Autodesk, a software company based in San Rafael, California, is creating new ways to shape our world. Autodesk's technology spans architecture, engineering, product design, manufacturing, and media and entertainment to help innovators around the world tackle challenges large and small. From greener buildings to smarter products to compelling blockbusters, Autodesk's software is designed to help create a better world for all. At HANNOVER MESSE 2023, the Californians will be represented with several examples of their possibilities.

First the idea - then the research project

The Autodesk exhibit "GE Clean Sky", for example, is intended to show how the environmental impact of aviation can be reduced using Autodesk Fusion 360, additive manufacturing and generative design. GE Clean Sky was originally created as part of the joint research project MonACO, in which Autodesk, General Electric, the Technical University of Dresden and the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg joined forces to develop more energy-efficient next-generation aircraft engines.

Optimised turbine component through additive manufacturing

With the help of Autodesk Fusion 360, a 3D printed turbine center frame of a large metal aircraft engine was developed from what used to be more than 100 individual parts. In addition to experimenting with different materials and production methods, complex geometries were designed using Autodesk Volumentric Kernel, which significantly improved the aeronomy of the component. At one metre in diameter, the resulting component is one of the largest engine components ever and features a weight reduction of more than 30 per cent compared to the original casing. This represents a significant advance in reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions in the aviation industry.

Reinventing autonomous mobility with generative design

Using the "PIX Moving Space" exhibit, Autodesk will further demonstrate how AI-powered generative design, together with robotics and 3D metal printing, can create a decentralised way of manufacturing automobiles. The use of digital manufacturing technologies helps developers optimise chassis designs to meet individual customer requirements, different shapes or special physical requirements in an affordable way. In conjunction with Autodesk's Fusion 360, PIX Moving is thus able to produce an almost unlimited variety of customised platforms and vehicles within a much shorter lead time, while saving 90 per cent on vehicle parts.

Additive manufacturing of metal components also for SMEs

Also using Autodesk Fusion 360 in conjunction with Netfabb, German startup One Click Metal develops and produces compact and affordable metal 3D printers. With these, the Swabians want to make the normally very cost-intensive additive manufacturing of metal components accessible to small and medium-sized enterprises. As additive manufacturing, design and simulation software, Autodesk Netfabb was used to build the printer's sophisticated drive component, which is responsible for opening and closing the powder cartridges. Fusion 360 with Netfabb was instrumental in optimising the complicated process. In addition, 3D design files created in Autodesk Netfabb can be fed into the 3D printer and printed.

An example of such a successful 3D print is the Autodesk exhibit "OCM Driver and Drone". The drone was developed in conjunction with Autodesk's generative design department in such a way that a large number of components could be integrated into a single, highly complex frame shape. Fusion 360 helped optimise the design variations while keeping costs low.

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