Emily Suzuki
Learn the key benefits of generative design for manufacturing, including reducing material waste and increasing productivity.
Generative design leverages AI to create various design outputs through an iterative process. These outputs must meet certain constraints set by the designer, which can include parameters such as material type, manufacturing methods, and manufacturing costs. The process is different from methods such as topology optimization and lattice optimization as it can generate many possible solutions for the design.
How do engineers use generative design?
One example of a company putting generative design to use is French sports equipment manufacturer and retailer Decathlon, which was inspired to take a new look at the design of the diving fin and make product performance and sustainability synonymous.
The team simulated hundreds of fin configurations, meticulously analyzing every detail from weight distribution to fin flexibility. The resulting React fin uses 50% less material and reduces the carbon footprint by 50% compared to the market benchmark. Generative design not only helped the Decathlon team to meet sustainability goals but also created an elegant aesthetic and a leap in the actual performance.
Continue reading below to learn about seven key benefits of generative design for manufacturing, in no particular order:
1. Thousands of ideas at the touch of a button
Generative design in Autodesk Fusion leverages AI to assist designers with the tedious tasks of optimizing designs for specific parameters. Simply input project parameters, and the tool will generate all possible design options optimized to meet your requirements.
2. Rapid approach to an optimal solution
Since more designs can be created within a shorter time frame, the optimal design solution can also be found quickly. This is because designers can compare and contrast all the different designs generated by the software before selecting the best one to refine. This saves time, of course, and also increases productivity as it frees engineers up for other valuable tasks.
3. Highly customizable constraints
Generative design doesn’t replace human designers and engineers, as they are still necessary throughout the entire process. After an initial design is produced, for example, the engineer can edit and refine the design to further meet project needs, such as cost and aesthetics.
4. Consolidation of Multiple Parts
The ability to consolidate multiple parts into a single part is another benefit of generative design. This is because highly complex information can be processed at a rate that is not possible for human brains to conceive. As a result, a single part can now be created to replace assemblies of two or more separate parts.
5. Decreased manufacturing costs
Due to the consolidation of multiple parts into a single part, decreased manufacturing costs can be expected. This is because the supply chain will be simplified due to the elimination of unnecessary parts, reducing the overall manufacturing cost of the product.
6. Reduced material waste
This is another benefit resulting from the consolidation of multiple parts. By creating models that require fewer parts, fewer materials are also required. This helps reduce material waste and costs and also helps companies achieve sustainable manufacturing goals.
7. Reduced weight
Reducing the weight of manufactured parts is another benefit and a real game changer for the aerospace and automotive industries. One recent case comes from General Motors, where engineers used generative design to produce a new seat bracket that combined eight components into one. This resulted in a 40 percent weight reduction and a 20 percent strength increase compared to the original design.
There you have it! Seven quickfire benefits of generative design for manufacturing. What are you waiting for? Try it out today.