Autodesk Fusion 360

Optimize designs and lower costs with Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

Bridge the gap between design and manufacturing by fostering a collaborative approach that leads to more efficient, cost-effective, and higher-quality products.

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Design beautifully and manufacture efficiently (video: 1:49 min)

Design beautifully and manufacture efficiently

Incorporating DFM principles into the design process reduces errors, production time, and costs. Autodesk Fusion 360 allows engineers to consider manufacturing processes, materials, and constraints during the design phase to ensure that the final product can be produced efficiently, cost-effectively, and with high quality.

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Transform workflows by connecting design and manufacturing

Reduce product and production defects

Utilize product design insights, simulation, and visualization tools to minimize rework and troubleshoot product defects early in the design process.

Collaborate with ease

Involve entire teams, individual stakeholders, and project vendors when you need to get meaningful feedback on design decisions.

Deliver products timely and sustainably

Apply key DFM insights to help reduce material waste, consolidate the number of assembly parts, and get production cost estimates.

"The simulation extension has helped us test structural loads to ensure compliance, as well as design for manufacturability for injection-molded products."

- Tyler Berryman, Product Design Engineer, Brash Inc.

Fusion 360 has everything you need to design for manufacture

Simplified Collaboration

Seamlessly collaborate with cloud-based data ensuring teams work on the same data. Web browser access grants entry for extended teams and captures design conversations.

Integrated CAD/CAM

Move seamlessly between design and manufacturing workspaces to optimize designs for ease of manufacturing and improve the utilization of resources.

Extensive Simulations

Fusion 360's simulation environment tests your design under real-world conditions prior to production, minimizing the risk of manufacturing failures or design flaws.

3D Parametric Modeling

Our parametric design capabilities allow for swift, efficient design changes, with an automatic design history update that accommodates manufacturing needs.

Generative Design

Leverage AI to generate various design solutions based on set parameters, choosing the one that’s most cost-effective and easy to manufacture.

Unified PCB design

Quickly design circuits, visualize your electronic product's 3D model aspects, and test how the PCB fits within the design assembly with ECAD and MCAD integration.

Data Management

Track different versions and manage all design data in one place. Maintaining design integrity and avoiding confusion during manufacturing.

Sustainability and DFMA

Optimize material utilization and simplify the design of a products to improve ease of manufacturing and efficiency of assembly.

Driving sustainable outcomes in design and manufacturing

Is your organization considering a move toward more sustainable outcomes? Or perhaps you want to persuade them to do so? This e-book explores various aspects of such an undertaking and examines a wide range of approaches.

Access the e-book

Plans and pricing for every business

Flexible purchasing options to meet your current and future needs.

All plans and pricing

THE ESSENTIALS

Fusion 360

Go from design to manufacturing faster with the only all-in-one cloud CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB product development platform.

/year

EXPAND YOUR CAPABILITIES

Fusion 360 Product Design Extension

Automate and simplify the design of features natively aware of the manufacturing process.

/year

Try for free

EXPAND YOUR CAPABILITIES

Fusion 360 Simulation Extension

Predict part quality and performance using a wide selection of Finite Element Analysis (FEA) capabilities.

/year

Try for free

EXPAND YOUR CAPABILITIES

Fusion 360 Signal Integrity Extension

Improve the signal reliability of smart products with PCB electromagnetic analysis.

/year

Try for free

KEY FEATURES

Fusion 360

A subscription to Fusion 360 includes:

CAM

2D and 2.5D machining
3-axis machining
Multi-axis positional
Turning
Turn-mill
Workpiece coordinate probing
Toolpath simulation
Machine animation

Additive (plastics)

Create toolpaths for fused filament fabrication
Associative programming
Part orientation
Library of 3D print hardware, including Ultimaker, EOS, and Renishaw
Manual part orientation
Standard and customized print parameters
Infill patterns for hollow parts
Toolpath and build simulation
NC code export

CAD

Sketching
Direct modeling
Surface modeling
Parametric modeling
Mesh modeling
Freeform modeling
Rendering
PCB design integration
Sheet metal design
Assembly modeling

Simulation

Static stress
Modal frequency
Thermal and thermal stress
Buckling
Non-linear stress

Data management and collaboration

User management
Administrative tools
File export
Version control
Cloud storage
AnyCAD 3rd party file open
Public/private sharing
Commenting and markups

KEY FEATURES

Fusion 360 Product Design Extension

All features in Fusion 360 plus:

Product design

Plastic rules based on material choice
Plastic design tools (boss, snap-fit, draft angle, and ribs/web creation)
Customizable presets for common values
Geometric patterning to customize size and distribution gradients
Organic mesh conversion (solid, surface, or T-spline bodies)
Volumetric latticing (solid or closed mesh)
Design advice

KEY FEATURES

Fusion 360 Simulation Extension

All features in Fusion 360 plus:

Simulation

Plastic injection molding simulation
Non-linear static stress
Electronics cooling
Quasi-static event simulation
Dynamic event simulation
Modal frequencies
Shape optimization
Structural buckling
Thermal (steady state)
Thermal stress

KEY FEATURES

Fusion 360 Signal Integrity Extension

All features in Fusion 360 plus:

Signal Integrity

Simple input parameters and configuration
PCB Impedance matching
Predict signal delays, trace length, impedance, and coupling
Visual violation flagging with color-coded overlay on your 2D PCB design

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

What is Design for manufacturing or Design for manufacturability?

Design for manufacturing, also referred to as design for manufacturability or DFM, is the process of incorporating restrictions that may be present from intended manufacturing methods into the product/part models during the initial design stages. This helps reduce the need for rework when a product is ready to be manufactured.

An example of applying DFM is when designing a part of which the intent is to manufacture using injection molding. Design restrictions such as undercuts, parting lines, and mold cavity filling need to be considered prior to a mold being built. If these are not addressed prior to mold building, the potential is high for issues like parts stuck in the mold cavity, poor part quality, and very expensive tooling.

How does Fusion 360 aid with Design for Manufacturing (DFM)?

Fusion 360 and its extensions offer integrated CAD/CAM/CAE, parametric modeling, design simulation, generative design, and toolpath generation, making it an efficient tool for DFM. Using one or a combination of its features, allows engineers to design parts smartly, reducing post-process rework that can result in longer time to market and more money spent.

Can Fusion 360 create toolpaths and machine programs for various manufacturing processes?

Fusion 360 can generate toolpaths for different manufacturing processes and create machine programs for CNC machines, ensuring a smooth transition from design to manufacturing. The Fusion 360 Machining Extension adds additional tooling methods for more advanced machines.

What is the role of generative design in DFM in Fusion 360?

Generative design uses AI to create various design solutions based on set parameters, helping to choose a cost-effective and manufacturable design. When looking to optimize your part for manufacturability, generative design with Fusion 360 can include your manufacturing method of choice into its outcomes. As a result, it will produce outcomes that account for manufacturing method-specific restrictions in the CAD geometry, allowing potential for a quicker design-to-production workflow for the user.

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