Shannon McGarry
Learn how Autodesk Fusion streamlines the automotive design and manufacturing process to help your team move faster, reduce errors, and deliver better products.
In the world of custom automotive design, performance engineering, and classic car restoration, companies often face significant challenges: missing OEM CAD data, time-consuming prototyping, integration hurdles with manufacturing tools, complex geometries, collaboration barriers, and stringent regulatory compliance. Let’s take a look at these challenges more closely and see why Fusion is a great solution to help you tackle these challenges.
Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion
Bridging the gap: from physical parts to digital models
One of the biggest obstacles custom automotive design and manufacturing companies face is the lack of original CAD files, particularly when dealing with legacy or aftermarket components. Using manual measurements or juggling different software often slows things down and leads to errors.
Fusion simplifies this process through its Scan-to-CAD workflow. By directly importing 3D scans, you can use the mesh workspace for automated mesh-to-solid conversion. T-spline technology in Fusion also makes it easy to reconstruct organic shapes with precision.
Accelerating prototyping with integrated simulation
Traditional prototyping methods are often slow and costly, delaying product development. Fusion has a comprehensive set of simulation capabilities—including stress, thermal, modal, and vibration analyses—and AI-driven generative design for rapid iterations and optimization early on in the design process. Fusion also has integrated slicing tools and CNC toolpath generation for both additive and subtractive manufacturing, making it ideal for rapid prototyping during the automotive design and manufacturing process.
Seamless automotive design integration with modern manufacturing
In the past, integrating design tools with manufacturing processes has often been challenging and inefficient. Fusion makes this easy with its fully integrated CAD-CAM workflow. You can create toolpaths directly from design files with a single click, supporting 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machining, as well as additive and hybrid processes. Even more, automatic manufacturing setup tools help to expedite fixture and stock preparation.
Tackling complex geometries and customization
Designing complex custom parts, such as aerodynamic components, engine brackets, and suspension setups, can be challenging, especially when done manually. Parametric modeling tools in Fusion make it easy to tweak complex geometry by adjusting key parameters. Generative design technology creates multiple, optimized part recommendations for you and advanced surfacing and T-spline modeling tools help you create complex, organic forms without the hassle.
Enhancing collaboration across automotive design teams
Coordinating teams across different locations can be really difficult without standardized digital workflows. With real-time cloud collaboration tools, your team can review, comment, and work together from anywhere. Built-in data management keeps track of versions and progress automatically, helping everyone stay on the same page and work more smoothly.
Ensuring regulatory compliance digitally
Making sure parts are safe and high-quality is a must when developing any product. Simulation tools in Fusion will show you how things hold up under stress or heat. It also gives you access to trusted material data and keeps track of changes and documentation along the way. This makes it easier to catch issues early, cut down on testing costs, and get your product to market faster.
Automotive design made easy with Fusion
Autodesk Fusion is here to make your automotive design and manufacturing journey easier. Empower your team to innovate more efficiently, and bring high-quality products to market faster.