Discover how Autodesk and Microsoft are revolutionizing everyday design and review workflows in Fusion by leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to transform their customers' workflows. Autodesk has become a frontier firm by adopting this innovative, best-in-class AI technology, setting new standards in the industry. Stephen Hooper, VP of Design & Manufacturing Product Development at Autodesk, and Kathleen Mitford, Corporate Vice President, Global Industry Product Marketing at Microsoft, will share how their teams are: - Automating time-consuming design tasks to reduce manual effort, allowing teams to focus on higher-value work. - Simplifying product reviews to speed up collaboration and approvals. - Enabling teams to tell stronger stories through clearer, more compelling outputs. This interactive session also provides attendees the opportunity to ask Stephen and Kathleen questions about their pioneering partnership and the AI-enabled solutions they’re bringing to market.

This session will showcase a new workflow of creating a factory layout in Autodesk Factory Design Utilities software and using FlexSim to validate the throughput of the layout, identify potential bottlenecks, and balance resource use. We will also discuss the product roadmap for Factory Design Utilities and FlexSim, as well as the vision for Autodesk Fusion digital factory. Learn how Autodesk is paving the way to connected data and seamless workflows in the Autodesk Fusion industry cloud, as well as enabling factory designers and industrial engineers to validate factory layout designs.

Join us for an in-depth exploration of the latest advancements and future directions in Fusion 360 at Autodesk University. This session, "Fusion Roadmap: Design, Engineering, & Manufacturing," will guide you through the innovative features and upcoming enhancements that are transforming the way we approach design, engineering, and manufacturing.

Learn how generative AI can revolutionize product engineering and lifecycle management. This session will focus on key challenges in the manufacturing product lifecycle, such as the reliance on 2D drawings and PDFs, the time-consuming nature of model creation and analysis, and the complexity of assembly modeling. With a focus on practical applications, we'll discuss how generative AI can address these challenges by transforming engineering workflows and enhancing efficiency. And we'll look at the impact that generative AI (powered on Amazon Bedrock) has on the manufacturing lifecycle. We'll explore Autodesk Fusion 360 software, and we'll showcase the potential of integrating a chatbot or plug-in within Fusion 360 that can assist designers in rapidly building models and accelerating the design process.

Ray Horner, Atkore's director of industry and international affairs, will elaborate on Atkore's journey toward implementing Autodesk Fusion Manage and Vault software in tandem.

Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion that dives into the pivotal role of discrete event simulation in modern factory design. Our expert panelists will explore how this technology is transforming the way organizations visualize, analyze, and optimize their production processes. Simulation offers invaluable insights by modeling complex factory operations, allowing users to identify potential bottlenecks, balance resource use, and discover opportunities for increased efficiency and productivity. Our speakers will share their valuable experiences in using tools like FlexSim, revealing how simulation can be used to validate factory layout designs and throughput, its potential in creating digital twins of production environments, and the future of factory design. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the transformative potential of discrete event simulation in factory design.

If you joined us at last year's AU and attended "A Factory Design Utilities Discussion with Peers on a Successful Deployment," you know the group discussed best practices and what to avoid when implementing Factory Design Utilities software. The information we discussed helped people who'd already implemented it by validating the experiences of others, and helped the people who were planning on implementing it soon. In this session, we'll pick up where last year's ended and focus on best practices for maintaining a successful deployment. We'll especially focus on using simplification workflows to keep file sizes smaller, managing simplified models, and understanding how to update the simplified models automatically when changes happen to the main file. After this session, you'll be able to integrate smaller models into your designs and keep them updated as changes occur.

This session will feature an enlightening journey through Spirax-Sarco's remarkable global business transformation. This multinational industrial engineering group, serving customers in 165 countries, has harnessed the power of product lifecycle management (PLM) to improve business operations—from data and process management to global supply chain collaboration. Hear firsthand accounts about how PLM has become an integral part of the firm's business ecosystem, supporting around 1,200 users of manufacturing data worldwide. The products Spirax-Sarco engineers and manufactures are integral to various industries like food and beverage, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, power generation, and health care. Discover how, through PLM, Spirax-Sarco has unified data and processes, improved visibility and reporting, and enhanced traceability. Learn what strategies the firm's using to bolster efficiency and reduce the global cost of quality. Get inspired by Spirax-Sarco's journey and the valuable lessons learned. This session is part of the PLM Summit, a dedicated learning pathway and networking experience on Tuesday, October 15. To see all related sessions select the "PLM Summit" track filter. To request attendance at the private luncheon and reception, please email plmsummitau@autodesk.com.

This abstract outlines the development of an MSC add-in for Autodesk's Fusion 360, aimed at elevating productivity and efficiency for metalworking manufacturers by integrating advanced digital solutions that embody Industry 4.0 innovations while embracing Industry 5.0's focus on human centricity, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. The platform features advanced simulation and predictive machining tools for optimal tool selection and process parameters, using MSC's proprietary data to enhance operational forecasts. It seamlessly integrates with Fusion 360 for streamlined process planning and analysis, creating a unified manufacturing experience. Additionally, the add-in offers robust data analytics to generate actionable insights, improving productivity, tool performance, and operational efficiency. This initiative represents a transformative approach to manufacturing, combining technological advancements with a commitment to sustainable, people-focused processes.

In this session, we'll present a study showing the process for implementing Vault Professional software with Autodesk Fusion Manage software with bidirectional integration. See what went well, and what didn't go well and why. Discover what lessons we learned. Explore how much can be implemented at one time for users to absorb, understand, and gain ROI from.

Autodesk Fusion Manage software is evolving in many ways. We're ready to transition all our customers to modern UI. Search, which is the bedrock of product lifecycle management (PLM), is more powerful and also supports classification. Performance and scalability improvements that have gone into the product are sure to brighten your day and free up at least a couple of your minutes. Keep better track of your supply chains and enhance real-time collaboration with your suppliers. Learn how you can make better use of Fusion Manage to enhance collaboration and productivity of your teams.

We annually enhance the Vault product with new features. This session is designed to unveil these features and explore their applications. Following the introduction to the latest additions, we'll explore the Vault road map, and discuss how you can contribute to shaping its future.

As the manufacturing industry continues to evolve, factory operations must continue to adapt to enable companies to maximize the efficiency and productivity of every asset. In this third session of the Digital Factory Symposium, you'll discover data strategies to monitor, automate, and streamline operations for maximum return on investment. *This session is part of the Digital Factory Symposium, a learning pathway and networking experience on Wednesday, October 16. To see all related sessions, select the "Digital Factory Symposium" filter. If you would like to attend the private welcome reception on Tuesday, October 15, please email DigitalFactoryAU@autodesk.com.

Rivian Automotive is adapting to digital transformation by automating the setup of its prototype machining centers using Configurations in Autodesk Fusion software to improve flow and allow for adjustability in the setup of its manufacturing process. In this session, experts from Rivian and Autodesk will guide you on your journey to a more sustainable and automated approach to setting up your machining operations using Configurations. Spend more time programming your parts and less time setting them up to maximize your efficiency and reduce waste. Improve collaboration between departments by keeping a centralized, cloud-based, easy-to-use work-holding setup. See how Rivian reduces human error and rework by always simulating machining operations when using various high-end professional machining centers and expensive raw materials across multiple locations throughout the United States. Apply lessons learned in this technical instruction to save time and automate your design and manufacturing processes using configurations throughout Fusion.

Unlocking a digital factory's potential demands innovation, collaboration, and data-driven decisions. In this second session of the Digital Factory Symposium, experts share insights on how connecting data and teams across disciplines can deliver better outcomes. *This session is part of the Digital Factory Symposium, a learning pathway and networking experience on Wednesday, October 16. To see all related sessions, select the "Digital Factory Symposium" filter. If you would like to attend the private welcome reception on Tuesday, October 15, please email DigitalFactoryAU@autodesk.com.

Ready to reduce engineering time and get sales quotes and drawings to production faster. Come along for an unexpected but advantageous journey. Ruler is a CAD-neutral sales and design Automation, Integration, & Customization platform designed to streamline and enhance your product configuration and design processes. As one fellowship, Ruler maps the plan to CAD such as Autodesk Inventor and Revit to deliver pristine models and documentation. It offers a suite of tools that can be tailored to meet the needs of various industries, including CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote), CTO (Configure to Order), and ETO (Engineer to Order) business models. Embark on this quest with Ruler, and let it be the guiding light that leads your projects to triumph.

Designing a drone is more than just assembling parts—it’s about bringing together electronics, mechanics, and performance into one seamless system. In this session, we will explore how to create a fully functional mechatronic drone using the all-in-one capabilities of Autodesk Fusion software. You’ll learn how to integrate a complete 3D mechanical assembly, and run simulations to validate both thermal performance and structural integrity. Whether you’re an engineer, product designer, or educator, this session will show you how to take your ideas from circuit to sky with efficiency, precision, and confidence.

How do we take innovation from one part of manufacturing and ignite transformation in another? In this session, we’ll continue the Autodesk–ModuleWorks journey around the Manufacturing Data Exchange Specification (MDES) and explore a bold new chapter: the emergence of third-party Autodesk Fusion plug-ins that bring advanced technology directly to the shop floor. We’ll spotlight SmartRoughing, the next-generation roughing toolpath initially launched in partnership with Kennametal. See a live example of how MDES and an open ecosystem allow deep tooling know-how to be deployed seamlessly inside workflows. But this session will go beyond just one toolpath—it’ll introduce "cross-pollination of manufacturing technology,” where ideas leap across disciplines to unlock new value. We’ll also preview how this approach is paving the way for technology in emerging areas, demonstrating how the same innovation model can extend manufacturing into the industrial mainstream.

What’s the difference between topology optimization and generative design—and why does it matter when building advanced components? In this hands-on lab, we’ll explore the tools and workflows that helped Elara Aerospace design a launch-ready, record-breaking rocket built to survive the extreme forces of spaceflight. You’ll follow guided exercises in Autodesk Fusion software, learning how to harness both generative design and topology optimization to reduce mass, increase strength, and improve overall performance under tight constraints. We’ll walk through how to define loads, constraints, and materials. We’ll cover how to interpret and compare outcomes. And we’ll explore post-process geometry for manufacturability. You’ll gain practical experience in setting up a generative design study, comparing it with topology optimization, and understanding when and why each approach is appropriate. By the end, you’ll understand the theory—and have built and optimized a component for spaceflight-level performance.

Discover how Automatic Systems, Inc.—a frontrunner in the automotive and industrial machinery sectors—has transformed its operations with the power of data and process management strategies using product lifecycle management (PLM). This presentation will take you through the company's transformative journey, highlighting how it's moved from time-consuming manual tasks and disconnected business systems to an integrated ecosystem with connected data management, PLM, and enterprise resource planning (ERP). Learn how the company has achieved greater efficiencies by ensuring up-to-date data and visibility across departments. Through the company's experiences, you'll gain key insights and considerations for your own digital transformation journey. Learn how your business can emulate Automatic Systems' success, using connected data and processes to drive innovation and efficiency. This session is part of the PLM Summit, a dedicated learning pathway and networking experience on Tuesday, October 15. To see all related sessions select the "PLM Summit" track filter. To request attendance at the private luncheon and reception, please email plmsummitau@autodesk.com.