, Mihelcic shares, allows users to upload images that are then transformed into 3D geometry. While still in development, Project Bernini represents Autodesk’s commitment to evolving AI’s role in manufacturing and design.
Even more practical, day-to-day AI applications are also being deployed. Mihelcic mentions the automation of tedious processes like 2D drawings and bill of materials (BOM) consolidation. “Through AI, we’re speeding up these tasks so designers can focus on more value-added work,” he adds.
For as long as I can remember, Las Vegas in November has signified one thing — Autodesk University. This year, however, was different. It is November, and Autodesk University 2020 did take place, but the show went on virtually online due to the ongoing pandemic, and not in Las Vegas.
AU was free of charge to attend this year online (which I felt was a nice gesture), and Autodesk claims 100,000+ registrants/attendees. Given the circumstances, overall, the presentations and classes were well done with good content. Although there were obviously online production costs, and no attendee fees, I’m sure Autodesk saved a ton of money as compared to a “live event.” This year’s theme was “Reimagine Possible.”
As in years past, with industry-specific sessions, AU covers architecture, media & entertainment, and design & manufacturing. So what was announced for design & manufacturing in particular? Let’s take a quick look.
As much as I have tried to resist the temptation to gush all over myself, I’ve had a tough time restraining my enthusiasm for the myriad cloud-based computing and storage options that have come online in the recent past and their potential. OK, it’s time for a reality check – facts, fallacies, myths, and risks.
Keep in mind, though, that Onshape is online only and always requires a Web connection to be functional. With connectivity so universally ubiquitous, this shouldn’t pose a problem for a majority of prospective users. At this time, the company has no plans for making Onshape available offfline, so if this is an issue or concern, then Onshape may not be a design tool for you. However, that said, I’d encourage you to check out Onshape.
Also, I pointed out that as interesting Onshape is, it is by no means the first or only cloud-based technical/design/engineering software offering. As a matter of fact, it turns out there are quite a few, including:
Admittedly, this is not an exhaustive list, and is not meant to be. I just wanted to provide some of the cloud-based tools currently available. I also realize that the above have different features and capabilities, so it’s not an “apples to apples” comparison.
While the following video is a few years old, and some of the technologies discussed have been superseded or retired, it provides a good overview for novices of what cloud computing is about.
Autodesk President and CEO, Carl Bass, led a conversation about “Engineering the Future” for the manufacturing industry at Develop3D LIVE 2013.
In a keynote address, Bass demonstrated how a series of major technology trends are shaping the way product designers and engineers work, and how these trends paved the way for Autodesk to create its cloud-based design platform Autodesk 360, which has been accessed by nearly 15 million users since September 2011.
Additionally, Bass announced that pricing for Autodesk Fusion 360, Autodesk’s comprehensive cloud-based 3D CAD offering, will range from $25 to $200 per user, per month. Originally unveiled at Autodesk University 2012, the cloud technology behind Autodesk Fusion 360 offers universal access where design data is the center of the design process. It also supports an open design environment, allowing designers to incorporate and modify CAD data from virtually any source and share it.
Carl discusses the Cloud and how it is transforming design:
In the following video, Carl discusses how Autodesk is solving tough design problems with Fusion 360, and provides examples of how Fusion 360 provides designers and engineers with clear choices on not only what they want to use, but also how they can buy it, and what it costs.
This is interesting news because I’m about to go hands-on with Autodesk Fusion 360. I’ll tell you how it goes.
