Podcast: Where AI Fits in Manufacturing Engineering

The push toward automation in engineering is ever-present: so how much can be handed off to machines, and how much should remain grounded in human judgment? As artificial intelligence gains traction in design and manufacturing workflows, those questions are becoming more urgent to answer.

In this episode of ASME TechCast, we're joined by experts to explore how AI is reshaping design for manufacturing and where it meets its limits. At the center of the conversation is HCL Software's DFMPro, a CAD-integrated tool that aims to catch manufacturability issues early on in the design process. Tune in to the discussion to learn why rule-based systems remain essential, what the "cold start problem" reveals about AI's limitations, and how a hybrid approach will likely define the next generation of workflows.


 

Speakers

Bradley Hope
Bradley Hope is account manager for HCL DFMPro with more than a decade of experience helping companies streamline the design and manufacturing of complex products. He works closely with engineering teams to improve collaboration and efficiency across the product development lifecycle.



Steven Gerdeman
Steven Gerdeman is technical advisor for the DFMPro team. Drawing on over ten years of engineering experience, he supports customer onboarding and helps organizations align their workflows to maximize the value of design-for-manufacturing tools.



Rahul Rajadhyaksha
Rahul Rajadhyaksha is director of product management at HCL Software, where he leads a portfolio of design-to-manufacturing solutions, including DFMPro. A mechanical engineer by training, he began his career in manufacturing before transitioning into software development, project management, and product leadership over the past decade.