Autodesk and GE Additive are working together to simplify metal additive manufacturing, agreeing to collaborate on an integrated workflow for GE Additive machines. Based on the Autodesk Fusion 360 platform, the workflow will connect all phases of additive manufacturing, from design and simulation to printing processes and machine analytics.

Using GE Additive software algorithms, interfaces, and specialized data models to offer predictive insights, the additive workflow will provide cost and timeline projections in the early stages of design. This will allow designers to make engineering and business decisions during design without having to physically produce parts, coupons or components. Leveraging a secure file transfer, final build data will also be sent back to Fusion 360, providing a complete history of the part to help inform decision making with past data.

This integration will also enable use of Autodesk generative design technology, available in Fusion 360, allowing designers or engineers to input design goals – along with parameters such as materials, manufacturing methods, and cost constraints – to explore all the viable permutations of a solution. The designs can then be validated, prepared, and sent for printing through the collaboration’s integrated services.

The agreement with GE Additive highlights the convergence of design and manufacturing, where traditional siloed applications in a disconnected workflow are replaced by an integrated offering to provide a seamless, elegant user experience that can be automated by new technologies such as generative design.

Lars Bruns, software leader at GE Additive, said, “Working with Autodesk will provide a powerful design-to-print environment for our customers, helping lower the barriers of additive adoption while accelerating a customer’s time to first good part.”

Greg Fallon, VP of Design & Manufacturing for Autodesk, states, “We share a common goal with GE Additive to help our customers bring better products to market faster. Smoother, more efficient workflows will enable designers and engineers to take full advantage of GE Additive’s machines and other advanced technologies such as generative design.”