In this Autodesk Inventor tutorial, we will learn about the basic techniques that will give a beginner, a quick start up knowledge of the software by developing the head of the ‘Piston’ model. In creation process of the model we will learn using interface of the software, Creating Basic 2D sketches, using Extruded Boss/Base Tool, Fillet Tool, Mirror Tool, Revolved Boss/Base Tool, Linear Pattern Tool, creating Planes, Saving views etc.
In this Autodesk Inventor tutorial we will learn about the basic techniques that will give a beginner, a quick start up knowledge of the software by developing a head of the ‘Piston’ model.
In creation process of the model we will learn about overall interface of the software, creating and using View Representation, Creating Basic 2D sketches, using Cylinder Tool, Extrude Tool, Fillet Tool, Mirror Tool, Hole Tool, Revolve Tool, Rectangular Pattern Tool, creating user defined Work Planes etc.
Transcription
Home Page Description
When we open the software first of all the home window is active.
From here we can start a new file. Which can be Part, Assembly, Drawing or Presentation file.
Starting the new file opens an English Template file.
From here Projects can be selected be selected. Currently Default project is selected. Project determines where the files will be saved on your hardware by default.
The Recent Documents shows the files on which you worked previously.
Starting a New File
Start a new Part file with a Metric Template.
All the file related information is mentioned here.
Software Interface Description
The Software window is open in front of us and we will discuss the interface of the software in brief.
This is called Title Bar and here the name of the software and the file currently open is displayed.
This is called Application button by clicking it we will be able to see the option for creating and using the files.
You can say basic file operation function are available here.
Here also the recently used file are displayed.
This is called Quick Access Toolbar where frequently used operations can be found. Here also you can add additional items according to your preference.
These are tabs where different types of tools are grouped.
For an example in this 3D modeling Tab most frequently used features and operation like,2D or 3D sketch, Extrude, Revolve, Sweep Loft, Fillet, Holes etc. are available…
In the same way there are other tabs like sketching, Inspect, Tools, Manage View Environment, etc. that are used time to time and other tabs that are automatically active when we use specific operations.
In the tab specified tools are grouped in the panels. In these panels where you see an arrow click it to expand it to find additional tools.
There are additional panel which can be added also.
This is the Help and command Search box form where you can search for help online/offline and specified tool location in the software.
This is View Cube which manipulate the view of the model so that you can rotate your design and position it based on the standard views.
This is Navigation Bar which offers tools like Full Navigation Wheel, Pan, Zoom, Free Orbit, Look at tools and additionally you can add more tools.
The center area is called design window where sketches and 3D model is displayed.
This place is called Status Bar which provides useful help related to the activities performed in the software.
Here is our Browser Bar which contains name of the active file, origin folders, Representations and part features modeling history.
Detailed Part Modeling Steps
Add an additional Panel named Primitives if it is not present.
Activate Cylinder Tool.
Select the XZ plane to draw a sketch.
Draw a sketch coincident with the origin along with dimension displayed.
Extrude Tool is active so in its dialogue box fill the distance value and execute the command.
Change the colour of the model as per your wish by using Appearance Browser.
Adjust the lightning setting of the file.
Here we are importing and using a previously saved setting of lightning to save the time.
Save the file with the name ‘Piston’.
Now create new View Representation.
Activate the Half Section View Command along YZ Plane.
Switch between to Master View and View1 representations quite a few times to feel the difference. By creating a new View Representation we have saved two view setting that can be changed at any moment at our convenience.
Again activate Cylinder Tool and select the XZ plane to draw a sketch.
Activate Wireframe Mode.
Draw a sketch as displayed along with dimension displayed.
Extrude Tool is active and cut option is selected by default so fill the cut distance value and execute the command.
Change the View Style to Shaded with Hidden Edges.
By doing so internal wall edge is displayed in shaded mode also.
Activate the View1 to display the internal view of the model.
Activate the Fillet Tool.
Edge Fillet type is active by default.
Next fill the Radius Value.
Select the following edge of the model as displayed and execute the command.
Activate the Master view representation and watch the full model.
Now activate the Shaded with Edges Visual Style to turn off the display of the hidden edges of the model.
Switch to View1 representation and activate Offset from Plane to create a new user defiled Work Plane.
Select the YZ Plane and fill the offset length as displayed.
Specify a new name ‘Pin_Pln’ to the newly created Work Plane.
Create a new sketch over YZ Plane.
Take the project of Pin_Pln and XY plane in the sketch and convert them into Construction Geometry and Centerline in that order.
Draw the sketch as displayed by using Line tool.
Apply dimensions as shown here.
Apply fillet between the lines along with dimensions shown.
Duplicate the drawn sketch on the other side by using Mirror Tool.
The sketch is complete so exit from the sketching mode.
Activate the Extrude command and select the both closed sketch profile.
In the Extents field select ‘All’ option and Extrude direction will be symmetric.
Click ok to execute the command.
Check the view of the model in Master view representation.
Switch back to View1 representation and create a new sketch over YZ Plane.
Activate Project Cut Edges command to project the model edges intersecting the active sketch plane into the sketch.
Convert the projected sketch into construction geometry.
Activate the Offset Tool and deactivate the Loop Select option if active from the right click context menu.
Select these lines and execute the command as shown.
Apply following constraints and dimensions as displayed.
Create a Centerline in the sketch by projecting XY plane.
Duplicate the sketch to the other side by using Mirror Tool as displayed.
The sketch is complete so exit from the sketching mode.
Activate the Extrude Tool and select both the closed sketched profile.
Apply the Cut option and others settings in the extrude dialogue box as displayed.
Execute the command.
Observe the resulting model.
Lock the View1 representation and create a new View Representation.
End the currently active Half Section View and activate a new Half Section View along XY plane.
Switch between all three view representations and watch the different look of the model camera positons.
Rotate the view of the model and create a new sketch on XY plane.
Create a sketch as displayed in the same manner as done previously.
The sketch is complete so exit from the sketching mode.
Create an Extrude feature on the basis of currently created closed sketch profile which joins the two sides of the model.
Deactivate the Half Section View to observe the resulting feature.
Reactivate Half Section View along XY plane and open the visibility of last drawn sketch profile to reuse it.
On the basis of this sketch profile create another Extrude feature to remove material form the model as displayed.
Now close the visibility of the Sketch5 and switch to the Master View Representation.
Create a new sketch over following face of the model as displayed.
On the basis of this sketch create an Extrude Feature.
Activate the Mirror tool and duplicate the currently created Extrude feature to the other side of the model along XY plane.
Activate Hole Tool.
In the Hole dialogue box under Placement Field select Concentric option.
Next define the placement plane of the Hole by selecting it.
Select the circular edge to define the Concentric Reference.
The Hole type is selected Simple Hole and Drilled by default.
Fill the diameter of the hole, check Through All option is selected in termination field and execute the command.
In Navigation Bar add previous view command if it is not present, this command is quite useful option.
Activate Fillet Tool and apply the fillet along with dimension over following edges.
Follow the same sequence in selecting the edges to get the required result.
Rotate the view of the model and create a sketch over YZ plane.
Create a sketch as displayed after activating Slice command.
Activate Revolve Tool, you can see the Profile and Axis is automatic selected so activate Cut option and execute the command.
Change the view of the model and activate Rectangular Tool.
Select the Revolve feature from the Browser Bar.
Select Y axis to define the direction for the pattern.
Fill the no. of parts to be patterned in the column count box and in column spacing input box fill the spacing between the parts, next hit enter to execute the command.
Create a sketch over top face of the model and apply an Extrude feature to remove material form the model.
Creating a Notch of Mug-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)
In this exercise, we are using a partially constructed model of ‘Mug-Plastic’. We will take help of 2D&3D sketches, work planes, work points, 3D surfaces by using boundary patch tool and sculpt feature to complete the model.
Application of ‘Loft’ tool Ex.2--Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)
In this exercise, we are using a partially constructed model of ‘Mug-Plastic’. We will create a Handle on the curve surface of the model, for this we will add some 2D sketches, work planes and Loft feature.
Application of ‘Contour Flange’ & ‘Contour Roll’ tool-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio)
Transcription of Video
This is the model of Square Bend Tube that is created by us earlier. A full-fledged video related to this can be found on our You Tube Channel.
Here from the Browser Bar you can check the history of its modelling. Contour Flange and Contour Roll were used to create this model.
In this video we will describe about the aforesaid features and show how they work.
Contour Flange Feature
Contour Flange tool is available on Create panel of Sheet Metal Tab.
Contour Flange is used when you have created an open sketch profile with the help of lines, arcs, splines or elliptical arcs etc. and you want to create a flange on basis of it.
When you want to create a flange on basis of a sketch profile created with the help of lines, arcs, splines or elliptical arcs etc. then Contour Flange is used.
The most important requirement for this tool is an open sketch profile; you cannot use this tool with a closed sketch profile.
Contour Flange applied in the modelling of Square Bend Tube (First instance)
This is the open sketch profile that is used for flange creation.
After activating the Contour Flange Tool, select the sketch profile that is visible in the graphics window.
Distance is automatically set as Width Extents Type.
Distance value 200 mm is filled already.
From here you can flip the extent direction.
Click OK to create the Contour Flange feature.
Contour Flange applied in the modelling of Square Bend Tube (Second instance)
This time the visible projected edge of the model will be used to create sheet metal flange.
Activate the tool and select the visible sketch having the projected edges of the model.
Expand the more button to find additional option of Contour Flange dialogue box.
Set the Width Extents Type to Distance.
Fill the distance value 200 mm.
Click OK to create the Contour Flange feature.
Contour Roll Feature
Contour Roll Feature is used to revolve an open sketch profile around an axis to develop a sheet metal flange.
This tool is available on the Create panel of Sheet Metal Tab.
Contour Roll applied in the modelling of Square Bend Tube (First instance)
This is the open sketch profile consisting projected model edges and an axis.
After activating the Contour Roll Tool, select the sketch profile visible in the graphics window.
Now Axis selection is active so select the axis for revolution.
Fill 30 degree in Rolled Angle input box.
Click OK to close the Contour Roll dialogue box.
Contour Roll applied in the modelling of Square Bend Tube (Second instance)
This time the visible projected edge of the model will be used to create sheet metal flange.
Activate the Contour Roll Tool and follow the same procedure, as applied earlier to create the Contour Roll feature.
Application of ‘Circular Pattern’ tool-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)
Transcription of Video
This is the model of Twist Drill that is created by us earlier. A full-fledged video related to this can be found on our You Tube Channel.
Here from the Browser Bar you can check the history of its modelling. A lot of 2D sketches, Extrude, Coil features, Work features and Circular Pattern were utilized to create this model.
In this video we will describe about the Circular Pattern Tool that was used three times in its modelling. Watch the video to understand how the tool works.
Circular Pattern tool duplicates one or more features and arrange the resulting occurrences by a specific count and spacing in a circular path.
This tool is available on Pattern Panel of Model Tab.
First Circular Pattern Applied in the modeling of Twist Drill
After activating the Circular Pattern tool the Coil1 and Extrude2 are being selected as feature for the duplication.
Z axis of the model has been selected as axis of revolution.
The number of occurrences in the pattern is 2.
Degree of rotation is 180.
After clicking the ok button the result is in front of you. A duplicate feature is created easily.
Watch the past and current position of the model by suppressing and un-supressing the feature.
Second Circular Pattern Applied in the modeling of Twist Drill.
This time Extrude4 is selected as feature and the Rotation of Axis is same that is the Z axis of the model.
The Occurrence count will be 2 and the Occurrence angle180 degree.
After clicking the ok button the duplicate feature is created.
Third Circular Pattern Applied in the modeling of Twist Drill.
This time two Coil features are selected for the duplication.
All the other specifications of the Circular pattern will be the same as previous ones.
Pencil (Autodesk Inventor 2010) In this tutorial we would create a model named Pencil. It is created in part modelling environment of Autodesk Inventor. We would just create some 2D sketches and use Extruded Tool and Loft Tool to form a solid. Then would use ‘Split Tool’ to cut its surface to give separate colours over the model. In the end using the Emboss Tool we would write some text over its surface.