• Fusion

Introduction to Modeling and Design for Manufacturing

Create models that can withstand inevitable complexities throughout the design for manufacturing process.


Course overview

Explore mechanical assemblies from the bottom up. The design for manufacturing process helps you build robust designs that can withstand ongoing changes. Learn best practices that’ll keep control of your designs from sketch all the way to production.

After completing this course, you’ll be able to:

  • Create and drive a mechanical gear assembly.
  • Create and modify a form-based design.
  • Use design tools for molded parts.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the setup and creation of a design.

Course downloads

These downloadable resources will be used to complete modules in this course:

Course outline

10 min.

Getting started

Getting started

Discover what you'll learn in this course and download the software and resources you need. 


2 hr.

The basics of modeling

Understanding how to define and reuse sketch elements is a critical step in defining geometry that can be easily updated later to accomodate design changes.

Explore the control and creation of sketches, construction geometry, and conversion into solid bodies. Understanding how to define and reuse sketch elements is a critical step in defining geometry that can be easily updated later to accomodate design changes.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Demonstrate how to create sketches that can be updated easily.
  • Use symmetry and construction geometry in sketches to reduce control variables.
  • Create and modify solid bodies defined by parametric sketches.


3 hr.

The basics of assemblies

Learn about the creation, organization, and management of assemblies and components in Fusion. 

Learn about the creation, organization, and management of assemblies and components in Fusion. Replicate contacts and motion through the application of joints, motion links, and contacts and understand how best to begin a design for reuse while exploring the integration of off-the-shelf components and assembly management.  

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Demonstrate how to create bodies and components.
  • Use Joints to replicate mechanical motion.
  • Activate contact sets to explore physical part interaction.
  • Use assembly visualization tools to easily identify aspects of a design.


3 hr. 20 min.

Exploring design tools for production

Learn the tools used to produce production-ready molded parts.

Learn the tools used to produce production-ready molded parts. Rest assured that design requirements will be met for production with features like adding draft, creating ribs, or detailing threads.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Create a drafted part.
  • Use Hole to create a threaded hole.
  • Use Mirror for easy feature and design reuse.
  • Create a pattern of bodies and features.
  • Create a part with structural ribs.
  • Create surfaces to help with complex solid geometry.


2 hr. 40 min.

Creating complex designs with form tools

Explore the basics of form creation and manipulation as well as advanced control and creation of designs with forms.

Learn about form tools as an option when creating complex designs. Form tools allow for a different design approach than the traditional sketch and feature creation by allowing you to explore shapes while pushing and pulling vertices, faces, and edges.  Explore the basics of form creation and manipulation as well as advanced control and creation of designs with forms.

After completing this module, you'll be able to:

  • Create a primitive form body.
  • Use form tools to create a complex shape.
  • Convert a body to a form.


1 hr. 30 min.

Course challenge

Course challenge

Now that you've completed the learning material in this course, you can take the challenge exercise to measure your skills on the topics covered in this course. Follow the assignment directions below or download the PDF to follow along at your own pace.


45 min.

Final test

Final test

Ready to test your knowledge? Pass this required test with a score of 75% or more to complete the course and earn a certificate of completion.