Shannon McGarry
Planning your AU 2026 schedule? Don’t miss these Autodesk Fusion sessions on design, engineering, manufacturing, AI, collaboration, and the digital thread.
Every year, Autodesk University brings together designers, engineers, manufacturers, and innovators to learn from industry leaders, discover new workflows, and see where Autodesk technology is headed next. AU 2026 is no exception.
Whether you’re attending AU 2026 in persona or joining select sessions online, this year’s lineup includes several valuable sessions for Fusion users or those interested in product development, manufacturing, collaboration, AI, and digital transformation. Make sure to get them added to your schedule.
A Year in Review: What You Might Have Missed in Autodesk Fusion
Thursday, September 17 | 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM PDT
Over the past year, Autodesk Fusion has expanded across design, manufacturing, electronics, collaboration, and data management. This session provides a comprehensive look at the most impactful updates introduced since the last AU, including enhancements that help teams move more efficiently from concept to production.
You’ll also gain insight into Autodesk’s strategic investments and what they mean for the future of product development.
Why attend:
- Get caught up on the latest Fusion capabilities
- Learn how new features connect design, electronics, manufacturing, and data
- Understand Autodesk’s long-term Fusion vision
- Identify opportunities to improve your current workflows
Collaborating at the Heart of Design and Manufacturing
Wednesday, September 16 | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Innovation often happens when multidisciplinary teams collaborate around a shared goal. This session explores how Team Bath Heart, a University of Bath engineering team and two-time Heart Hackathon champion, is using Autodesk Fusion to develop next-generation artificial heart technology.
You’ll see how collaborative workflows, simulation, CAM programming, generative design, and rapid prototyping can accelerate development of highly complex biomedical products.
Why attend:
- Learn how Fusion supports multidisciplinary product development
- Explore practical applications of simulation and generative design
- See how collaborative workflows improve innovation
- Gain insights that apply far beyond the medical-device industry
From Inventor Design to Machined Part: Building a Real Digital Thread with Autodesk Fusion CAM
Wednesday, September 16 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM PDT
Many organizations struggle with disconnects between engineering and manufacturing. This technical deep dive shows how one real-world project moved from design in Inventor to production using the Fusion Manufacturing Extension.
The session covers linked workflows, CAM programming, G-code generation, design change management, Vault Professional, AnyCAD references, and Desktop Connector.
Why attend:
- Learn proven Inventor-to-Fusion manufacturing workflows
- See how design changes can automatically update toolpaths
- Understand different approaches to managing revisions and releases
- Discover practical ways to improve engineering-manufacturing collaboration
From Design to MAKE at ITT Flow Technologies: Building a Connected Digital Manufacturing Strategy
Thursday, September 17 | 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Digital transformation is often discussed in theory. This session focuses on how one manufacturer is putting it into practice.
Learn how ITT Flow Technologies is reconnecting design, engineering, programming, and production using Inventor, Vault, and Fusion to establish a more connected digital thread across the product lifecycle.
Why attend:
- Learn how to assess digital maturity
- Identify opportunities to reduce manual processes and rework
- Understand approaches to creating a connected manufacturing strategy
- Discover how to prioritize high-impact improvements
From AI Concept to Product Development: Partner Innovation in Autodesk Fusion
Thursday, September 17 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
AI is rapidly changing how products are conceived, evaluated, and developed.
This partner panel features leaders from Vizcom, Avnet, and Naya Studio, showcasing how AI-powered workflows integrate with Autodesk Fusion to accelerate concept generation, visualize ideas, improve supply-chain awareness, and provide early cost and sustainability insights.
Why attend:
- Learn how AI is impacting product design and manufacturing
- Discover emerging Fusion-integrated workflows
- Hear directly from industry innovators
- Understand how automation can improve decision-making earlier in development
From Outsourced to In-House: How Product Teams Are Rebuilding Manufacturing with Autodesk Fusion
Thursday, September 17 | 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT
As companies reassess offshore manufacturing strategies, many are exploring how connected design and manufacturing workflows can enable more efficient in-house production.
This session examines how Fusion helps reduce rework, improve process control, accelerate iteration, and streamline CNC programming.
Why attend:
- Learn how to evaluate total cost of ownership
- Explore practical onshoring strategies
- Understand how integrated CAD/CAM workflows improve agility
- See how Fusion supports modern manufacturing operations
From Sketch to Toolpath: Reducing Design-to-Manufacturing Time Using Connected Autodesk Workflows
Thursday, September 17 | 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM PDT
Organizations often lose time moving data between design systems and manufacturing tools.
This session demonstrates how AutoCAD, Inventor, and Fusion can be connected into a streamlined design-to-manufacturing workflow that supports cloud collaboration and data continuity.
Why attend:
- Learn how to transform 2D designs into manufacturing-ready models
- Connect design and CAM workflows
- Reduce errors caused by disconnected processes
- Accelerate production readiness
Small Business Roundtable: Design & Manufacturing
Wednesday, September 16 | 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM PDT
Hosted by Autodesk Vice President Jon den Hartog, this small-business roundtable offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with Autodesk leadership and other entrepreneurs, builders, and manufacturers.
With attendance limited to fewer than 50 participants, this in-person discussion is designed to be candid, collaborative, and highly interactive.
Why attend:
- Share feedback directly with Autodesk leadership
- Discuss real-world challenges with peers
- Learn from other small manufacturers and product developers
- Influence future product direction
Make the most of AU 2026
Whether your focus is product design, engineering, CNC machining, electronics, AI, collaboration, or digital transformation, Autodesk University 2026 offers a unique opportunity to learn directly from Autodesk experts, industry leaders, customers, and partners.
🔍 View AU 2026 session catalog – Browse the full catalog and start planning your personalized experience.
📅 View AU 2026 for small business – Explore dedicated learning paths and an expanded free digital pass.