Generative Design, Artificial Intelligence and Manufacturing
Quick Definitions: AI and Generative Design
AI involves using computer systems to perform tasks that have historically been done by people. It can speed manufacturing times and can even learn from the problem-solving it does. Generative design is a form of AI that takes its specialized design knowledge and merges it with parameters you input to create designs to meet your specifications.
The fascinating aspect of generative design is that because it can go beyond the inherent biases humans have when designing, sometimes it can come up with CAD models that meet all specifications, but are designed in a totally unexpected way—yielding increased strength and lightweight parts. As with all design, it’s an iterative process to get you what you need. There are a number of open-source programs that can provide a starting point.
Daring to Try Something New
We’re already working with companies who use this new tech. Recently, NASA has been working with generative design to quickly iterate functional parts with the aim to “build more, analyze less.”
To showcase their use of generative design in a hypothetical situation, NASA ran an experiment at the recent PowerSource Global Summit to crowdsource the requirements and design constraints for a tool that could capture vapors from the extreme cold of the moon’s surface (−315°F to −55°F). One morning, attendees at a conference worked for one hour to determine those specs, which were ultimately input into a generative design program.
