Autodesk will be giving two demonstrations and running a competition at this year’s Seco event, 9th– 10th October at Seco’s Technology Centre facility in Alcester, Warwickshire

 Autodesk has been selected by Seco as one of 17 technical partners to host demonstrations at the annual event. On the show floor, discussions will focus on the improvements in productivity and performance that manufacturers can gain through technologies emerging from Industry 4.0.

The company will be showcasing generative design, a technology that enhances the role of engineers by delivering optimised designs based on parameters set by the individual, such as materials, manufacturing methods and cost constraints. Autodesk engineers will be on hand during the event to discuss how generative design benefits machining and they will also be running two live demonstrations:

  • The steering upright created for the BAC Mono project: Running on a Doosan machine supplied by Mills CNC, an engineer will be demonstrating the generative steering upright created for the Liverpool-made supercar. The generatively-designed part is manufactured using 5-axis subtractive machining and Autodesk PowerMill, delivering a high-performance component that meets drivers’ needs and is 30% lighter than the previous version. The BAC Mono supercar will be on display at the event, with visitors able to see for themselves the different manufacturing results achievable as a result of generative design.
  • Machining a gearbox casing from scratch: The engineer will create a gearbox casing from just a solid billet of material using Autodesk’s adaptive roughing techniques, instead of the traditional casting method. This demonstration will highlight how manufacturers can use this process to reduce cycle time by up to 60%. PowerMill controls the engagement angle of the cutting tool at all times maintaining constant cutting forces. This prolongs the life of the tool whilst also greatly increasing the material removal rate and reducing the likelihood of a premature tool breakage, ultimately leading to a reduction of costs. At the end of the demo, visitors will be able to get their hands on the machined part and compare it to a cast gearbox casing.

Mark Gadsden, Digital Manufacturing Group Marketing Manager, from Autodesk said: “It’s a pleasure to be invited to demonstrate our CAM technology again this year at Seco’s Inspiration through Innovation event and to celebrate collaboration in the manufacturing industry. With Industry 4.0 rewriting the rules of traditional manufacturing processes and tools, it’s important that we share knowledge with one another to reinstate Britain as an industrial powerhouse. We pioneered generative design technology and have been championing it for several years as a way to enhance the role of engineers. We’re excited to be demonstrating its power at the event.”

Competition time!

To mark the Seco event, Autodesk invites manufacturers to submit photos of parts they have created using Seco tooling. For more details of the competition, visit:

To enter: To enter individuals / companies should submit photos of their parts via the competition website: https://autode.sk/seco-photo-competition and enter on Twitter and Facebook using: #itiphotocompetition

The winning entry will be chosen by public votes on the website, so get voting!

Closing date: Entries must be submitted by 1pm on Friday 5th October 2018. The winner will then be notified via e-mail and presented with their prize at the Autodesk stand at Seco’s Inspiration through Innovation event.

Prizes: The winner will receive a full conference pass to Autodesk University Las Vegas from 13 to 15th November 2018, including flights and accommodation, worth circa £3,000.  In addition, they will also receive two complementary places on Seco’s Step Core or Step Advanced training course, depending on knowledge, worth nearly £1,500, to be booked by the end of 2019. .

Find out more, here: https://www.secotools.com/#article/68076?language=en