Generative design mindset

00:02

Generative Design mindset.

00:05

In this video, we will explain the Generative Design mindset.

00:10

One of the biggest problems facing users making the transition to a generative workflow is understanding the shift in mindset.

00:18

Looking at this example, we have a component that needs to be mounted to a wall.

00:22

Most users can come up with an idea right away and begin modelling.

00:25

Our history in design and engineering drives what the end result looks like.

00:29

We understand how we need to manufacture the part and what resources we have available,

00:34

and what works and what doesn't work from our own history in design.

00:38

While making the shift to Generative Design, We need to think less about design and more about constraints.

00:44

One of the key concepts to making the most of Generative Design is understanding the negative regions of your design.

00:50

Things like bolt head clearances, tool access and movements of mechanical parts.

00:54

We take these into account on traditional designs but only because we're working one feature at a time.

01:00

But Generative Design, we need to build all that information in from the start.

01:04

Some of the key items that are needed in a generative workflow preserve regions which are the areas that we're going to keep in a design.

01:11

These are things like mounting bosses and keep in mind that these should be simplified as details such as threads can be added later.

01:18

Obstacle regions will dictate areas that are off limits for a build.

01:22

These include clearance for bolts, heads and sockets to access those bolts.

01:27

Constraints and loads, which can include multiple load cases to cover the entire use case of a design.

01:34

Materials, which can involve up to seven material choices that will be generated at the same time,

01:39

giving you the ability to see how material choice will affect the overall design,

01:45

Goals such as minimizing mass or maximizing stiffness and manufacturing methods.

01:52

This is an area that people often overlook because most of these images floating around are of organic looking designs.

01:59

But you get to describe how you want the part to be made.

02:02

You can use 3- or 5-axis machining, additive or unrestrictive.

02:07

There are also other options that you can choose such as casting or 2-axis cutting.

02:13

And you can choose any of these options letting Fusion 360 know all the parameters it has to work with.

02:19

Once all the information is built into a study, you’re ready to generate outcomes.

02:24

The amount of time this takes varies on the complexity of your design, the load conditions, material choices and manufacturing methods,

02:31

as well as the current bandwidth of the services used to calculate those results.

02:36

So as you begin learning about Generative Design, you need to shift your mindset to make use of these new tools.

Video transcript

00:02

Generative Design mindset.

00:05

In this video, we will explain the Generative Design mindset.

00:10

One of the biggest problems facing users making the transition to a generative workflow is understanding the shift in mindset.

00:18

Looking at this example, we have a component that needs to be mounted to a wall.

00:22

Most users can come up with an idea right away and begin modelling.

00:25

Our history in design and engineering drives what the end result looks like.

00:29

We understand how we need to manufacture the part and what resources we have available,

00:34

and what works and what doesn't work from our own history in design.

00:38

While making the shift to Generative Design, We need to think less about design and more about constraints.

00:44

One of the key concepts to making the most of Generative Design is understanding the negative regions of your design.

00:50

Things like bolt head clearances, tool access and movements of mechanical parts.

00:54

We take these into account on traditional designs but only because we're working one feature at a time.

01:00

But Generative Design, we need to build all that information in from the start.

01:04

Some of the key items that are needed in a generative workflow preserve regions which are the areas that we're going to keep in a design.

01:11

These are things like mounting bosses and keep in mind that these should be simplified as details such as threads can be added later.

01:18

Obstacle regions will dictate areas that are off limits for a build.

01:22

These include clearance for bolts, heads and sockets to access those bolts.

01:27

Constraints and loads, which can include multiple load cases to cover the entire use case of a design.

01:34

Materials, which can involve up to seven material choices that will be generated at the same time,

01:39

giving you the ability to see how material choice will affect the overall design,

01:45

Goals such as minimizing mass or maximizing stiffness and manufacturing methods.

01:52

This is an area that people often overlook because most of these images floating around are of organic looking designs.

01:59

But you get to describe how you want the part to be made.

02:02

You can use 3- or 5-axis machining, additive or unrestrictive.

02:07

There are also other options that you can choose such as casting or 2-axis cutting.

02:13

And you can choose any of these options letting Fusion 360 know all the parameters it has to work with.

02:19

Once all the information is built into a study, you’re ready to generate outcomes.

02:24

The amount of time this takes varies on the complexity of your design, the load conditions, material choices and manufacturing methods,

02:31

as well as the current bandwidth of the services used to calculate those results.

02:36

So as you begin learning about Generative Design, you need to shift your mindset to make use of these new tools.

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