Intro to Digital Manufacturing with Autodesk Fusion 360 (Coursera)

Offered by Autodesk,
Intro to Digital Manufacturing with Autodesk Fusion 360 (Coursera)

The manufacturing industry is making a digital transformation, allowing companies to customize production through advances in machine learning, sustainable design, generative design, and collaboration, with integrated design and manufacturing processes. This course introduces innovations in CAD and digital manufacturing, speaking to the rapid changes taking place that are forever transforming the future of making.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course will also explore foundational concepts behind Autodesk® Fusion 360™ CAD/CAM. Fusion 360 is a cloud-based CAD/CAM tool for collaborative product development that combines industrial design, mechanical engineering, and machine tool programming into one software solution. Through a series of lectures and hands-on exercises, this course provides the core philosophy behind the software. By understanding how designs are both made and assembled, you'll learn to create better designs from the start.
After completing this course, you will be able to:
• Summarize an understanding of digital manufacturing, principles of sustainable design, and manufacturing processes.
• Explain and discuss how trends such as generative design and machine learning are influencing innovation, and how things are made.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in foundational concepts of Fusion 360 CAD/CAM software.
• Practice design collaboration and file management best practices using Fusion 360 cloud-based features

Course 1 of 5 in the CAD and Digital Manufacturing Specialization

Syllabus

WEEK 1
The future of manufacturing and innovation
The manufacturing industry is changing rapidly with the development of new manufacturing processes and the use of computer algorithms to drive innovation. This week explores trends such as generative design, machine learning and additive manufacturing. Industry experts introduce these trends and provide you with insight and enterprise examples of how they are being used today.

WEEK 2
Design Innovation Practices
Whether you are looking to improve an existing design or preparing for a sustainable design challenge for the first time, this course prepares product designers and engineers to take a quick step forward to integrating the principles of sustainability into their design process. If you are new to design or an experienced designer, this week prepares you with knowledge of sustainable design practices and how they can be applied across the digital manufacturing process help you look at things in a new way.

WEEK 3
Foundational Concepts
Build a foundational understanding of how Autodesk® Fusion 360™ can be used to design differently before starting your first model. This week introduces foundational concepts behind Fusion 360 and offers insight into how it compares with other technologies. You will also be guided on how to install the software and develop new software skills so you get started with a solid understanding of how designs are made and assembled in Fusion 360.

WEEK 4
CAD Admininstration
Cloud collaboration has made working together simultaneous and immediate. With Autodesk® Fusion 360™, you can take advantage of the cloud features make project sharing and review easier than ever before regardless of where you are or your role in the design process. This course guides you through how to manage personal and team hubs, calendars and more to best manage your project’s design process and assets.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Machine Design Part I (Coursera) Coursera
Georgia Institute of Technology

Machine Design Part I (Coursera)

“Machine Design Part I” is the first course in an in-depth three course series of “Machine Design.” The “Machine Design” Coursera series covers fundamental mechanical design topics, such as static and fatigue failure theories, the analysis of shafts, fasteners, and gears, and the design of mechanical systems such as gearboxes. Throughout this series of courses we will examine a number of exciting design case studies, including the material selection of a total hip implant, the design and testing of the wing on the 777 aircraft, and the impact of dynamic loads on the design of an bolted pressure vessel. In this first course, you will learn robust analysis techniques to predict and validate design performance and life.

May 25th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Digital Thread: Implementation (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

Digital Thread: Implementation (Coursera)

There are opportunities throughout the design process of any product to make significant changes, and ultimately impact the future of manufacturing, by embracing the digital thread. In this course, you will dig into the transformation taking place in how products are designed and manufactured throughout the world. It is the second of two courses that focuses on the "digital thread" – the stream that starts at the creation of a product concept and continues to accumulate information and data throughout the product life cycle.

Jun 8th 2026
5-12 Weeks
General AI in Action: From Theory to Real-World Impact (Coursera) Coursera
Coursera Instructor Network

General AI in Action: From Theory to Real-World Impact (Coursera)

General Artificial Intelligence (AI) has proven its value across industries. As learners explore the world of AI, they need to familiarize themselves with the myriad of possibilities available for leveraging AI to get faster results, better outcomes, and improved efficiencies. Most AI applications generally considered, involve marketing and retail. However, AI has expanded far beyond meeting and exceeding customer expectations. There are current AI use cases around the world; for learners to understand and prepare for the future, they need to know how AI is being used beyond retail spaces.

Jun 8th 2026
1 Week
MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

MBSE: Model-Based Systems Engineering (Coursera)

This Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) course and the Digital Thread courses featured earlier in this specialization bring together the concepts from across digital manufacturing and design, forming a vision in which the geometry of a product is just one way of describing it. MBSE is where the model resulting from the evolution of system requirements, design, analysis, verification and validation activities is the focus of design and manufacturing.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Digitalisation in Aeronautics (Coursera) Coursera
Technische Universität München - TUM

Digitalisation in Aeronautics (Coursera)

The instructors of the online course "Digitalisation in Aeronautics" present a spectrum of different aviation research and application areas, exploring the impact of digitalisation in this specific field, including the effects of digitalisation in simulating the interaction of aircraft components, in overall aircraft development and related decision-making and in the communication channels used within aircraft. A broad and varied range of applications and digital solutions are explored in detail in the individual modules of this course.

Jun 1st 2026
4 Weeks
Introduction to solar cells (Coursera) Coursera
Technical University of Denmark - DTU

Introduction to solar cells (Coursera)

How do solar cells work, why do we need, and how can we measure their efficiency? These are just some of the questions Introduction to solar cells tackles. Whether you are looking for general insight in this green technology or your ambition is to pursue a career in solar, “Introduction to Solar Cells” is an excellent starting point. The course is a tour through the fundamental disciplines including solar cell history, why we need solar energy, how solar cells produce power, and how they work. During the course we cover mono- and multi-crystalline solar cells, thin film solar cells, and new emerging technologies.

Jun 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects (Coursera) Coursera
Johns Hopkins University

Designing Hardware for Raspberry Pi Projects (Coursera)

This is course 4 of this specialization (although it can be taken out of order) and focuses on applying experience and knowledge gained in the first three courses to build physical electronics hardware. Specifically, this course focuses on four areas: circuit simulation, schematic entry, PCB layout, and 3D CAD modeling. There are many excellent commercial applications available in these areas, however to give everyone access we'll be using all free and open-source software.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks
Digital Manufacturing & Design (Coursera) Coursera
University at Buffalo,The State University of New York

Digital Manufacturing & Design (Coursera)

This course will expose you to the transformation taking place, throughout the world, in the way that products are being designed and manufactured. The transformation is happening through digital manufacturing and design (DM&D) – a shift from paper-based processes to digital processes in the manufacturing industry. By the end of this course, you’ll understand what DMD is and how it is impacting careers, practices and processes in companies both large and small.

Jun 8th 2026
2 Weeks
Industry 4.0: PLM, Value Chain, and Smart Factory (Coursera) Coursera
L&T EduTech

Industry 4.0: PLM, Value Chain, and Smart Factory (Coursera)

This course is designed for Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Mechatronics Engineers. Throughout the course, students will obtain an extensive understanding of Product Life Cycle and Value Chain Management, Manufacturing Workflow, and integration into the Smart Factory concept. Participants will gain a holistic understanding of how these elements collaborate to revolutionize traditional production methods, driving us towards a more connected, efficient, and intelligent future.

Jun 8th 2026
3 Weeks
Perspectives in Digital Transformation: Manufacturing (Coursera) Coursera
Inter-American Development Bank - IDB

Perspectives in Digital Transformation: Manufacturing (Coursera)

Are you interested in learning how Digital Transformation is driving the manufacturing sector in Latin America and the Caribbean? This course will help you identify challenges and opportunities that digitalization can offer in the industry. Along with specialists from BID Invest and the private sector, you will learn firsthand about the tools and best practices that illustrate the potential of digital solutions, with a cross-cutting focus on sustainability.

Jun 8th 2026
4 Weeks