INVENTOR ESSENTIAL TRAINING

MICROGENESIS TRAINING CENTRE JAGADEESH P

OBJECTIVES

Understand different modules of Autodesk Inventor. Understand Autodesk Inventor User Interface.

Understand various terms used in sketching

environment. Understand the important terms and definitions.

Introduction to Autodesk Inventor 2011 Autodesk product Parametric and feature-based solid modeling tool Converts the basic two-dimensional (2D) sketch into a solid model

It is having Bi-Directional Associativity

MODULES

Part Module
Used to create solid models.

Assembly Module
Create assemblies by assembling multiple components using assembly constraints

Presentation Module
Animate the assemblies created in the Assembly module and view their working

Drawing Module
Documentation of the parts or assemblies in the form of drawing views

Initial Screen Display

FILE FORMATS

SKETCHER TAB

Quick Access Toolbar

 RIBBON AND TABS

Long bar available below the Quick Access Toolbar

Sketch Tab

Inventor Precise Input Toolbar

Model Tab

Assemble Tab

Place Views Tab

Presentation Tab

More tools displayed upon choosing the down arrow on the right of a panel and a tool

 Navigation Bar

Browser Bar
Displays all operations performed during the designing process in the form of a tree view

 CREATING THE SKETCH

Choose the Create 2D Sketch tool from the Sketch drop-down in the Sketch panel of the Model tab.

CHAPTER 2
Start a new template file to draw sketches.

Set up the sketching environment. Use various drawing display tools.

Understand the sketcher environment in the

Part module. Draw sketches by using various sketcher

entities.

Starting a New File

Used to select a template file,

.ipt Templates
.iam Templates .ipn Templates .idw Templates .dwg Templates

 INTRODUCTION TO THE SKETCHING ENVIRONMENT

 SETTING UP THE SKETCHING ENVIRONMENT

Modifying the Document Settings of the Sketch
Change (a) Snapping distance (b) Grid spacing, (c) Various attributes, Snap Spacing Area Grid Display Area Line Weight Display Options Area

Ribbon: Toolbar:

Sketch > Draw > Line 2D Sketch Panel > Line drop-down > Line

Perpendicular Constraint, Parallel Constraint,

Drawing a line with the Perpendicular Constraint

Drawing a line with the Parallel Constraint

Drawing Circles
Drawing Circles by Specifying the Center Point and Radius
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Circle drop-down > Circle Center Point 2D Sketch Panel > Circle drop-down > Center Point Circle

Drawing Ellipses
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Ellipse 2D Sketch Panel > Circle drop-down > Ellipse

Drawing Arcs
Drawing an Arc Using Three Points
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Arc drop-down > Arc Three Point 2D Sketch Panel > Arc drop-down > Three Point Arc

Drawing Rectangles
Drawing Rectangles Using Two opposite Corners

Drawing Polygons
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Polygon 2D Sketch Panel > Polygon Figure 28 The Polygon dialog box Inscribed

Circumscribed

Placing Points
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Point 2D Sketch Panel > Point, Center Point

Creating Fillets
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Fillet/Chamfer drop-down > Fillet 2D Sketch Panel > Fillet/Chamfer drop-down > Fillet

Creating Chamfers
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Fillet/Chamfer drop-down > Chamfer 2D Sketch Panel > Fillet/Chamfer drop-down > Chamfer

Drawing Splines
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Spline drop-down > Spline 2D Sketch Panel > Line drop-down > Spline

CHAPTER 3

Add geometric constraints to a sketch. Control the constraint inference. View and delete constraints from a sketch. Dimension a sketch. Modify the dimensions of a sketch.

 ADDING GEOMETRIC CONSTRAINTS TO A SKETCH

Useful for capturing the design intent Twelve types of geometric constraints

Perpendicular Constraint
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Constrain > Perpendicular Constraint 2D Sketch Panel > Constraints drop-down > Perpendicular

Parallel Constraint
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Constrain > Parallel Constraint 2D Sketch Panel > Perpendicular > Parallel

Tangent Constraint
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Constrain > Tangent 2D Sketch Panel > Constraints drop-down > Tangent

 VIEWING THE CONSTRAINTS APPLIED TO A SKETCHED ENTITY

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Constrain > Show Constraints 2D Sketch Panel > Show Constraints

 ADDING DIMENSIONS TO SKETCHES

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Constrain > Dimension 2D Sketch Panel > General Dimension

Setting the priority for editing dimensions

The Edit Dimension toolbar

Linear Dimensioning
Specify the shortest distance between two points Points include the endpoints of lines, splines, or arcs, or the center points of circles, arcs, or ellipses, Figures 11 thru 14

Shortcut menu displaying various options to dimension two points

Linear dimensioning of lines

Aligned Dimensioning
Used to dimension lines that are not parallel to the X or Y-axis Measures the actual distance of the aligned lines or the lines drawn at a certain angle, Figures 15 and 16

Aligned dimension of a line

Aligned dimension between two points

Angular Dimensioning
Used to dimension angles Angular Dimensioning Using Two Line Segments

Angular dimensioning

Vertically opposite angle

 Angular Dimensioning Using Three Points Angular Dimensioning of an Arc

Angular dimensioning using three points

Angular dimensioning of an arc

Diameter Dimensioning
Applied to dimension a circle or an arc to specify its diameter, Figures 23 and 24

Shortcut menu to apply a diameter dimension to an arc

Diameter dimensioning of a circle and an arc

Radius Dimensioning
Applied to dimension an arc or a circle to specify its radius, Figures 25 and 26

Shortcut menu to apply the radius dimension to a circle

Radius dimensioning of a circle and an arc

 CREATING DRIVEN DIMENSIONS

Ribbon: Sketch > Format > Driven Dimension

Driving dimension and driven dimension in a sketch

Modified driving dimension and dynamically updated driven dimension

CHAPTER 4
Edit sketches using various editing tools Create rectangular and circular patterns Write text in the sketching environment and convert it into a feature

Insert external images, Word documents, and Excel spreadsheets in

the sketching environment

 EDITING SKETCHED ENTITIES

Extending Sketched Entities
Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Modify > Extend 2D Sketch Panel > Extend

Line before and after extending it

Arc before and after extending it

Trimming Sketched Entities

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Modify > Trim 2D Sketch Panel > Trim

Selecting the curves for trimming

Sketch after trimming the curves

Splitting Sketched Entities

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Modify > Split 2D Sketch Panel > Split

Offsetting Sketched Entities

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Modify > Offset 2D Sketch Panel > Offset Figure 5 The offset shortcut menu

Mirroring Sketched Entities

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Pattern > Mirror 2D Sketch Panel > Mirror

Figure 8 The Mirror dialog box

Selecting the geometries to be mirrored about the mirror line

Sketch after mirroring the geometries and deleting the mirror line

Moving Sketched Entities

Moving the entities using the sketch points

Objects after moving

Figure 17 Moving and copying the entities using the center points of circles

Figure 18 Objects after moving and copying

Rotating Sketched Entities

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Modify > Rotate 2D Sketch Panel > Rotate

Options in the Rotate Dialog Box (a)Select (b)Center Point Area (c)Angle (d)Copy (e)Optimize for Single Selection
The Rotate dialog box

Rotation of the selected entities at various angles, Figure 20

Rotating the entities at various angles

 CREATING PATTERNS
An option of creating patterns of the sketched entities during the sketching stage itself Defined as the sequential arrangement of the copies of the selected entities

Creating Rectangular Patterns

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Pattern > Rectangular Pattern 2D Sketch Panel > Rectangular Pattern

Geometry Direction 1 Area Direction 2 Area

The Rectangular Pattern dialog box

Figure 22 Creating a rectangular pattern

More options in the Rectangular Pattern dialog box

Pattern created with the Fitted check box cleared

Pattern created with the Fitted check box selected

Creating Circular Patterns

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Pattern > Circular Pattern 2D Sketch Panel > Circular Pattern

The Circular Pattern dialog box

Geometry Axis Flip Count More

Figure 29 More options in the Circular Pattern dialog box

Pattern created with the Fitted check box selected

Pattern created with the Fitted check box cleared

 INSERTING IMAGES AND DOCUMENTS IN SKETCHES

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Insert > Insert Image 2D Sketch Panel > Insert Image

The Open dialog box

CHAPTER 5
Convert sketches into base features using the Extrude tool Convert sketches into base features using the Revolve tool

 CONVERTING THE BASE SKETCH INTO A BASE FEATURE

Tools such as Extrude, Revolve, Loft, Sweep, and so on are required to convert base sketches into base features

EXTRUDING THE SKETCH

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Extrude Part Features > Extrude

The Extrude dialog box

Shape Tab
Profile Solids

Output Area

Operation Area

Extents Area

Specifying the selection point inside the inner loop

Specifying the selection point between the inner and outer loops

More Tab

The More tab of the Extrude dialog box

 Taper

Extruding the model with a negative taper angle

Extruding the model with a positive taper angle

Model extruded with a positive taper angle and using the Symmetric option

 Join Cut Intersect

Choosing the Cut option from the mini toolbar

Extruding the sketch using the Join option

Extruding the sketch using the Cut option

Extruding the sketch using the Intersect option

Sketch extruded using the To Next option

Sketch extruded using the All option

Match shape

Sketch drawn on the offset plane

First side for extruding the profile

Second side for extruding the profile

Result with the Match shape check box selected

Result with the Match shape check box cleared

Sketch and termination face

Resulting extruded feature

Infer iMates

 REVOLVING THE SKETCH

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Revolve Part Features > Revolve

The Revolve dialog box

Shape Tab
Profile Output Area Axis Operation Area Solids Extents Area

Revolving the sketch through 360-degree

Revolving the sketch through 360-degree

 DIRECT MANIPULATION OF FEATURES BY USING THE MINI TOOLBAR

This toolbar is actually a user interface with combination of selection tags, command options, and manipulators.

Mini toolbar for the extrude feature

Mini toolbar for the revolve feature

CHAPTER 6
Learning Objectives
Create features on planes other than the default XY plane.
Create work features such as work planes, work axes, and work points. Use other extrusion and revolution options for creating models.

 NEED FOR OTHER SKETCHING PLANES

Mechanical designs consist of a number of sketched, work, and placed features integrated together such as cut feature, and a hole feature,

Model created by combining various features

Base feature for the model

Model after adding other features

Defining a New Sketching Plane

Specify the plane for drawing the sketch The selected plane will be automatically become the current sketching plane

 WORK FEATURES
Work Planes

Work Axes
Work Points

Creating Work Planes

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Work Features > Plane drop-down Part Features > Work Plane

The Plane drop-down showing various tools for creating work planes

Creating a Work Plane through Selected Objects

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Plane drop-down > Plane

The face and a point to be selected to define a work plane

The resulting work plane

Creating a Work Plane Using Two Coplanar Edges, Axes, or Lines

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Plane drop-down > Two Coplanar Edges

Selecting edges to define a work plane

Resulting work plane

Creating a Work Plane Using Three Vertices or Points Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Plane drop-down > Three Points

Vertices to be selected

Resulting work plane

Creating a Work Plane through an Edge/Axis and at an angle to a Plane/Planar Face

Ribbon:

Model > Work Features > Plane drop-down > Angle to Plane around Edge

An edge and a planar face selected to define a work plane at -30 degrees to the selected plane

A planar face and an edge selected to define a work plane parallel to the selected plane

Resulting work plane

Creating Work Axes

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Axis drop-down

Work axes are parametric axes that pass through a model or feature.

The Work Axis drop-down showing various tools for creating work axes

Creating a Work Axis through Selected Objects

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Axis drop-down > Axis

Creating a Work Axis passing through a Revolved or Cylindrical Feature

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Axis drop-down > Through Revolved Face or Feature

Work axis passing through the center of a circular feature

Creating a Work Axis Normal to a Plane/Planar Face and Passing through a Point
Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Axis drop-down > Normal to Plane through Point

Creating a work axis using a planar face and a sketched point

Creating Work Points

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Point drop-down

Work points are parametric points that can be created on an existing model.

The Work Point drop-down showing various tools for creating work points

Creating a Work Point at the Intersection of Two Edges/Axes

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Point drop-down > Intersection of Two Lines

Work point at the intersection of two edges

Creating a Work Point at the Intersection of Three Planes/Planar Faces

Ribbon: Model > Work Features > Work Point drop-down > Intersection of Three Planes

Work point at the intersection of three planes

CHAPTER7
Learning Objectives
Create various types of holes. Create fillets on a model. Chamfer edges of a model. Mirror features

Create rectangular patterns of features.

Create circular patterns of features. Create rib features.

Emboss or engrave sketched entities on a feature.

Use the Decal tool to transfer an image on a feature.

Creating Holes
Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Modify > Hole Part Feature > Hole

The Hole dialog box

 Placement Area
Linear From Sketch Concentric On Point

Hole placed using two linear edges

Hole placed on a center point

Preview of a hole placed concentric to the fillet

Direction defined using the top plane

Direction defined using the side plane

 Drilled
Used to create a drilled hole,.

Counterbore
A stepped hole and has two diameters: a bigger diameter and a smaller diameter,

Section view of a drilled hole

Section view of a counterbore hole

A counterbore hole without threads

A counterbore hole with threads

Creating Fillets
Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Modify > Fillet Part Features > Fillet

Creating Edge Fillets

The Fillet dialog box

Mini toolbar displayed on invoking the Fillet tool

 Constant Tab
Used to fillet the selected edges with constant radius, Figures 20 and 21.

Model with fillets

Model with rounds

 Variable Tab
Fillet the selected edges such that they can be applied different radii along their length, Figures 23 through 27.

The options in the Variable tab

Defining the fillet radius

Model after creating the fillet

Smooth transition

Linear transition

 Setbacks Tab
Smoothly blends the transition surfaces between the selected edges and the vertex that you define to fillet,

The options in the Setbacks tab

Fillet with setback =2

Fillet with setback =10

Fillet created with the Roll along sharp edges check box cleared

Fillet created with the Roll along sharp edges check box selected

Rolling ball fillet

Tangent fillet

Creating Face Fillets

Blends the first face with the second face.

The Fillet dialog box for creating the face fillet

 Help Point Area

Faces selected to create a face fillet

Resulting face fillet

Creating Full Round Fillets

Creates semicircular fillet between two side faces separated by a centre face,

 Side Face Set 1 Center Face Set Side Face Set 2

Faces to be selected to create the fillet

Resulting face fillet

Creating Chamfers
Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Modify > Chamfer Part Features > Chamfer

The Chamfer dialog box

Distance Distance and Angle Two Distances

Mini toolbar displayed on the selected edge on invoking the Chamfer tool

Model before chamfering

Model after chamfering

 >> (More)

The More options in the Chamfer dialog box

Chamfer with a setback

Chamfer without a setback

Mirroring Features and Models

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Pattern > Mirror Part Features > Mirror

The Mirror dialog box

 Mirroring Features

Selecting features to be mirrored and the mirror plane

Model after mirroring the features and hiding the work plane

 Mirroring Features

Selecting features to be mirrored and the mirror plane

Model after mirroring the features and hiding the work plane

Creating Rectangular Patterns

Ribbon: Model > Pattern > Rectangular Pattern Toolbar: Part Features > Rectangular Pattern

The Rectangular Pattern dialog box

Hole to be patterned

Model after creating the pattern

Creating Circular Patterns

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Pattern > Circular Pattern Part Features > Circular Pattern

Pattern individual features Pattern a solid Rotation Axis Midplane Creation Method Area

The expanded Circular Pattern dialog box

Model before creating the pattern

Model after creating the pattern

 Positioning Method Area

Model created using the Incremental radio button

Model created using the Fitted radio button

Creating Rib Features

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Rib Part Features > Rib

Sketch for the rib feature

The rib feature

The Rib dialog box

Shape Area Thickness Area

 Extents Area

Rib created by extending the sketch to the next face

Rib created by extending the sketch to a specified distance

Extended Profile Taper

Creating the Embossed and Engraved Features

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Emboss Part Features > Emboss

The Emboss dialog box

 Profile Solid Depth

Top Face Color Emboss from Face Engrave from Face

Embossed text

Engraved text

 Emboss/Engrave from Plane Direction Wrap to Face

Model with embossed/ engraved text

Bottle with an embossed text wrapped on the outer face

Applying Images on a Feature

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Decal Part Features > Decal

The Decal dialog box

Image wrapped on a bottle

 PROJECTING ENTITIES IN THE SKETCHING ENVIRONMENT

Projected edges are converted into sketched entities and can be used as a part of the sketch

Projecting Edges or Faces

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Project Geometry 2D Sketch Panel > ProjectGeometry

Tools in the Project Geometry drop-down

Sketch plane at the center of the model

Model after projecting the spline edge

Projecting Cutting Edges

Ribbon: Toolbar: Sketch > Draw > Project Geometry > Project Cut Edges 2D Sketch Panel > ProjectGeometry > ProjectCut Edges

Sketch plane at the center of the model

Sketch after projecting the cutting edges

CHAPTER 8
Learning Objectives
Create sweep features.
Create lofted features. Create coil features. Create internal or external threads. Create shell features. Apply drafts on the faces of a model. Split the faces of a model or a complete model. Delete the selected faces of the model.

 ADVANCED MODELING TOOLS

Creating Sweep Features
Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Sweep Part Features > Sweep

Resulting sweep feature

The Sweep dialog box

 Shape Area Output Area

Operation Area

Profile and path curves created for the sweep feature

Join and cut sweep features

 Optimize for Single Selection Type Area Creating Sweep Features by Using a Path Curve

Profile and path for the sweep feature

Sweep feature created using the Path radio button

Sweep feature created using the Parallel radio button

Sweep feature created with a positive taper angle

Sweep feature created with a negative taper angle

Creating Sweep Features by Using Path and Guide Curves

 Guide Rail Profile Scaling

The Type area with modified options

Profile, path, and guide curve for creating the sweep feature

Sweep feature scaled in both X and Y directions

Sweep feature scaled only in the X direction

Sweep feature with no scaling

 Creating Sweep Features by Using a Path and a Guide Surface

Profile and path for the sweep feature

Sweep feature created using the Path option

Creating Lofted Features

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Loft Part Features > Loft

Three dissimilar sketches drawn on parallel planes

Lofted feature created after blending the sketches

 Curves Tab

The Curves tab of the Loft dialog box Operation Area Sections Area Output Area

Rails

Sections and rails for the loft feature

Loft feature without selecting rails

Loft feature with rails

Closed Loop

Open-ended loft feature

Closed-ended loft feature

Merge Tangent Faces Center Line Area Loft

Sections and the center line for the loft feature

Loft without selecting the centerline

Loft with centerline

Sections and center line for the loft feature with default callouts

The new sections of the loft feature and their callouts

The Section Dimensions dialog box

Loft feature created by selecting the Rails radio button

Loft feature created by selecting the Area Loft radio button

 Conditions Tab

The Conditions tab of the Loft dialog box Free Condition

Tangent Condition

Loft feature with no end condition

Loft feature with tangent end condition

Smooth (G2) Condition

Loft with smooth end condition Direction Condition

Creating Coil Features

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Create > Coil Part Features > Coil

Profile and axis for creating a coil feature

 Coil Shape Tab

The Coil Shape tab of the Coil dialog box Shape Area

Join

Cut

Coil feature created on a cylinder using the Join operation

Coil feature created on a cylinder using the Cut operation

 Coil Size Tab

The Coil Size tab of the Coil dialog box

Type

Coil feature created with a positive taper angle

Coil feature created with a negative taper angle

Spiral coil

Creating Threads
Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Modify > Thread Part Features > Thread

Internal threads in a cylinder

External threads on a bolt

Creating Shell Features

Ribbon: Toolbar: Model > Modify > Shell Part Features > Shell

Model after creating the shell feature

The Shell tab of the Shell dialog box

 Remove Faces

Face selected to be removed

Resulting shelled model

Applying Drafts
Ribbon: Model > Modify > Draft Toolbar: Part Features > Draft

The Face Draft dialog box

 Fixed Edge

Fixed Plane

Various parameters associated with face draft

 Pull Direction/Fixed Plane Faces Draft Angle

Face draft with the pull direction upward

Face draft with the pull direction downward