Note: This article is written and published in Spanish and is a translated version of the original here.
Introduction
The concept of nearshoring is transforming industrial strategy at a global level. After decades in which relocation to distant markets was synonymous with cost reduction, today the reality is different: disruptions in supply chains, geopolitical tensions and the need to respond faster to demand have pushed many companies to rethink where and how they produce.
In this scenario, the adoption of advanced digital tools is more than a support: it is the engine that makes possible an efficient transition to nearby production models. Autodesk Fusion, by integrating artificial intelligence into its CAD, documentation, and CAM environments, has become a catalyst for this change, helping shops and manufacturers to design, program, and produce with greater agility, reducing times and errors, and responding to the challenges of nearshoring with real competitive advantage.
Evolution of the production model: from offshoring to nearshoring
For years, the prevailing strategy was producing far to save costs, offshoring, even if that meant longer lead times and less control. However, recent years have shown that this approach has limitations:
- Logistics risks: port delays, global transportation issues, increased shipping costs.
- Lack of flexibility: difficulty in adapting production to changing market demand.
- Environmental impact: higher carbon footprint from long supply chains.
- Demographic barriers:When working between distant countries, communication between different companies/departments can be affected both by schedules and different languages of the members/companies that are part of the project, which can affect quality control.
- Imposition of import duties that increase the final cost of the product:At present, the main countries are in the process of protecting their industry, as a result of which high taxes and fees are being established for products imported from foreign countries.
nearshoring proposes the opposite: manufacturing closer to the end consumer, prioritizing speed of response, customization and sustainability. To make this strategy viable, digitalization and AI play an essential role, eliminating inefficiencies and optimizing processes throughout the design and manufacturing flow.
Autodesk Fusion as a catalyst for change
Autodesk Fusion has established itself as an integrated ecosystem covering design, documentation, and manufacturing in a single platform. But what really drives nearshoring is the progressive incorporation of AI and its philosophy of collaborative cloud work in all its different available workspaces:
- AI-assisted CAD design: fewer iterations and faster time to get an idea to the final model with generative and automated design tools.
- Automated 2D documentation: clear, accurate plan generation, production-ready with no wasted time.
- CAM smart with CAMAssist and Autodesk Assistant: more efficient machining programming, automation of repetitive processes, and pattern learning that standardizes the shop floor.
Thanks to these capabilities, companies and workshops can produce faster, with greater control and ease, which allows them to ensure that the geographical proximity of nearshoring does not translate into an unsustainable increase in costs, but into more added value for the customer.
AI and nearshoring: a strategic combination
AI applied to CAD-CAM software and the management of the design and production flow provides key advantages for sustainable and profitable nearshoring:
- Reduction in time: by automating repetitive tasks, the possible higher labor costs in nearby markets are compensated.
- Fewer errors and more quality: standardization of processes and automatic verification of operations.
- Agility in market response: ability to adapt production to short or custom orders.
- Knowledge transfer: AI learns from each workshop, creating its own knowledge base that makes it easier for new employees to work.
- Sustainable competitiveness: closer production means less environmental impact and a better brand image.
Imagine a shop that previously relied on distant suppliers. Today, with Autodesk Fusion and AI tools, you can select nearby vendors who have the capability:
- Design custom parts faster.
- Generate production-ready technical documentation in minutes
- Program complex machining with the help of CAMAssist, reducing programming time from hours to minutes.
- Manufacture directly in your own facilities, close to your customers ensuring speed and reliability.
This scenario of close suppliers is not the future: it is already happening in multiple shops that have opted for software CAD-CAM-CAE state-of-the-art products, such as Autodesk Fusion, as part of their digital and business strategy. Achieving a great competitive advantage when it comes to being selected as suppliers in different projects of their clients which are geographically close.
Conclusions
Nearshoring is not simply a geographical movement, but a profound change in the way production is conceived. And without digitalization, this change would not be possible.
Autodesk Fusion integrating AI across its diverse environments and working collaboratively in the cloud is proving that producing closer to the market can be agile, profitable, and sustainable.
The key is not to replace human knowledge, but to enhance it: AI does not replace the programmer, engineer or designer, but amplifies their capabilities, freeing them from repetitive tasks and allowing them to focus on what really generates value.
In a world whereproximity becomes a competitive advantage, the combination ofnearshoring + AI + Fusion is already a strategy for the future... starting today.
For more information about everything that Autodesk Fusion can offer you visit the following link:
https://www.autodesk.com/es/products/fusion-360/overview
Note: This article is written and published in Spanish and is a translated version of the original here.
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