This session will focus on the new interoperability between Factory Design Utilities software and FlexSim, showcasing the access of the Factory Design Utilities library in FlexSim as well as the export of a factory layout from FlexSim to a Factory Design Utilities tool. We’ll also share future development plans for FlexSim and Factory Design Utilities and what Autodesk is doing for the Factory Design Utilities space.

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.

Process bottlenecks and related issues often require complex and dynamic solutions. Discover how FlexSim recommends process improvements from live data, and see how the FlexSim OptQuest optimization engine solves multidimensional problems. OptQuest uses machine learning to evaluate multiparameter input groups in order to strategically determine optimal outcomes across various performance objectives. This method provides faster and more intelligent solutions to intricate problems than manual techniques do. In scenarios with constantly evolving operational inputs, FlexSim can be configured as a live Digital Prototyping, continuously operating at set intervals, and using live data streams based on system feedback and artificial intelligence (AI) predictions. This approach necessitates specific model programming, which we will explore. By implementing these advanced techniques, businesses can significantly improve their process optimization capabilities, addressing complex challenges more effectively than traditional methods allow.

As Sustainable Design becomes central to factory operations, accurate insights into energy consumption are essential. In this talk, we’ll showcase FlexCon Helios, a third-party module for FlexSim that simulates, tracks, and analyses the energy use, power requirements, and indirect carbon emissions of manufacturing systems. Using the AU Factory Live experience as a real-world testbed, we’ll show how Helios enabled detailed simulation of energy usage across the live production setup. We’ll walk through the model and demonstrate how the tool integrates with FlexSim using Energy Use Policies and Energy Source objects. And we’ll explore how this approach helps manufacturers test system configurations and energy scenarios, analyze peak power demands and infrastructure needs, and estimate carbon emissions and energy costs over time. Whether you're developing Digital Prototypings or prioritizing Sustainable Design, this talk will show how energy-aware simulation enables smarter, greener decisions.

Discover how IMI Critical Engineering, a greenfield manufacturing facility, overcame the limitations of traditional 2D CAD models by moving to 3D simulation modeling. Relying on 2D layouts led to inefficiencies, high error rates, and communication barriers between engineering, operations, and leadership teams. This session will explore how IMI used FlexSim software’s advanced features—such as process flow, SQL queries, and video recording—to achieve significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration. By visualizing the production process in a dynamic 3D environment, the team identified bottlenecks, iterated designs more effectively, and minimized costly errors before implementation. Read real-life case studies to learn how this Management reduced errors, optimized workflows, and streamlined decision making, ultimately leading to higher productivity, better resource use, and sustainable growth for IMI.

The industry is responsible for a significant part of the global GHG emissions from energy. It is crucial that modern organizations understand energy use in their production facilities. Energy-use planning should consider not only the total amount consumed, but also timing—taking into account intermittent renewable generation, dynamic pricing, and variable CO2 intensity. On-site generation and energy storage cannot be evaluated without a model of the production process. FlexSim is a simulation product that has been used in manufacturing applications for more than 20 years. Flexcon Helios extends general-purpose FlexSim and can specify power requirements for different phases of any process modeled in FlexSim. The simulation can predict a realistic power curve, and the Flexcon Helios module allows users to define a dynamic policy on how energy sources are used. If coupled with an intermittency model, dynamic pricing, or CO2 intensity data, this approach can assess the total costs and carbon footprint of the process.

Unlock the full potential of your asset data with Autodesk Digital Prototyping solutions. This session will explore how Digital Prototypings—spanning both physical assets and operational processes—support the entire lifecycle: design, build, operate, and maintain. Autodesk Tandem software creates rich production twins using live sensor data and structured taxonomy. FlexSim delivers dynamic process flow simulations that model people and operations. Together, they form a connected digital thread, from concept to reuse, enabling smarter decisions, reducing waste, and supporting circular economy goals. Discover how combining asset and process twins drives sustainable, resilient outcomes across buildings and infrastructure.

With new technologies emerging, we're always on the road to explore the digital factory. In this class, we'll share the best practices and approaches regarding the digital factory. First, drive increased efficiency of the factory design and optimization based on CAD workflow and FlexSim process simulation, which is essential for the digital factory. Next, ensure the objects can be tracked throughout the whole lifecycle; we built a "Factory Object TAG Rules" system for digital delivery. Finally, connected IoT devices help realize digital twins to streamline, automate, and predict tasks. And we explore AI to reinforce human intelligence so that it can achieve more.

Elevating the digital maturity of our clients' factories, we aim to transform traditional manufacturing practices by transitioning from outdated paper-based drawings to the powerful concept of the Digital Prototyping. We start by scanning the facility to generate a 3D point cloud, which forms the base for architectural and MEP models in Revit software. These are imported into Inventor software, where we design and optimize the production line with machinery, conveyors, and robots. Factory Design Utilities software allows us to quickly build detailed layouts. With Navisworks software, we perform clash detection and offer virtual reality (VR) walk-throughs. FlexSim simulates the workflow to ensure efficiency. For data management, we use Vault Pro software and Autodesk Construction Cloud, while Autodesk Tandem software improves operations. This journey helps clients move beyond outdated systems and embrace the Digital Prototyping and Digital Prototyping.

Many manufacturing companies have design engineering teams that are already "digitally mature." However, this is just a small part of the business when we consider every other function in the process of manufacturing parts. Consider that 70% of projects are still over budget or late, and up to 40% of engineering time is spent looking for the right files or information. This class will look at how customers are using tools—such as FlexSim, Autodesk Fusion Manage Extension, and Autodesk Fusion Operations—connected together to break down silos between departments, have change control over manufacturing BOMs and process definitions, and predict production issues before they arise. We will show how accurate simulation models based on real-world data can ensure projects remain on time and budget. And we’ll show how a connected data platform and change management platform can ensure data is well connected, reducing the time spent finding the right data.

Head of Innovation Dan Middleton reveals Edwards Vacuum's (Atlas Copco Group) strategic approach to Net Zero manufacturing using digital-twin technology. Edwards' unique approach involves an extensive digital asset library and FlexSim-optimized processes, promoting lean and agile manufacturing and rapid enhancements in production, and boosting business performance. Using a novel digital-twin approach that effectively integrates its business processes enables Edwards to evaluate the impact its operations have on market trends and business cycles, and to support investment decisions in equipment, facilities, and workforce.

Stephen Hooper opens the Digital Prototyping Summit to share how Autodesk is shaping the factory of the future through Digital Prototypings, AI-driven simulation, and open data models.

Then, Stephen invites representatives from Motherson SAS on stage to share their organizational strategy for Management in the factory. CEO Frederic Boumaza and CIO Praveen Chinta will discuss their approach to planning, deploying, and maintaining a Digital Prototyping, and how they included business stakeholders and technology in the decision-making process. Using Autodesk Platform Services (APS), Inventor, and FlexSim, they have implemented solutions for building optimization, production optimization, and real-time monitoring, leading to outcomes like increased energy efficiency, reduced downtime, and improved production flexibility.

 

How efficiently are your products getting from production to warehouse to shipping docks? As you consider new factory designs to improve these material-handling processes, it's critical to have a complete understanding of how your resources and processes interconnect. When Cardinal Glass wanted to optimize its material handling to minimize shipping delays from the factory, the company used simulation with FlexSim to validate its proof of concept and discover new improvement opportunities. The simulation helped to rebalance the workload and identify a reconfiguration that led to a 29% decrease in shipping operation time. This also formed the basis for a digital twin that enables real-time optimization of warehouse goods storage and dock assignments, with daily assignment, location, and maintenance recommendations.

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.

Industrialized construction: The goal is to accelerate the pace of delivery, increase schedule certainty, and improve the flow of work. Owners and project teams are increasingly using "pop-up" near-site prefabrication facilities to achieve these outcomes. However, the promise of industrialized construction is not achieved simply by shifting the work off-site. Entering the prefab environment presents unique challenges, notably in line layout optimization, material flow, and workload balancing. Easley and Rivers—in collaboration with ICG Consulting and powered by Autodesk FlexSim technology—learned to bring together craft expertise to mitigate these risks with tried-and-true lean manufacturing methods and industrial engineering best practices. By using discrete-event simulation, the team has not only improved the reliability of delivery to the field, but it's also significantly enhanced production standards.

Understand the power of models, data, and management working and evolving together with shared tools across one environment. Through the lens of a vast, 270,000 sf greenfield pharmaceutical manufacturing facility project, CRB shares how their team flowed through multiple phases from design to operations for this advanced digital facility. This session outlines how data and models from previous phases of a Digital Prototyping project can be used to better inform and improve the subsequent phases and the overall optimization of a factory’s production. Supporting the facility, tools like ACC, Revit, and Plant 3D enabled effective project, document, and Field Engineer, with Modeling to support turnover and proactively avoid issues. Autodesk tools continued to shake hands and support the project through factory operations, with tools like FlexSim to justify the business case, develop operating strategies, and detect future production inefficiencies.