AUTODESK FUSION FOR AUTOMOTIVE PART MANUFACTURING

Automotive part manufacturing software

Supercharge the automotive part design and manufacturing process with Autodesk Fusion, an all-in-one CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB tool. Design, test, and manufacture reliable parts in less time and at a fraction of the cost.

What is automotive part manufacturing?

Automotive part manufacturing is the process of designing, fabricating, and machining parts for a wide range of vehicles. This spans from trucks and SUVs to Formula 1 racing cars and buses. Automotive engineers who work for prominent, aftermarket, and start-up companies are typically the profession carrying out this process.

Automotive engineers take an initial conceptual vehicle, conceived by automotive designers, and determine the methods to design and manufacture every part needed to bring it to life. The engineering teams are tasked with the design, prototyping, testing, and production of each part before the assembly of the final vehicle.

Autodesk customer,BBi Autosport using Autodesk Fusion for automotive part design

What is automotive part design software?

The automotive industry moves fast, especially start-up and aftermarket automotive companies which must react quickly to evolving industry standards and consumer demand. Automotive engineers need a tool that helps them create each part efficiently without sacrificing quality. Automotive part design and manufacturing software enables engineers to 3D model, validate, and fabricate any type of part, from chassis to engines.

The benefits of automotive part manufacturing software

Enhanced design efficiency

An integrated platform for 3D modeling, simulation, manufacturing, and collaboration streamlines the design process, reduces production costs, and accelerates time-to-market.

 

 

Seamless collaboration

The automotive part design process often involves multiple teams. Tools like real-time updates, link sharing, and automated drawings enable you to easily collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

 

 

Improved part performance

Designing quickly does not mean sacrificing quality. Streamlining the design process in one tool gives increased control over each design, leading to more reliable products.

 

 

Factors to consider when choosing automotive part software

Functionality

Automotive parts must be designed and manufactured to perform its intended function, both reliablity and efficiently.

 

Material

Automotive part materials must be considered to ensure performance, weight, and cost.

 

Manufacturing process

Automotive part design must take into account if the manufacturing processes needed are acheiveable.

 

Tolerance and fit

Make sure parts fit together precisely, ensuring the proper tolerances of your manufacturing processes when design and manufacturing parts.

 

Cost

Aim to minimize cost by simplifying the design, reducing material usage, or optimizing the manufacturing process without compromising quality.

 

Compliance

Ensure parts comply with regulations and standards around safety, emissions, and recyclability.

 

Durability

Parts should be designed and manufactured to withstand the rigor of expected usage and be as maintenance-free as possible.

 

Sustainability

Consider the sustainability of the part, including the materials used to manufacture it to the impact it will have over its life cycle.

 

What parts can you design with automotive part design software?

Automotive part manufacturing software enables you to create any vehicle part you desire, including but not limited to:

chassis

Chassis

It's vital to engineer a reliable chassis design, as it's the foundation of any vehicle. Each chassis is designed differently depending on vehicle requirements.

exhaust pipe

Exhaust Pipe

When designing an exhaust pipe, it's important to test different materials and designs, predict potential issues, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

brakepad

Brake Pads

Brake performance and longetivity is top priority. Automotive part design software helps to ensure accurate modeling, material selection, and performance.

engine

Engine

The engine is the heart of any automotive vehicle. Designing a successful engine presents many complex challenges, as engineers need to achieve optimal performance, fuel efficiency, durability, and reliability.

BBi using Autodesk Fusion for automotive part design

Why Autodesk Fusion for manufacturing automotive parts?

Autodesk Fusion is unique in that it offers an all-in-one platform for 3D modeling, simulation, CAM, and collaboration. This means you can design, test, and manufacture automotive parts all within a single software, streamlining your workflow and increasing efficiency.

Whether you're a small business or a large enterprise, Fusion enables your team to create complex and detailed automotive parts. It's a scalable solution that grows with your business, offering more advanced features as you need them. Fusion also has an active community on its user forums and offers an array of learning content and direct support options.

Autodesk Fusion tools for automotive part design and manufacturing
3d modeling in Autodesk Fusion

Comprehensive 3D modeling

3D modeling with Autodesk Fusion enables you to bring parts from 2D to 3D, preparing them for manufacture. Fusion offers various tools for creating, modifying, and refining 3D models, from free-form modeling and surface modeling to parametric design and direct modeling.

 

Also, configurations make it possible to create multiple variations of the same design. This opens the door to more possibilities like easily designing a full product range using the same base 3D model or even iterating on a digital prototype without losing the original version.

Simulation in Autodesk Fusion

Simulation & fluid dynamics

Autodesk Fusion's simulation tools enable designers to validate their designs under real-world conditions. The opportunity to test designs ahead of physical prototyping or manufacturing enables engineers to identify potential design flaws without lwasting time or budget.

 

The Fusion Simulation Extension includes fluid dynamics tools that help simulate fluid flow, heat transfer, and other related phenomena inside or around a part. This is crucial in the automotive engineering field, especially when designing hydraulics, as fluid behavior significantly impacts part performance.

Machining a part with Atuodesk Fusion

Integrated CAM tools

Autodesk Fusion's integrated CAD/CAM tools enable you to transition seamlessly from design to manufacturing within the same platform, eliminating the need for file transfers and reducing the risk of errors.

 

It offers a wide range of CAM functionalities, including 2.5-, 3-, 4-, and 5-axis milling, turning, and water jet, laser, and plasma cutting, enabling you to handle diverse automotive part manufacturing tasks with precision. 

Automotive part design collaboration

Streamlined collaboration & data management

With Autodesk Fusion's cloud-based platform, teams can collaborate on designs in real time from any location. It tracks all version histories, making it simple to access past iterations or undo changes when needed.

 

Fusion also allows for the secure sharing of designs with collaborators like internal stakeholders and clients, making it easy to get feedback while still maintaining control over project access. It also enables collaborators to leave comments directly on 3D models to streamline communication. Also, tools like an integrated bill of materials (BOM) simplify the process of tracking important project data.

Featured automotive part manufacturing software

Autodesk Fusion

Cloud-based 3D CAD/CAM/CAE software for product design

Product details
Fusion Simulation Extension

Optimize part design and performance with unlimited cloud solves for generative design, FEA, electronic cooling, injection molding, and more.

Product details
Autodesk Fusion for Manufacturing

Expand your advanced manufacturing capabilities.

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Discover how to use Autodesk Fusion for manufacturing automotive parts

BBi Autosport

BBi Autosport

The BBi Autosport team adopted Autodesk Fusion because it needed a CAD/CAM solution that would allow them to develop products concurrently and outside the boundaries of traditional 3D modeling software. See how BBi used Fusion to design and build the impressive Hoonipigasus.

 

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Rivian

Rivian

You can’t miss a Rivian truck or SUV on the road. There simply isn’t anything like them. Take an inside look at how the rapid prototyping group within Rivian’s Special Projects team uses Fusion to make fast and reliable prototypes — from 3D modeling to advanced manufacturing with the Manufacturing Extension.

 

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Stanceworks

Stanceworks

Mike Burroughs is the editor-in-chief of Stanceworks, an online journal featuring modified cars focused on stance culture. He's also an accomplished car builder who documents exciting car builds on YouTube. Watch Mike talk about all things car design, including the future of car customization on the Shop Talk Podcast.

 

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ICON

ICON

ICON designs and produces some of the most creative vehicles in the world. Each ICON vehicle is built with a mixture of vintage parts and modern, bespoke parts designed in-house. See how the unique automotive business uses Autodesk Fusion to bring the “heart and soul” of vintage vehicles while still meeting modern expectations.

 

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Fusion resources for automotive part design

Get started with CAE with these informational blog posts.

Explore how the aftermarket automotive industry fits into the larger automotive industry landscape and what makes aftermarket automotive part design unique.

 

How do companies come out on top in the fast-paced aftermarket automotive industry? Cloud-based product development tools like Autodesk Fusion.

 

Explore the world of Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), highlighting its crucial role in modern product development.

 

Get started with Autodesk Fusion for automotive part manufacturing

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about automotive manufacturing

What key features should I look for when selecting automotive part design software?

3D modeling, simulation and analysis, manufacturing, and data management are all beneficial tools to look for when selecting automotive part design software. Autodesk Fusion is unique as it integrates CAD, CAM, and CAE tools in one cloud-based platform, allowing for a seamless workflow from design to fabrication.

Does Autodesk Fusion easily integrate with other design and manufacturing tools?

Yes! It's typical for automotive engineers to use multiple programs when designing a full car or even a part. Autodesk Fusion has a vast partner network with many add-ins that make it easy to use Fusion alongside your favorite CNC machines, 3D printers, laser cutters, or even your go-to third-party fabrication companies like Xometry or SendCutSend. Also, Fusion also offers a simple file import process, making uploading scan data or files from other 3D modeling tools straightforward.

I work with contractors and external manufacturers. How can I collaborate with them in Fusion?

With Fusion, you can easily share project links with external collaborators so that they can view progress and provide feedback. If your collaborators also use Fusion, you can work on the same design together in real-time. If you're working with external manufacturers to produce your part, the Drawings workspace in Fusion can automatically generate accurate technical drawings based on your 3D models. This simplifies the tedious task of creating drawings from scratch and streamlines communications with factories.

What is automotive part manufacturing?

Automotive part manufacturing is a sector within the larger automotive industry that focuses on the production of components used in the assembly of vehicles. This includes a wide range of parts such as engines, body parts, interiors, electrical and electronic equipment, and more.

 

Manufacturers in this sector use a variety of processes to produce these parts, including casting, forging, machining, and injection molding among others. The manufacturing process often involves the use of automated machinery and assembly lines to achieve high volume production.

Is Autodesk Fusion an automotive part software?

Yes, Autodesk Fusion is a popular software used in automotive part design. Fusion offers tools and techniques for importing and preparing geometry for simulation, including generative design. It's a comprehensive platform for 3D modeling, CAD, CAM, CAE, and PCB, which helps in designing and engineering automotive parts to ensure their aesthetics, form, fit, and function.

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