CDFAM Computational Design Symposium

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

Traditional 3D modeling often captures only the outcomes of design processes, and not the underlying decisions and logic. Procedural BIM is an approach that addresses this by representing an architectural project as a network of interconnected, metadata-enhanced models. This network not only stores the outcomes but also embodies the design thinking, enabling scripts to dynamically establish relationships, generate new objects, and propagate information across the network while adhering to the principles of the design.

The presentation will detail the application of this innovative framework in the design, fabrication, and installation of over 23,000 unique curtain wall panels for a large-scale project, featuring 8.5 million individual fabricated components. The panels feature extreme cold-bent glass, with complex three-dimensional frames that are prefabricated to unlock rapid installation. Metadata also enabled the development of a machine-learning model derived from 3,500 material simulations to reverse engineer the flat shape of twisted panels.

By leveraging a data-centric approach, the system acts as both a record and a map of the design’s relationships, dependencies, and logic. It allows for simultaneous representations at various levels of detail, and a continuous flow of information from the building’s overall massing down to the holes on a fabricated component.

Speaker Bio

Keyan combines his dual education in architecture and structural engineering with a deep expertise in computational design. He spent 10 years at Front, Inc. developing facade systems for high profile projects around the world and working with many of the premier global design firms. He then went on to lead the Computational Design team for Grimshaw’s New York Studio, and now runs an independent consultancy focused on automation and digital processes for designers and makers. His career has been especially focused on parametric design, complex simulations, DfMA, and anything related to the process of transforming data into real, physical constructions

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

This presentation explores how we use computational tools to optimize occupant comfort and well-being in indoor spaces. We emphasize the importance of occupant-centric design, prioritizing occupants’ needs and well-being in the building design process. Through case studies in residential dwellings and hospital environments, we demonstrate the application of machine learning algorithms and advanced simulation tools to predict and optimize comfort across various indoor environmental conditions, ultimately designing spaces tailored to unique user needs

Speaker Bios

Noresh is a mechanical engineer with computational design expertise at Stantec. As part of the Digital Practice team, he plays a core role in identifying opportunities for design process automations and providing custom solutions for workflow efficiency. He works across multidisciplinary teams guiding the integration of computational design in building performance simulations and parametric analysis. He is also pursuing a PhD in Engineering at Drexel University at the Building Science and Engineering group, where his research centers on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), occupant comfort, and occupant-centric control

Agustín Salas is a Senior Associate and Lead Senior Architectural Designer at Stantec, with over 22 years of experience. He specializes in bioclimatic architecture and computational design, holding a postgraduate degree from the Polytechnic University of Cataluña (UPC) and a master’s degree from the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). Agustín is dedicated to creating architecture that enhances human well-being and minimizes ecological impact.

Leading multidisciplinary teams across Stantec’s offices in the USA, Canada, and Europe, Agustín has delivered innovative solutions for complex architectural challenges. His projects include public and private spaces, mixed-use developments, high-end residences, and institutional buildings, with a focus on sustainability and design excellence.

Agustín’s international portfolio spans regions such as the U.S., Israel, Russia, Mexico, and the Caribbean. His work integrates advanced computational tools, artificial intelligence, and bioclimatic strategies, all aimed at crafting functional, elegant solutions that inspire and uplift users. Passionate about transforming the future of architecture, Agustín combines creativity and technology to drive innovation in the field.

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

At CDFAM NYC 2024, nTop and Siemens Energy explored how computational design can streamline complex workflows, improve engineering outcomes, and accelerate innovation in additive manufacturing.

nTop’s presentation highlighted how their computational design tools are reshaping product development across industries by shifting from manual CAD processes to parametric models driven by implicit modeling and field-driven design. They emphasized that computational design removes bottlenecks by allowing engineers to explore countless iterations quickly, enhancing the performance of parts such as heat exchangers, air filters, and turbine blades.

Siemens Energy shared insights into their use of additive manufacturing for serial production, focusing on applications in gas turbines, wind turbines, and electric generators. They demonstrated how implicit modeling and collaboration with nTop enabled them to develop more efficient heat exchangers and optimize support structures using topology optimization. Siemens’ engineers showcased how their partnership with nTop helps overcome challenges like handling complex geometries and reducing file sizes from several gigabytes to just a few megabytes.

With over 100 additive-manufactured parts in serial production, Siemens Energy stressed the importance of computational tools in real-world applications, emphasizing that implicit modeling is no longer confined to research but is being used in production at scale. The talk underscored that innovations in additive manufacturing are not just limited to prototyping but are enabling large-scale manufacturing solutions for critical infrastructure.

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) has often focused on product characteristics (performance and aesthetics) and printing optimization (support and nesting strategies). However, this drastically overlooks all the steps between the 3D printing process and final use of the product.

Nearly all additive my manufactured parts/products undergo a series of steps once printed: post-processing, assembly, finishing, and QC. DfAM philosophies can leverage additive as a technology and design efficiencies at each step of this process to improve lead times and streamline workflows.

Speaker Bio

Ankush Venkatesh is the Intrapreneur, Additive Manufacturing at Glidewell Dental Laboratories. In addition to writing for publications such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Ankush has also been speaker at the largest 3D printing events in the world including Formnext, Rapid+ TCT, and Additive Manufacturing Strategies (AMS).At Glidewell, Ankush is heavily involved in new product development, streamline additive manufacturing workflows, business strategy, and commercialization of digital manufacturing technologies

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

If we can increase the efficiency and success rate of engineering by improving the process of designing physical products, reducing the cost and timelines of doing so, and making our engineering workforce more productive, it will create huge benefits to society. Currently, skilled labour shortages, cost overruns and long development timelines frequently result in the failure of once promising technologies, products, and businesses. These difficulties destroy invested capital and hamper our efforts to address climate change.

We must produce new solutions faster that will have more complex use cases and dependencies. This is happening elsewhere, yet the rapid advances in AI capabilities that are currently supercharging other industries, are limited within engineering and high-value manufacturing, why is this? There is a gap to overcome, but what is this gap, and can we all work together to bridge it?

We must produce new solutions faster that will have more complex use cases and dependencies. This is happening elsewhere, yet the rapid advances in AI capabilities that are currently supercharging other industries are limited within engineering and high-value manufacturing. Can we enable true AI and ML impact beyond surrogate simulations? There is a gap to overcome, but what is this gap, and can we all work together to bridge it?

Speaker Bios

Joe Griston is a Software Engineer turned Chief People Officer turned startup Founder. Alongside others, Joe built the world’s largest labour marketplace enabling 70 million people to work together, then built the once-promising Arrival to its $13.6 billion public listing, and is now leading EQT-backed Generative Engineering to market.

Laurence Cook holds a PhD from Cambridge and was a Postdoc Computational Engineer at Stanford, Cambridge, and within MIT’s ACDL (Aerospace Computational Design Lab). Built applications including hypersonic space planes, passenger jet aircraft, and Formula 1 tech and is now a Co-Founder of Generative Engineering

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

Machine intelligence continues to rise in popularity as an aid to the design and discovery of novel lattice structures. Until recently, the design process has relied on a combination of trial-and-error and physics-based methods for optimization. These processes can be time-consuming and challenging, especially when the design space is being explored thoroughly. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can be used to overcome challenges like these as pre-processed massive lattice, TPMS, foam and metamaterial datasets can be used to accurately train appropriate models. The models can be broad, describing properties, structure, and function at numerous levels of hierarchy, using relevant inputted knowledge. 

In this talk, I will present a comprehensive overview of how state-of-the-art machine intelligence techniques can be used for the computational design, discovery and development of lattices and other cellular solids. I will show individual approaches categorizing them based on methodology and application and will further discuss machine intelligence trends for a wide range of computational design problems. Most importantly, I will critique AI and ML and will look into where it does work and where it does not, hopefully providing a better understanding of possible AI applications in the computational design context.

Speaker Bio.

I am a researcher in the field of computational design and mechanical metamaterials working at the University of Edinburgh. My research area includes artificially engineered metamaterials (to enhance a specific mechanical characteristic such as stiffness and strength), lattices, self-assembling 4D printed materials and bio-inspired materials and structures. My background in mechanical engineering allows me to map the characteristics of these innovations to applications in industry including transport, space and energy sectors. For instance, one of my latest projects included weight shaving from wind turbines using large-scale lattice structures in order to tackle the fatigue loading problems, using state-of-the-art computational design approaches.Most recently, I have been developing new design and optimization frameworks based on AI and ML models, focussing on the benefits that these approaches can bring to old-fashioned optimization

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

Synera is a process automation platform specifically designed for engineers. Thanks to the user-friendly UI and shareable templates anyone from your team can easily use and modify them to level up their work. The Moldflow connector allows integrating Moldflow in complex, multidisciplinary development workflows. In this presentation, examples will be presented solving typical injection molding design challenges.

Speaker Bio

At Synera, Andrew Sartorelli is the Product Manager for Integrations, as well as Software Partnership Lead where helps brings to market solutions for customer pains using internally developed solutions, as well as leveraging partner solutions. He’s spent the past 10 years working for a variety of engineering software companies including Autodesk, nTopology, Hexagon, and now Synera. At these companies, he’s always been focused on helping bringing the voice of the customer in companies through positions ranging from Technical Support Specialist, Application Engineer, Product Owner, and Product Manager. He holds a BSc. Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Hampshire.

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

This presentation explores our innovative approach to converting traditional design tools and workflows into comprehensive computational systems that enable automation, optimisation, and efficient data handling. Focusing on a complex but outdated tool for designing refrigeration systems, we established robust standards and methodologies for this transformation. By analysing existing tools, spreadsheets, and workflows in collaboration with discipline experts, we derived logical frameworks and mapped every operation and data variable into a graph database. This process ensures modular function reuse and comprehensive tracking of variable usage throughout the tools. The presentation will highlight our methodologies, the resulting standards, and the significant advancements in design automation and optimisation

Speaker Bio

Sean Turner, P.E., serves as the Director of Innovation at Henderson Engineers. In this role, Sean spearheads innovation initiatives, representing cutting-edge advancements to clients and partners while overseeing internal innovation projects. He devises novel approaches to building systems design aimed at delivering high-performance, data-driven, optimised projects. His efforts are focused on enhancing efficiency and engagement for project teams, ensuring a streamlined and effective design process.

Dauphin Flores is a Lead Computational Engineer within the Innovation Department at Henderson Engineers and the director of this project. Dauphin has played a pivotal role in the development of various computational tools at Henderson. His expertise in computational engineering drives the advancement of design automation and optimisation, significantly contributing to the firm’s innovative capabilities and technical excellence

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

We showcase the latest advancements in physics-driven engineering design software, especially new multi-physics modelling tools for net-zero applications such as carbon capture, as well as the integration of new design tools which remove the ‘black-box’ feeling engineers often experience while using design tools such as topology optimization. We demonstrate how these new features are incorporated into ToffeeX, allowing fast iterations and integration into whole new workflows

Speaker Bio

As a mathematician and aerospace engineer with a PhD in fluid dynamics from Imperial College, Marco is deeply passionate about modeling natural phenomena. His core value lies in enabling progress and movement, both intellectually and practically. Having founded ToffeeX, he leads the company in his role as CEO, leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and positive change.

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.

Recorded at CDFAM Computational Design Symposium, NYC 2024

Presentation Abstract

A digital model undergoes multiple transformations throughout the product lifecycle and relies on various mathematical models and computer representations. These include CAD or implicit representations during design, slices, and G-code during process planning, and CT scans during manufacturing inspection. The current simulation tools’ inability to directly work with these native representations, instead insisting on conversion to meshes, makes performance prediction cycles extremely slow, manual, and fragile. This severely limits the parameter space at each stage and hinders the computational design and engineering of innovative, high-performance products. Furthermore, it fragments the already siloed product lifecycle management (PLM) as different data formats cannot be easily integrated for holistic decision-making.

Our solution to these challenges lies in continuous engineering through simulation on native representations. By employing immersed methods of moments and mesh-free simulation techniques, we ensure continuity across heterogeneous geometry and material models, throughout the design-to-manufacture process, and across arbitrary resolutions, solvers, and platforms. We have successfully demonstrated components of the continuous engineering platform by enabling, for example, performance simulation of as-planned and as-manufactured models, path-level additive process simulation, and virtual additive manufacturing (AM) part qualification. Additionally, we are developing *Generative.AM*, software technology for the generative design of pre-qualified AM components through a DARPA grant. Our commercial solutions today allow rapid exploration of large design spaces with extremely complex designs. By integrating with leading platforms like Synera, nTop, and Rhino Grasshopper as well as custom workflows such as those in Houdini, we empower users to seamlessly incorporate advanced simulations into their computational design processes, driving unprecedented innovation and efficiency.

Speaker Bio

Dr. Neel Goldy Kumar is a Product Manager and Engineer at Intact Solutions, Inc., where he leads the development of cutting-edge commercial simulation technologies. With a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, he has extensive expertise in modeling and simulation, particularly in high-complexity areas such as additive manufacturing and composites. Over his seven years at Intact, Dr. Kumar has helped pioneer the Immersed Method of Moments technology and has been a key contributor to multiple SBIR-funded projects. He has also served as Principal Investigator for a NIST SBIR on the virtual validation of complex heterogeneous components made using metal additive manufacturing. Currently, Dr. Kumar is spearheading the launch of Intact.Simulation software across various computational design platforms.

CDFAM Computational Design Symposium series brings together leading experts in computational design from industry, academia and software development for two days of knowledge sharing and networking.

Visit CDFAM.COM to learn about upcoming events around the world.