Fusion 360 Generative Design

[Anonymous]

To whom it may concern,

I have been using Fusion 360 to generatively design a chassis by removing material.

I was wondering though, how do I know that this is a global minimum to my problem. As in, how much confidence can I have that this generative design is the best design?

To that end, how does the generative algorithm work? With slightly different inputs or boundary conditions I could end up with a significantly different design.

Many thanks

[blaster701]

Generative is YOU working with the computer as a partner.  You need to construct the question.  Loads?  Materials? How are you making it?  Where does it need to go?  Where can it not go?  I don't think there is one answer.  You are working with the Ai...as a team member.

[Anonymous]

Hi blaster701,

Thank you for your reply. 

I understand that there is a human element and how that can influence the solution that the computer returns. What I am currently lacking is a complete understanding of how Generative works. 

If I run Generative 10 times with the same loads and materials, will I get the same result 10 times? So, is there a random component like in a genetic algorithm?

How does Generative decide how much material to remove and where? Is there an element of optimisation or just a series of steps with constraints?

[blaster701]

Have you done a generative test yet?
Each result, for each combination or material and manufacturing method, there will be a range of solutions stating with a super conservative solution. Going all the way down to a super thin version (that meets the test goals). Each revision will tell you all kinds of details about the result.

[Anonymous]

We have run it already yes.

Alas, because it is a fairly constrained problem it will only return one solution.

Are you able to indicate whether the nature of the solver will return the same solution every time for the same input?

[blaster701]

 My gut says yes, but I would have to do a little research with that team (all variables would need to be exactly the same).  My role is teaching users, and run generative as a user.  Let me see.

[Anonymous]

If you could reach out to that team I would be very grateful.

Thank you.