Abstract:

With the onset of Industry 4.0 standards, the competency requirements for future design engineers are evolving, shifting from traditional geometric modeling to design based on defining performance goals and constraints. This article addresses the transformation of engineering education through the integration of generative design and additive manufacturing technologies. The paper describes a methodical approach to implementing these technologies into the educational process, focusing on the efficient utilization of material resources. Within the practical section, the article presents a case study where eighty students redesigned a pneumatic end effector using topology optimization. The results demonstrate an average weight reduction of 20% while maintaining structural safety factors, validated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The implementation of these tools not only enhances students' digital literacy in advanced CAD systems by mastering non-linear, simulation-driven workflows, but also significantly develops their critical thinking. This development was observed through a comparative analysis of student projects and a questionnaire survey, which confirmed an enhanced ability to interpret and validate generative design outcomes. The most critical obstacles include the high computational power required for complex iterative simulations and the necessity to shift curricula from traditional drafting toward a deeper focus on structural mechanics and material science, ensuring students can critically validate AI-generated results rather than developing a heuristic reliance on automated outputs. Finally, the paper offers recommendations for academic institutions aiming to modernize technical education.

Keywords:

Technical education, generative design, additive manufacturing.