Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
In the world of advanced R&D, "good enough" doesn't cut it. To look five to ten years into the future of manufacturing, Autodesk Research needs hardware that matches their ambition.
That’s why, when developing their groundbreaking Performance-Aided Design (PAD) workflow, the team turned to Markforged. This collaboration isn't just about 3D printing parts; it’s about creating a digital-to-physical loop that allows engineers to iterate at the speed of thought.
The Vision: Closing the Gap Between Simulation and Reality
Traditionally, designers are flying blind. Once a product leaves the factory, feedback only returns via warranty claims or years of field reports. Performance-Aided Design (PAD) changes that by using sensors and digital twins to provide instant feedback on how a product is actually being used.
To test this high-stakes research, Autodesk Research built two massive Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms—one with a 300-pound max takeoff weight. These UAVs face extreme dynamic loading, wind gusts, and temperature shifts, making them the ultimate "torture test" for both software and hardware.
Our Website: markforged.com
Twitter: twitter.com/markforged
Instagram: instagram.com/markforged
Facebook: facebook.com/markforged
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/markforged
In the world of advanced R&D, "good enough" doesn't cut it. To look five to ten years into the future of manufacturing, Autodesk Research needs hardware that matches their ambition.
That’s why, when developing their groundbreaking Performance-Aided Design (PAD) workflow, the team turned to Markforged. This collaboration isn't just about 3D printing parts; it’s about creating a digital-to-physical loop that allows engineers to iterate at the speed of thought.
The Vision: Closing the Gap Between Simulation and Reality
Traditionally, designers are flying blind. Once a product leaves the factory, feedback only returns via warranty claims or years of field reports. Performance-Aided Design (PAD) changes that by using sensors and digital twins to provide instant feedback on how a product is actually being used.
To test this high-stakes research, Autodesk Research built two massive Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms—one with a 300-pound max takeoff weight. These UAVs face extreme dynamic loading, wind gusts, and temperature shifts, making them the ultimate "torture test" for both software and hardware.
Our Website: markforged.com
Twitter: twitter.com/markforged
Instagram: instagram.com/markforged
Facebook: facebook.com/markforged
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/markforged
