George Roberts
Experience revolutionary GPU simulation with the new GPU-accelerated toolpath simulation in Fusion. Slash verification times from minutes to seconds for faster, safer manufacturing.
Elevate your design and manufacturing processes with Autodesk Fusion
In the world of computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), GPU simulation is transforming the landscape by drastically reducing the time required for toolpath simulation. Toolpath simulation is a crucial process that helps verify collision-free machining operations and prevents costly machine damage. However, traditional simulations using CPU power can be painfully slow, especially for complex, multi-axis machining programs.
The importance of toolpath simulation in CAM
Toolpath simulation involves detailed material removal simulation, collision detection, and collision inspection to accurately predict machining results and ensure process safety. These tasks are computationally intensive, often leading to long wait times when run on conventional CPUs. For example, simulating a complex part with numerous toolpaths can take over 20 minutes on a powerful CPU like Intel® i9-12950HX.
How GPU simulation accelerates toolpath verification
Introducing GPU-based simulation has revolutionized this process by leveraging the massive parallel processing power of modern graphics processing units (GPUs). Our new ‘Fast mode’ simulation feature, release of Fusion on Windows, uses GPUs to reduce simulation verification times from minutes to mere seconds.
- On an NVIDIA RTX A1000 Laptop GPU, verification of a complex program drops from 23 minutes to less than 15 seconds.
- With a high-end NVIDIA 4080 Super-Ti GPU, verification takes under 10 seconds and visualization happens in under a second.
This speed increase not only accelerates workflows but also enables engineers and machinists to iterate and optimize toolpaths more freely without lengthy delays.
Key benefits of GPU simulation for toolpath acceleration
- Speed: GPU acceleration cuts simulation times drastically, enabling manufacturing professionals to verify toolpaths faster and reduce production lead times.
- Efficiency: Fast simulations create opportunities for innovation. Engineers can test more complex cutting strategies and optimize machining processes while minimizing material waste.
- Scalability: The simulation performance scales with GPU hardware capabilities, meaning higher-end GPUs provide even greater efficiency gains.
The future of CAM with GPU simulation
Autodesk and the Fusion team are pushing GPU simulation to new heights, giving users access to powerful tools that combine speed, accuracy, and scalability. This integration of GPU acceleration is a turning point for digital manufacturing, enabling faster, safer, and more efficient toolpath planning and verification.