What is Generative Design?
Generative Design is a tool to create and optimize 3D cad models autonomously by the CAD software itself. Engineers only need to provide design input (design goals, mechanical & cost constraints, material information, strength requirements, manufacturing method, etc.)
Compared to conventional design, generative design automates the complete CAD Design process to create more optimized designs. It is one of the driving factors in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Due to technology limitations, generative design software has applications in 3D printing or low production volume parts. But this software is evolving with time. In the future, they may become capable enough to design parts for mass production as well.
Generative Design Software
Following generative design software are available in the market. Each of these software has its advantages and limitations.
How Generative Design Works?
Compared to conventional cad tools, Generative design software inputs are design goals and constraints. As an output, generative design software will provide you various design solutions according to a given input.
Engineers need to provide the following design goals, inputs, and constraints for the new part design.
- New part connections with other existing parts.
- Product size and weight constraints.
- Design interface requirements.
- Load conditions.
- Operating conditions.
- Cost constraints.
- Material information.
- Manufacturing method etc.
GD software explores all possible solutions and generates cad data for the given product according to a given input.
Generative design software does various iterations and learns from previous iterations to create design options. In this way, engineers can select the best available solution according to the requirements.
In this process, the simulation runs parallel to design. The software also learns from previous solutions and user input. Users can also specify the manufacturing method or add design constraints.
Advantages of Generative Design
The existing design process requires domain-specific knowledge to design products for manufacturing. A plastic product design engineer has limited experience in sheet metal product design.
Engineers use simulation tools to verify and validate new designs. Therefore the existing product design process is iterative and time-consuming.
Compared to conventional CAD software, generative design software has the following advantages.
1. Reduced Product Weight
Simulation during the part design can optimize the part weight and fulfill all product design requirements.
2. Improved Performance
Inbuild simulation software helps in the identification and elimination of weak design areas. The software learns from its own experience. As a result, product design improves and optimizes with every iteration.
3. Part Consolidation
Generative Design can reduce product manufacturing and maintenance costs by integrating multiple parts into one part.
4. Reduced Product Time to Market
GD tools can automate the CAD design process. It results in solving complex design problems quickly compared to traditional approaches. As a result, products are launched faster in the market.
5. Provide Various Design Options
Generative-Design software gives the user various design options for a given product. As a result, engineers have many design options to choose from that fullfills product design requirements.
Generative Design Applications
Similar to cad design, generative design has applications in the aerospace, architecture, and construction industry. But currently, this technology is used only to design parts manufactured using 3D printing technology.
Following are the application examples where product designers did new product design using generative design software.
French designer Patrick Jouin revealed a prototype of the TAMU chair, during Milan design week. The prototype features a foldable design and uses less material as possible. Solidwork was used to create the TAMU chair design. Click This Link for more details on the TAMU chair design by Patric Jouin.
Airbus in collaboration with Autodesk fusion 360 GD created an airplane cabin compartment. In this, they designed a bionic pattern to separate the passenger cabin from the gallery. It helped in reducing overall part weight (approx. 45%).
In the aviation industry, weight reduction means a reduction in fuel costs. As a result, the airbus team saved a lot of fuel costs with this design. Read this article for more details on airbus cabin compartment design in collaboration with Autodesk.
The general motor used the Autodesk fusion 360 G.D. approach to reduce seat belt bracket weight and improve strength. The previous design used 8 parts welded together.
It helped general motors in consolidating eight parts in one part with reduced weight and better performance. Read this article for more details on general motor GD.
Generative Design vs Topology Improvement
Generative design software helps in creating a new part design from scratch. Engineers only need to provide design goals and constraints as input, Whereas the Topology improvement feature improves the existing designs according to simulation results.
Fusion 360 has a generative design feature because it takes design input and gives various design options cad models as output.
Solidworks has a topology improvement feature. It improves existing designs according to simulation results. For SolidWorks, input is a cad model.
To sum up, Generative Design is changing the way engineers design products. It helps in creating low-cost, low-weight highly optimized products. The advancement and affordability of cloud computing and machine learning technology have made this technology more affordable. We suggest you read this article on what CAD is? its advantages and limitations.
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Limitations of GENERATIVE DESIGN!?
Main limitation of generative design is : it is in initial phase of development only. It will improve with time. Companies are using generative design to make 3D printing part. It is not upto a level where it can design parts full filling design guidelines