topic Re: Wood for Generative Design in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

samgaddis — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 16:52:43 GMT

Hello, I do a lot of work with a large format CNC router using 3/4" plywood as the primary material. Generative design seems very interesting to me (albeit fairly intimidating), but I'm curious if it's even relevant to flat stock as opposed to 3d printed objects.

There are a number of scenarios where I'd like to minimize weight by cutting out holes in a panel, while still maximizing strength.

Is this doable or not really?

Re: Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

MikeSmell_ADSK — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:25:26 GMT

Hi @samgaddis -

In the current form of Generative Design in Fusion 360, you would have to be pretty prescriptive to define a design space (obstacles and preserves) in a way to build a near constant thickness part. That said, we are actively working on technology to solve the exact problem you are describing. Can you tell me a bit more about the problems you are trying to solve, and what you know about the performance requirements. This will help me better understand how our current work might be able to address your request.

Thanks,

Mike Smell - Product Manager, Fusion 360 - Generative Design and Simulation

Re: Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 17:41:06 GMT

I would use topology optimization in this case.

Re: Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

samgaddis — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:48:20 GMT

Sorry for the delay - thought I had responded! The best example of a problem I'm trying to solve would be the robot spider chair I describe here: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/design-challenge-how-to-drive-two-legs-on-a-single-axle/td-p/8611299

We'll be doing a number of things to decrease the weight, but would of course love to maintain strength. What do you think of @Anonymous's suggestion for topology optimization? I hadn't heard of that but it certainly looks relevant. What would be the difference between this approach and a new version of generative design that accommodates flat stock?

Re: Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

samgaddis — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 18:38:16 GMT

@MikeSmell_ADSK so I followed @Anonymous 's recommendation for topology optimization only to discover that Fusion doesn't handle orthotropic materials like wood. Am I understanding correctly that a plywood analysis isn't possible?

Also, I would imagine that plywood, given its perpendicular layered construction, is less orthotropic than most other wood materials. So perhaps it would be reasonable to fake it and use plywood structural characteristics on a custom "plastic" material in Fusion?

Re: Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

MikeSmell_ADSK — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:29:13 GMT

@samgaddis

You are right, orthotropic materials are not supported in Fusion 360 today. The intuition to create a custom material is reasonable, as long you are estimating the properties in a conservative manner. We have users do this in various other scenarios. One thing to point out, is that our Shape Optimization solution is only looking at reducing to a mass target while maximizing stiffness. This is leaving you guessing a bit on which mass target might make the most sense. I still think Generative Design could be an interesting fit here based on some of the new technology we are working on. If you are interested, please contact me directly at michael.smell@autodesk.com and we can setup a time to discuss the specifics of your project in more details.

Thanks,

Mike Smell - Product Manager, Fusion 360 Generative Design

Re: Generative design relevant for flat stock (plywood / CNC router) work?

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 16:02:46 GMT

@MikeSmell_ADSK , do you have an idea when the new Generstove features will be released? Those definitely look like a game changer.

Re: Wood for Generative Design

Anonymous — Tue, 19 May 2020 20:02:03 GMT

Hi,

Can wood be used in Generative Design