Generative Design for Performance and Weight Reduction

Overview

There are many considerations and factors that play a part in designing a new product. Cost is usually a big one, but sometimes there are other factors that are the main contributors to a product's direction. With vehicles, specifically motorcycles, we see advanced engineering practices performed on seemingly minor parts. In some instances, making a part as light as possible can have a big effect on performance. In other cases, the strength or stiffness of a part, such as a motor mount, is more critical than its mass. Generative design allows us the ability to solve for both problems at the same time and make informed design decisions without the sacrifice. In this course, we’ll explore how generative design can be applied to motorcycle parts to help reduce mass while also increasing performance. You’ll need a paid subscription to Fusion 360 to complete the assignments in this course. Be sure to review your access or payment options before enrolling: https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360 Want to take your learning to the next level? Complete the Autodesk Generative Design for Manufacturing Specialization, and you’ll unlock an additional Autodesk Credential as further recognition of your success! The Autodesk Credential comes with a digital badge and certificate, which you can add to your resume and share on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Sharing your Autodesk Credential can signal to hiring managers that you’ve got the right skills for the job and you’re up on the latest industry trends like generative design. Enroll in the Specialization here: https://www.coursera.org/specializations/autodesk-generative-design-manufacturing Looking for Autodesk Fusion 360 certification prep courses? Check out additional learning resources to help you uplevel your skills: https://www.autodesk.com/learning

Syllabus

Identifying and Modeling Obstacle and Preserve Regions

In Week 1, we’ll cover the review of a complex assembly and the identification and modeling of any preserve and obstacle regions needed for the definition of a generative design study.

Setting up a Generative Design Study

In Week 2, we’ll talk about setting up an unrestricted generative design study for multiple materials to explore the swingarm of a motorcycle.

Review and Select an Outcome

In Week 3, we’ll focus on the tools used to explore and select a generative outcome. Selecting the right iteration of an outcome for production is a critical step in the process.

Post Process a File for Production

In Week 4, we’ll cover all the little details needed to get a design ready for production. Preserve regions are usually made up of simple geometry that need further modeling attention. Obstacles are usually cut from a generative outcome as a boundary fill operation in the timeline, but it isn’t always needed and doesn’t always produce ideal results. Taking care of the little details in the design will save time from having to manually modify parts after they have been prototyped.