Autodesk Inventor Beginners Tutorial || Piston

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

1. When we open the software first of all the home window is active.
2. From here we can start a new file. Which can be Part, Assembly, Drawing or Presentation file.
3. Starting the new file opens an English Template file.
4. 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.
5. The Recent Documents shows the files on which you worked previously.

Starting a New File

1. Start a new Part file with a Metric Template.
2. All the file related information is mentioned here.

Software Interface Description

1. The Software window is open in front of us and we will discuss the interface of the software in brief.
2. This is called Title Bar and here the name of the software and the file currently open is displayed.
3. This is called Application button by clicking it we will be able to see the option for creating and using the files.
4. You can say basic file operation function are available here.
5. Here also the recently used file are displayed.
6. This is called Quick Access Toolbar where frequently used operations can be found. Here also you can add additional items according to your preference.
7. These are tabs where different types of tools are grouped.
8. 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…
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. There are additional panel which can be added also.
12. This is the Help and command Search box form where you can search for help online/offline and specified tool location in the software.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. The center area is called design window where sketches and 3D model is displayed.
16. This place is called Status Bar which provides useful help related to the activities performed in the software.
17. Here is our Browser Bar which contains name of the active file, origin folders, Representations and part features modeling history.

Detailed Part Modeling Steps

1. Add an additional Panel named Primitives if it is not present.
2. Activate Cylinder Tool.
3. Select the XZ plane to draw a sketch.
4. Draw a sketch coincident with the origin along with dimension displayed.
5. Extrude Tool is active so in its dialogue box fill the distance value and execute the command.
6. Change the colour of the model as per your wish by using Appearance Browser.
7. Adjust the lightning setting of the file.
8. Here we are importing and using a previously saved setting of lightning to save the time.
9. Save the file with the name ‘Piston’.
10. Now create new View Representation.
11. Activate the Half Section View Command along YZ Plane.
12. 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.
13. Again activate Cylinder Tool and select the XZ plane to draw a sketch.
14. Activate Wireframe Mode.
15. Draw a sketch as displayed along with dimension displayed.
16. Extrude Tool is active and cut option is selected by default so fill the cut distance value and execute the command.
17. Change the View Style to Shaded with Hidden Edges.
18. By doing so internal wall edge is displayed in shaded mode also.
19. Activate the View1 to display the internal view of the model.
20. Activate the Fillet Tool.
21. Edge Fillet type is active by default.
22. Next fill the Radius Value.
23. Select the following edge of the model as displayed and execute the command.
24. Activate the Master view representation and watch the full model.
25. Now activate the Shaded with Edges Visual Style to turn off the display of the hidden edges of the model.
26. Switch to View1 representation and activate Offset from Plane to create a new user defiled Work Plane.
27. Select the YZ Plane and fill the offset length as displayed.
28. Specify a new name ‘Pin_Pln’ to the newly created Work Plane.
29. Create a new sketch over YZ Plane.
30. Take the project of Pin_Pln and XY plane in the sketch and convert them into Construction Geometry and Centerline in that order.
31. Draw the sketch as displayed by using Line tool.
32. Apply dimensions as shown here.
33. Apply fillet between the lines along with dimensions shown.
34. Duplicate the drawn sketch on the other side by using Mirror Tool.
35. The sketch is complete so exit from the sketching mode.
36. Activate the Extrude command and select the both closed sketch profile.
37. In the Extents field select ‘All’ option and Extrude direction will be symmetric.
38. Click ok to execute the command.
39. Check the view of the model in Master view representation.
40. Switch back to View1 representation and create a new sketch over YZ Plane.
41. Activate Project Cut Edges command to project the model edges intersecting the active sketch plane into the sketch.
42. Convert the projected sketch into construction geometry.
43. Activate the Offset Tool and deactivate the Loop Select option if active from the right click context menu.
44. Select these lines and execute the command as shown.
45. Apply following constraints and dimensions as displayed.
46. Create a Centerline in the sketch by projecting XY plane.
47. Duplicate the sketch to the other side by using Mirror Tool as displayed.
48. The sketch is complete so exit from the sketching mode.
49. Activate the Extrude Tool and select both the closed sketched profile.
50. Apply the Cut option and others settings in the extrude dialogue box as displayed.
51. Execute the command.
52. Observe the resulting model.
53. Lock the View1 representation and create a new View Representation.
54. End the currently active Half Section View and activate a new Half Section View along XY plane.
55. Switch between all three view representations and watch the different look of the model camera positons.
56. Rotate the view of the model and create a new sketch on XY plane.
57. Create a sketch as displayed in the same manner as done previously.
58. The sketch is complete so exit from the sketching mode.
59. Create an Extrude feature on the basis of currently created closed sketch profile which joins the two sides of the model.
60. Deactivate the Half Section View to observe the resulting feature.
61. Reactivate Half Section View along XY plane and open the visibility of last drawn sketch profile to reuse it.
62. On the basis of this sketch profile create another Extrude feature to remove material form the model as displayed.
63. Now close the visibility of the Sketch5 and switch to the Master View Representation.
64. Create a new sketch over following face of the model as displayed.
65. On the basis of this sketch create an Extrude Feature.
66. Activate the Mirror tool and duplicate the currently created Extrude feature to the other side of the model along XY plane.
67. Activate Hole Tool.
68. In the Hole dialogue box under Placement Field select Concentric option.
69. Next define the placement plane of the Hole by selecting it.
70. Select the circular edge to define the Concentric Reference.
71. The Hole type is selected Simple Hole and Drilled by default.
72. Fill the diameter of the hole, check Through All option is selected in termination field and execute the command.
73. In Navigation Bar add previous view command if it is not present, this command is quite useful option.
74. Activate Fillet Tool and apply the fillet along with dimension over following edges.
75. Follow the same sequence in selecting the edges to get the required result.
76. Rotate the view of the model and create a sketch over YZ plane.
77. Create a sketch as displayed after activating Slice command.
78. Activate Revolve Tool, you can see the Profile and Axis is automatic selected so activate Cut option and execute the command.
79. Change the view of the model and activate Rectangular Tool.
80. Select the Revolve feature from the Browser Bar.
81. Select Y axis to define the direction for the pattern.
82. 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.
83. Create a sketch over top face of the model and apply an Extrude feature to remove material form the model.

Get the finished model file by visiting the following link:- http://bit.ly/2r9mJAV

Autodesk Inventor Basic Tutorial - Loft Feature

In this tutorial we would learn about the Loft feature of Autodesk Inventor by developing a solid named Hammer Head.  This feature is used, when we want to create a solid by joining more than one closed profile. Sometimes optional rails and points are used that help in controlling the final outcome.

Addition to this creation process of new Work Planes, Copy/ Paste function of sketches and many more things are displayed.

Click the following link to get the model file: - http://bit.ly/2CcL5Ms






(Tutorial Concept Courtesy – Default SolidWorks Software Help)

Creating a Notch of Mug-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)

Serial No. 201

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.

 

Click the following link to get the model file: - http://bit.ly/2osv0P9

 

 

Transcription of Video

1. Open the file of ‘Mug-Plastic’.
2. At present a surface is visible in the design window which is created with the help of Revolve Tool.
3. Open the visibility of Sketch1 from the browser bar.
4. Create a new work plane on this point, perpendicular to Y Axis of the model.
5. Auto-Resize this work plane.
6. Create a sketch on the newly created Work Plane11.
7. Take the project of XY plane and top circular edge of the model with the help of Project Geometry Tool.
8. Convert all the projected edges into construction geometry.
9. Close the visibility of Sketch1 from the browser bar.
10. Now proceed ahead and draw a triangular shape geometry intact with the projected circular edge of the model.
11. The sketch is complete, so exit from the sketching environment.
12. Create a new work plane, parallel to Work Plane11 at an offset distance of 1.25 inches in downward direction.
13. Close the visibility of Work Plane11.
14. Create a new sketch on Work Plane12.
15. Take the project of the model by using Project Cut Edges tool.
16. And take the project of XY Plane with the help of Project Geometry tool.
17. Finish the 2D sketch.
18. Create a work point at the intersection of this line and circle.
19. In the same manner add three more work points at the vertices of the triangular shaped geometry.
20. Close the visibility of Work Plane12 and Sketch22.
21. Activate ‘New 3D Sketch’ command from the marking menu.
22. Create a 3D Line between Work Point5 and Work Point6.
23. Right click in the graphic window and finish the 3D sketch.
24. In the same way, create a 3D Line between Work Point5 and Work Point7 in a new 3D sketch.
25. At last connect the Work Point8 with the Work Point5 by following the same procedure.
26. Close the visibility of all Work Points.
27. Activate the ‘Boundary Patch’ tool from the Surface Panel of 3D Model Tab.
28. Boundary Patch dialogue is visible in the graphics window.
29. Select two 3D Lines and one edge of triangular shaped geometry for creating a new 3D surface.
30. Click Ok to create the Boundary Patch Feature.
31. Open the visibility of Sketch21 which is hidden under the Boundary Patch Feature.
32. Activate the Boundary Patch Tool once again.
33. This time select the edge of Boundary Patch4 and both visible lines to create another Boundary Feature.
34. Activate the ‘Extend Surface’ tool from the drop down list of Surface panel.
35. Extend Surface dialogue box is visible in the graphics window.
36. Edges selection is active by default.
37. Select this edge of Boundary Patch4 to extend the surface.
38. Leave the value of Extents distance as it is and click Ok to execute the command.
39. In the same manner Extend the other 3D surface created with the help of Boundary Patch5.
40. Close the visibility of Sketch21.
41. Open the visibility of Work Plane11.
42. Activate the ‘Sculpt’ tool from the Surface Panel of 3D Model Tab.
43. Sculpt tool dialogue box is visible in the graphics window.
44. Surfaces selection is active by default.
45. Right click in the graphics window and ‘Select All’ option from the context menu.
46. A preview of sculpt is visible in the graphic window.
47. Click OK to create the Sculpt feature.
48. Sculpt feature combined all the surfaces into a solid body.
49. Close the visibility of Work Plane11 and save the part file.
50. Create a new sketch on the top face of the model.
51. Convert the projected top edge of the model into construction geometry.
52. Duplicate this enclosed profile by using Offset tool.
53. And set the offset distance value 0.125 inch.
54. Exit from the sketching environment.
55. Activate the Extrude command from the marking menu.
56. Enclosed profile is automatically selected in the graphics window.
57. Drag the direction indicator in downward direction.
58. Set the distance value 0.0625 inch on the mini tool bar.
59. Select ‘Join’ operation.
60. Click the green check mark to execute the extrude command.
61. Rotate the model on the back side.
62. Create a new sketch on this face.
63. Duplicate the outer projected edge of the model by offset tool.
64. Enter the offset distance value 0.0625 inch.
65. Finish the 2D Sketch.
66. Extrude this profile 0.1875 inch.
67. Click Home View button over the View Cube.
68. Activate the Shell tool from the Modify panel of 3D Model tab.
69. Shell dialogue box is visible in the graphics window.
70. Remove Faces selection option is activated by default.
71. Select top face of the model to remove it.
72. The preview of shell is visible in the graphics window.
73. Set the Thickness value 0.0625 inch.
74. Click OK to execute the Shell feature.
75. Now the notch of Mug is complete.
76. Inspect the model with the help of ‘Cross Section Analysis’ tool.

Application of ‘Loft’ tool Ex.2--Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)

Serial No. 200

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.

 

 

Click the following link to get the model file: - http://bit.ly/2nNFfgo

 

 

 Transcription of Video

1. Open ‘Mug-Plastic’ part file.
2. Create a new work plane 0.25 inch below from the top face of the model.
3. Create a new sketch for upper portion of handle on the newly created work plane.
4. Right click in the graphics window and select Slice Graphics command.
5. Take the project of the model by using Project Cut Edges tool.
6. And with the help of Project Geometry tool, take the project of XY Plane.
7. Select all the sketches in the design window and convert them into construction geometry.
8. Now proceed further and draw a sketch with the given dimensions.
9. Exit from the sketching environment.
10. Close the visibility of Work Plane8 from the Browser Bar.
11. Create another work plane named 9, 3 inch below from the top face of the model.
12. Create a new sketch for lower portion of handle on Work Plane9.
13. Close the visibility of work plane and activate the Slice Graphics command.
14. Draw the sketch with the given dimensions.
15. Now the sketch is complete.
16. Finish the sketch.
17. Activate the ‘Loft’ tool.
18. Select the upper and lower sketch profiles in the graphics window.
19. Preview of Loft is visible.
20. Click OK to execute the loft feature.
21. Open the visibility of Sketch17 from the Browser Bar.
22. Create a new sketch on Work Plane8.
23. Take the project of these two lines and arc.
24. Draw a centre point arc between point1 and point2 (indicated by blue colour).
25. Close the visibility of Sketch17 from the browser bar.
26. Revert these two construction lines into regular lines.
27. Exit from the sketching environment.
28. Create a new work plane named 10, 0.0625 inch below from the top face of the handle.
29. Auto-Resize the work plane.
30. Create a new sketch on work plane 10.
31. Activate the Slice Graphics command.
32. Close the visibility of Work Plane10.
33. Take the project of the model by using Project Cut Edges tool.
34. And with the help of Project Geometry tool, take the project of XY plane.
35. Convert all the sketches in the graphics window into the construction geometry.
36. Draw the sketches as displayed.
37. Finish the sketch.
38. Activate the Loft tool once again.
39. Select the upper and lower enclosed profiles, created over the handle.
40. And click OK to execute the loft feature.
41. Now most of the portion of the handle is complete.
42. Save the part file.

Application of ‘Sweep’ tool and ‘Shell’ tool-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)

Serial No. 196

Application of ‘Sweep’ tool and ‘Shell’ tool-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)

In this exercise we will create a new part, related to our previously created full-fledged model ‘Elbow’.

In this part file we will create some 2D Sketches, work planes, sweep & shell features.

 

Click the following link to get the model file: - http://bit.ly/2nPe9Wf

 

 

Transcription of Video

1. Create a New Standard (in).ipt file.
2. Create a 2D Sketch on the XY Plane.
3. Draw a line of length 1.1875 inch, coincident with the auto projected part origin and parallel to X axis.
4. Right click in the graphics window and select ‘Create Line’ tool.
5. Click the green point in the graphics window as start point of the line.
6. And enter the value 1.1875 inch.
7. Right click in the graphics window and click OK to finish the command.
8. Create another line of length 1.1875 inch, parallel to Y axis and coincident with the origin.
9. Select these two lines and change the colour to White.
10. On the Ribbon click ‘Fillet’ icon on the Draw panel of Sketch tab.
11. 2D Fillet dialogue box is visible in the graphics window.
12. Enter the value 0.625 inch in the 2D fillet dialogue box.
13. And select these two lines in the graphics window to apply the fillet.
14. Right click in the graphics window and click OK to exit the command.
15. Finish the 2D Sketch.
16. On the Ribbon click ‘Plane’ icon on the Work Features panel of 3D Model tab.
17. Click one of the end points of the line and select this line in the graphics window.
18. Work Plane has been created, perpendicular to this line.
19. Create a new sketch on this Work Plane.
20. Draw a Circle of diameter 1 inch on the end point of the line.
21. Finish the 2D Sketch.
22. Activate the ‘Sweep’ tool from Create panel of 3D Model tab.
23. Sweep dialog box is visible in the graphics window.
24. Since there is only single closed profile, the profile drawn on sketch 2 is selected automatically.
25. The path selection button is active in the Sweep dialogue box.
26. Select the ‘Sketch1’ in the graphics window as sweep path.
27. Click OK to execute the Sweep feature.
28. Change the model colour to ‘Flaked Reflective – Beige’.
29. Save the Part file with the name ‘Elbow’.
30. On the Ribbon click ‘Shell’ tool icon on the Modify panel of 3D Model tab.
31. Shell dialog box is visible in the graphics window.
32. ‘Remove Faces’ selection button is activated by default.
33. Select both blue faces of the Elbow.
34. Enter the value 0.125 inch in the ‘Thickness’ field.
35. Click OK to apply the Shell feature.

Application of ‘Loft’ tool Ex.1-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)

Serial No. 195

Application of ‘Loft’ tool Ex.1-Autodesk Inventor 2013 (with caption and audio narration)

In this exercise, we are using a partially constructed assembly of ‘Grating for Gas Oven’. We will add some 2D sketches, work planes and a loft feature to proceed towards its completion.

 

Click the following link to get the model file: - http://bit.ly/2otrMLl 

 

 

 

Transcription of Video

1. Open the ‘Grating for Gas Oven’ (.iam) file.
2. Here a pre constructed ‘Part1’ is visible in this Assembly.
3. Activate the ‘Create Component’ tool to create a new part in the Assembly.
4. Select the XY Plane of the assembly as a base plane for the new component.
5. Create a new sketch on the XY Plane of the ‘Part2’.
6. Take the project of Part1 by using ‘Project Cut Edges’ tool.
7. Select the projected model edges in the graphics window and convert them into construction geometry.
8. On the Ribbon, click 'Finish Sketch' icon.
9. Now we will create a new work plane, parallel to YZ Plane of Part2 with the aid of ‘Offset from Plane’ tool.
10. Activate the ‘Offset from Plane’ tool from the Work Features panel of 3D Model tab.
11. Select YZ Plane of ‘Part 2’ from the Browser Bar.
12. Mini toolbar appears in the graphics window.
13. Drag the manipulator arrow button in the graphics window.
14. Enter the offset distance value (-1.875) inch.
15. Click OK to create a new work plane.
16. Create a new sketch on this work plane.
17. Take the project of bottom edge of the Part1 and Y Axis of Part2.
18. Convert both the projected edges into construction geometry.
19. Draw a rectangle of value 0.25 inch X 0.349 inch with the help of ‘Three Point Center Rectangle’ tool.
20. Apply a dimension of 0.2991 inch between center point of rectangle and projected edge of Part1.
21. Finish the 2D Sketch.
22. Create a new work plane parallel to Work Plane1 at an offset distance of 3.25 inch.
23. Close the visibility of Work Plane1.
24. Create a new sketch on Work Plane2.
25. Take the project of top line of previously drawn rectangle.
26. Close the visibility of Sketch1 and Sketch2 from the Browser Bar to clear the screen.
27. Take the project of Y Axis of Part2.
28. Create a new line of 0.4040 inch with the aid of Offset tool.
29. Apply a Coincident Constraint between midpoint of newly created line and projected Y Axis line.
30. Apply 0.59860 inch dimension between these lines.
31. Add two more lines to close the profile.
32. Finish the 2D Sketch.
33. Open the visibility of Sketch2 from the Browser Bar.
34. Activate the ‘Loft’ tool from Create panel of 3D Model tab.
35. Loft dialogue box is visible in the graphics window.
36. On the ‘Curves’ tab, specify the sections to loft.
37. Click under the ‘Sections’ heading and the select both the sketch profiles in the graphics window.
38. Click OK to execute the Loft feature.
39. Close the visibility of Sketch2 and Work Plane2 from the Browser Bar.
40. Change the colour of model to Steel.
41. Return back to the Assembly environment.